Chief Hunter Jack facts for kids

Hunter Jack was a famous and important Indigenous leader from the Shalalth area in southwestern British Columbia. He lived in the Bridge River Country region and was known for his strong personality and many skills. He passed away in 1905.

Who Was Hunter Jack?

Hunter Jack's real name was Jack Tashpola or Tash Poli. He was born near a place called 22-Mile post, close to Pavilion, British Columbia. People knew him by different names, including "chief of D'Arcy" and "We Enkekti." He was most famous as Hunter Jack. Stories passed down through generations say he was a hero who helped bring peace between different First Nations groups and also with Chinese miners in the area. However, old newspaper reports show he was also a very strong-willed person who could be quite intimidating if someone got in his way.

A Skilled Hunter and Trapper

Hunter Jack was an amazing hunter, especially of big game animals. He spent a lot of time trapping and hunting in the Bridge River Country. He was also a fantastic storyteller and loved to tell tales of how he bravely faced wild animals. He often helped guides who took "trophy hunters" (people who hunt for sport and to collect animal parts as trophies) to the Lillooet area.

In the 1880s, he met a visiting hunter named Captain Edward Seymour, who later became an Admiral in the navy. Captain Seymour was so impressed by Hunter Jack that he sent him a special flag and a naval uniform as gifts! Hunter Jack proudly flew the flag outside his cabin and wore the uniform on important occasions. People in the area respected his leadership and didn't question his special status. He also played a very important role in the local meat trade, controlling much of the business.

Finding Gold: Hunter Jack as a Miner

Hunter Jack was one of the most successful "placer miners" in his region. Placer mining is a way of finding gold by sifting through sand and gravel in riverbeds. He didn't live on a reserve but had his own cabin near where the Hurley River meets another river.

He was known for holding special gatherings called "potlatches." These were traditional feasts and ceremonies where Indigenous people celebrated important events. At his potlatches, Hunter Jack would give gold nuggets to his guests, which was a sign of his wealth and generosity. He was very protective of his mining areas, especially around Marshall Creek and Tyaughton Creek. Many people believed he found most of his gold near the head of Tyax (Tyaughton) Creek. Years later, in 1913, old wooden sluice boxes (tools used for placer mining) were found in an area that might have been where Hunter Jack discovered his impressive gold.

Operating a Ferry

In the late 1800s, Hunter Jack also operated the first ferry across the upper Bridge River for a while. This was a toll operation, meaning people paid him to cross. He used a canoe to carry passengers and supplies, but horses had to swim across the river!

His Final Journey

In 1905, Hunter Jack and his son, William, were in a boat on Seton Lake. The water was rough near the shore. Hunter Jack tried to stand up several times but fell, hitting his head on the boat. William managed to get his father to shore and built a fire to keep him warm. William then went to a house about two miles away to get help and warm himself. When he returned alone, he found his father had passed away. Hunter Jack was about 70 years old. He was buried at D’Arcy, and his son, Thomas Jack, became the hereditary chief after him.