Welcome

History:

The Simpcw are a division of the Secwepemc, or Shuswap, who occupied the drainage of the North Thompson River upstream from McLure to the headwaters of Fraser River from McBride to Tete Jeune Cache, over to Jasper and south to the headwaters of the Athabasca River.  The Simpcw speak the Secwepemc language, a Salishan language, shared among many of the First Nations in the Fraser and Thompson River drainage.  The Simpcw traveled throughout the spring, summer and fall, gathering food and materials which sustained them through the winter.  During the winter months they assembled at village sites, in the valleys close to rivers, occupying semi-underground homes.  Archaeological studies have identified winter home sites and underground food cache sites at a variety of locations including Finn Creek, Vavenby, Birch Island, Chu Chua, Barriere River, Louis Creek, and Tete Jeune.

The Simpcw People lived in the North Thompson valley long before the coming of the white man to this country.  Many ancestors of present Band members lived in villages or camps located on land which is now reserve of the Simpcw First Nation.  Evidence of life in earlier times can still be found at these ancestral village sites.

The Simpcw traditionally were noted for their hunting ability.  In the summer months much of their time was spent in hunting camps in the mountains above the North Thompson and upper Fraser Rivers.  Both river systems provided salmon, which were caught in weirs, nets and by spear.  Both meat and fish were smoked or dried then stored for consumption.  Numerous plant foods were also collected and preserved for winter use.  There was active trading, and sometimes warfare with the Sekani and Cree people.  Presently Simpcw People practice many of their traditions while learning and working in modern society.

Background:

The administration is governed by the Band Council, oversees the social, educational, and economic development of the membership.  With other Secwepemc communities.  The Simpcw are taking steps to have their aboriginal right to their traditional territory recognized by provincial and federal governments.

Today about half of the over six hundred Simpcw people live on the Simpcw First Nation Indian Reserve at Chu Chua just north of Barriere and on the Louis Creek Reserve.  Many band members are employed in the forest industry as mill workers and loggers.  The band owns a small sawmill.  The Simpcw First Nation employs many members in various capacities.

Simpcw people value their positive relationships with non-Native people in the North Thompson and Robson Valleys.  They also recognize that their key strength lies in maintaining links to their traditional heritage and look forward to securing a place for their children in contemporary society that they can embrace with pride.