Scwʼexmx facts for kids
The Scwʼexmx (say it like "shkwa-kum") are a group of people known as the "people of the creek(s)". They are part of the larger Nlaka'pamux (Thompson) people. You can find them in the Nicola Country area of British Columbia, a province in Canada. The word "Scw'ex" means "creek" in their language, and it's also the name for the Nicola River.
The Scwʼexmx are often called the Nicola people in English. They share this name with the Spaxomin (also known as Spahomin), who are a branch of the Okanagan people. The Spaxomin live in the eastern part of the Nicola Valley. These two groups, the Scwʼexmx and the Spaxomin, have worked together for a very long time. Their alliance started even before Chief Nicola, who the river is named after. Chief Nicola's father led the Okanagan people into the valley in the late 1700s. The Scwʼexmx people also married into the Okanagan families. They also intermarried with the Nicola Athapaskans (Stu'wix), another group who moved into the valley in the 1600s, but this group no longer exists.
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Understanding the Scwʼexmx Language
The Scwʼexmx people speak a special dialect of Nle'kepmxcin. This language is known in English as the Thompson language. Sadly, this language is almost gone today. However, there is hope! Just like with other Indigenous languages in British Columbia, many people are working hard to teach it to new generations. These efforts help keep the language alive for the future.
Scwʼexmx Communities and Homes
The Scwʼexmx people live in several main communities. These communities are also recognized as First Nations. Here are some of their main homes:
- Shackan (Shackan First Nation)
- Shulus (Lower Nicola First Nation)
- Nooaitch (Nooaitch First Nation)
- Ntsla'tko (Coldwater First Nation)
How the Scwʼexmx Are Governed
The main government for the Scwʼexmx people is called the Nicola Tribal Association. This council helps manage things for the different First Nations. Besides the four communities listed above, the Nicola Tribal Association also includes:
- Upper Nicola First Nation - also known as the Spaxomin (Douglas Lake). This group is also part of the Okanagan Nation Alliance.
- Cook's Ferry First Nation near Spences Bridge
- Nicomen First Nation near Lytton
- Siska First Nation, located in the Fraser Canyon south of Lytton
There are other Nlaka'pamux groups who live outside the Nicola region. They belong to two other tribal councils:
See also
