Kanaka Bar First Nation facts for kids
The Kanaka Bar First Nation (which is called T'eqt'aqtn'mux in the Thompson language) is a group of Indigenous people who live in British Columbia, Canada. Their main community, Kanaka Bar, is located in the beautiful Fraser Canyon, between the towns of Boston Bar and Lytton. They are part of the Nlaka'pamux people and work together with other nearby First Nations like the Spuzzum, Skuppah, and Nicomen First Nations through the Fraser Canyon Indian Administration. Other Nlaka'pamux groups are part of the Nicola Tribal Association or the Nlaka'pamux Nation Tribal Council.
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What "Kanaka" Means
Have you ever wondered where the name "Kanaka Bar" comes from? "Kanaka" was a word used a long time ago, especially in the Pacific islands and Australia, to describe someone who worked with their hands. It could mean "free man," but sometimes it meant someone who worked as an indentured servant.
During the gold rush in the Fraser Canyon, many people from Hawaii came to work. In their own language, Hawaiians often called themselves kanaka, meaning "local guy." Because so many Hawaiians worked on the gold-rich sandbars in this area, one particular spot on the Fraser River became known as Kanaka Bar.
Kanaka Bar First Nation Reserves
The Kanaka Bar First Nation manages several important land areas called reserves. These reserves are:
- Nekliptum Indian Reserve No. 1
- Kanaka Bar Indian Reserve No. 1A
- Kanaka Bar Indian Reserve No. 2
- Pegleg Indian Reserve No. 3
- Pegleg Indian Reserve No. 3A
- Whyeek Indian Reserve No. 4
These reserves are important for the community's homes, culture, and future.
Economic Development
The Kanaka Bar First Nation is involved in projects that help their community grow and become stronger.
Hydroelectric Projects
One major project is the Kwoiek Creek Hydroelectric Project. This project uses the natural flow of water to create electricity.
About the Kwoiek Creek Project
The Kwoiek Creek Hydroelectric Project is a "run-of-river" project. This means it uses the natural flow of Kwoiek Creek, a stream that flows into the Fraser River. It doesn't need a large dam. The project is located about 14 km (9 mi) south of Lytton, British Columbia.
The project includes special equipment to take water from the creek, a buried pipe called a penstock, and a powerhouse. The powerhouse is located on the Kanaka Bar Indian Band's Whyeek Indian Reserve No. 4. The electricity made here travels through an 80 km (50 mi) long power line to a BC Hydro station.
Partnership and Progress
This important project is a partnership between the Kanaka Bar Indian Band (KBIB) and Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. Together, they formed Kwoiek Creek Resources Limited Partnership (KCRLP).
The project has received many important approvals. In 2006, they got an agreement to sell electricity to BC Hydro. In 2009, they received an Environmental Assessment Certificate, which means experts checked that the project was safe for the environment. Construction on the access roads for the project started in June 2011.
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