Cunningham Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cunningham Lake |
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 Cunningham Lake
Location in British Columbia
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| Location | British Columbia |
| Coordinates | 54°35′N 125°20′W / 54.583°N 125.333°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Basin countries | Canada |
| Average depth | 4 m (13 ft) |
| Residence time | 77 days |
| Shore length1 | 13 km (8.1 mi) |
| Surface elevation | 1,100 m (3,600 ft) |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Cunningham Lake is a beautiful lake located in British Columbia, Canada. It's also known as Yeko Bun in the Carrier language, spoken by the local Indigenous peoples. This special lake is about 91 kilometers (about 56 miles) from Fort St. James. A stream called Nankut Creek connects Cunningham Lake to Stuart Lake.
About Cunningham Lake
Cunningham Lake is more than just a body of water. It's also the name of a quiet little village nearby. For thousands of years, the Yekoochet'en people and other Indigenous groups have used this area as a summer and fall camp. It's a place rich in history and culture.
A Special Place for People
The Yekooche people have a deep connection to this area. Their very name comes from the lake! Ye Koo refers to Yeko Bun (Cunningham Lake). And Che describes the end part of Nankut Creek. This shows how important the lake and its surroundings are to their identity.
There's also a special area called Cunningham Lake Indian Reserve No. 11 on the south shore of the lake. The Tl'azt'en Nation knows it as Ye Koos Lee Indian Reserve 11. This land is very important to the local Indigenous communities.
Animals and Food
Cunningham Lake and the land around it provide many important resources. It's a great place to find food and other supplies. Local hunters can find:
People often dry or can this food to save it for the winter months. In the past, they would trade these foods in Fort St. James for things like sugar, flour, and rice. The area also provides hay, which is food for cows and horses.
Exploring the Lake
There are a few interesting spots around Cunningham Lake:
- Ruby Rock: This is a small island. The Joseph brothers, who run a hunting and fishing guide company, use this island.
- Yekoosle: This is a small piece of land that sticks out into the lake, like a mini-peninsula. Families from the Yekooche First Nation own cabins here.
- Small Cabins: The Joseph brothers also have small cabins on the nearby reservation. They use these cabins when they are haying (collecting hay) or hunting.
At night, if you visit Cunningham Lake, you might hear the beautiful calls of loons in the distance. You might also hear the exciting howls of wolves and coyotes. It's a truly wild and peaceful place!
