Kwah facts for kids

Kwah was a very important leader of the Carrier people. His real name was Kw'eh. He was born around 1755 and passed away in 1840.

Chief Kw'eh was the leader of his family's traditional territory, called a keyoh. His keyoh was known as Nak'azdli, which is now the Nak'azdli Band. Back in his time, not many people lived at Nak'azdli, also known as Fort St. James. People started moving there because of a fur trading post built by the North West Company in 1806. This company later became the famous Hudson's Bay Company.

A Powerful Leader

Chief Kwah was a powerful Keyoh Chief. His family's land was located along the Stuart River. The Keyoh system is an old way the Carrier people managed their land and families. It has been used for at least 500 years!

The Keyoh System

Each keyoh was made up of a large extended family. A special Keyoh Chief, also called a Holder, was chosen based on their traditions. Chief Kw'eh held a very important noble name within his clan. Clans were introduced in the 1800s to help people organize large gatherings and funerals.

Meeting Explorers

In 1806, Chief Kw'eh met the famous explorer Simon Fraser. Carrier people helped Fraser when his canoes got stuck near Tsaooche village, another family's keyoh in Sowchea Bay. To show his thanks, Simon Fraser gave Chief Kw'eh some special red cloth.

A Wise Decision

Chief Kw'eh is also remembered for a big event in 1828. He chose to spare the life of a fur trader named James Douglas. Douglas had been his prisoner. Later, James Douglas became the first governor of the united Colony of British Columbia.

Chief Kw'eh was also known for having an iron dagger before the first Europeans arrived in his area. This dagger was likely traded from the coast. Many Carrier people living in the Stuart Lake area today are descendants of Chief Kw'eh.