Brunette River facts for kids
The Brunette River is a cool waterway that flows through parts of Burnaby, New Westminster, and Coquitlam. It starts from Burnaby Lake and makes its way to the big Fraser River. This river has a long and interesting history, especially for the people who lived here a very long time ago.
A River of History
Long before European settlers arrived, the area around the Brunette River was a busy place for Indigenous peoples. Groups like the Squamish, Musqueam, and Kwantlen often used this land. They found many good spots for hunting animals and catching fish. Evidence like old campsites and even some rock carvings (pictures carved into rocks) show how important these lands and waters were to them.
The First European Settler
The first known European person to settle near the Brunette River was William Holmes. He arrived in 1860 and built his home close to where North Road is today. He was the one who gave the river its name, "Brunette," because of its brownish, peaty colour.
Amazing Salmon Runs
William Holmes's daughter, Charlotte, shared some amazing stories about the river. She remembered that local Indigenous families would visit their farm every year. They came to catch and dry huge amounts of salmon for their winter food. Charlotte said there were so many salmon in the Brunette River that they crowded each other out of the water. She even joked that if you stood still, you could have walked across the river without getting your shoes wet because of all the fish! This shows how rich the river was with wildlife in the past.
