Spuzzum First Nation facts for kids
Spuzzum First Nation (Thompson: Spô’zêm) is a First Nation government made up of Nlaka'pamux people. They live near a place called Spuzzum, British Columbia. This First Nation is part of the Fraser Canyon Indian Administration. This group is one of three main tribal councils for the Nlaka'pamux people. Other members of this administration include the Kanaka Bar, Skuppah, and Nicomen First Nation. The Nicomen First Nation is also part of the Nicola Tribal Association.
The main community and offices for the Spuzzum First Nation are located right in Spuzzum. This area is in the lower part of the Fraser Canyon. It's close to the Alexandra Bridge and about 10 miles north of Yale. Other Nlaka'pamux governments belong to either the Nicola Tribal Association or the Nlaka'pamux Nation Tribal Council.
Contents
A Look Back in Time: History of Spuzzum First Nation
In 1858, the chief of the Spuzzum people was named Kowpelst, also known as "White Hat." He was one of the first people to work at a place called Hill's Bar when the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush began. He was seen as a "friendly Indian" during the Fraser Canyon War that happened later that year. This war was between American miners and the Nlaka'pamux people who lived further up the river in a place called Camchin.
Sir James Douglas, an important leader at the time, made Chief Kowpelst a magistrate. This meant he had the power to make legal decisions. During the Fraser Canyon War, many miners were scared of the Nlaka'pamux people upriver. Thousands of them gathered at Spuzzum. Even though the Spuzzum people were considered friendly, some of their villages and food storage areas were destroyed by armed miners coming from Yale.
Home Lands: Spuzzum Reserves
The Spuzzum First Nation has sixteen different reserve lands. These lands vary a lot in size. Together, they cover about 648 hectares (which is about 2.5 square miles). The two largest reserves, Spuzzum 1 and 1a, are on the west side of the Fraser River. They are located near where Spuzzum Creek flows into the river.
| Name | Hectares |
|---|---|
| Chapman's Bar 10 | 2.80 |
| Long Tunnel 5 | 2.60 |
| Long Tunnel 5a | 35.90 |
| Papsilqua 2 | 16.60 |
| Papsilqua 2A | 27.70 |
| Papsilqua 2B | 20.30 |
| Saddle Rock 9 | 32 |
| Skuet 6 | 4.70 |
| Spuzzum 1 | 125.30 |
| Spuzzum 1A | 126.50 |
| Spuzzum 7 | 46.10 |
| Stout 8 | 47.90 |
| Teequaloose 3 | 7.70 |
| Teequaloose 3A | 60.40 |
| Yelakin 4 | 26.80 |
| Yelakin 4A | 64.70 |
| Combined area | 648 |
Important People from Spuzzum
Many talented people come from the Spuzzum First Nation. Some well-known individuals include:
- Annie York
- Carl Stromquist
- Brenda Crabtree, who is a Spuzzum weaver. She teaches at the Emily Carr University of Art and Design.
Leaders: Chief and Councillors
The Spuzzum First Nation is led by a Chief and Councillors. On June 13, 2020, James Hobart was elected as Chief. Diana Stromquist and Angie Mitchell were elected as Councillors. These leaders work to represent and guide their community.
Community Numbers: Demographics
In 1878, a count of people living in Spuzzum and nearby villages found 237 residents. The 1881 census, which is a government count, listed only 146 people. However, this number might not be completely accurate. This was during the time the Canadian Pacific Railway was being built. It was likely a period when the community had its largest population. Other guesses suggest that around 400 Indigenous people lived there at that time.
As of September 2015, the Spuzzum First Nation had 274 people officially registered as members. Out of these, 46 people lived on the reserve lands.
See also
