The Secwépemc (Shuswap) people are a First Nations people in the interior of British Columbia, Canada.
Known as Secwépemcúl'ecw, their traditional territory spans the south-central interior of the province, stretching from the Columbia River Valley, along the Rocky Mountains, to the Fraser River, and south to the Arrow Lakes, an area of about 145,000 square kilometers.
Historically, the Secwépemc people were known by their English name, Shuswap, a name that is still in common usage, although Secwépemc is often preferred. We will use both here, although we will largely defer to Secwépemc.
Secwepemctsín, a Salishan language, is the traditional language of the Secwépemc people, and one that remains in common usage, although members of the First Nations group also use English and Secwepemcékst, also known as Plateau Sign Language. Educational programs are ongoing to revitalize the Secwepemctsín language.
Traditionally, the Secwépemc people were semi-nomadic, moving seasonally within their territory. They lived in semi-underground pit houses for warmth during the winter and in mat lodges made from reeds during the summer. They fished, hunted, gathered, and traded with neighboring tribes, and had a diet that was rich in fish, meat, berries, and roots.
Still residing on their traditional territory, the Secwépemc have inhabited it for thousands of years, as evidenced by oral tradition and archaeological findings. The Secwépemc lived as a self-governing nation grouped into bands. Prior to the smallpox epidemic in 1862, 32 bands spoke four dialects, although today, there are only 17 bands and three Secwépemc dialects.
Two European fur trading posts were established on Secwépemc land at Kamloops, in 1812. By 1826, beaver populations in the area had noticeably declined.
Gold miners came in the 1850s, followed by European ranchers in the 1860s, and railway workers in the 1880s.
Today, the Secwépemc Nation consists of 17 bands. The Shuswap Nation Tribal Council represents the Sexqeltqin (Adams Lake), Kamloops, Kenpesq't (Shuswap), Quaaout (Little Shuswap), Neskonlith, Splats'in (Spallumcheen), St'uxwtews (Bonaparte), Skeetchestn; Whispering Pines, Clinton (Pelltiq't) and Simpcw (North Thompson), while the Northern Shuswap Tribal Council represents the Tsq'escen' (Canim Lake), Xats'ull, 'Cm'etem' (Soda Creek, Deep Creek), Stswecem'c /Xgat'tem (Canoe Creek, Dog Creek), and T'exelc (Williams Lake). Unaffiliated bands include the Ts'kw'aylaxw (Pavillion), Esketemc (Alkali Lake), and Llenlleney'ten (High Bar).
Contemporary Secwépemc still inhabit their traditional territory, balancing modern lifestyles with the preservation of their cultural heritage.
During the 20th and 21st centuries, the Secwépemc people have founded several organizations, institutions, and initiatives designed to benefit the Nation and its people in various ways.
The focus of this portion of our web guide on American Indian and First Nations people is on the Secwépemc people. Topics representing or referring to Secwépemc governments, organizations, businesses, industries, schools, medical facilities, museums, programs, events, and other entities, whether operated by a government, organization, or Secwépemc individual, are appropriate for this category.
Recommended Resources
The Adams Lake Indian Band (Sexqeltqin) is a member of the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council. It provides services for band members, and its chief and council provide political leadership and guidance to the executive director and managers. Its chief and council are introduced, along with its departments and administrative offices. Its location is shown on a map, and contacts are provided. Other resources include career opportunities, job postings, and a calendar of upcoming events.
https://adamslakeband.org/
Shay Paul is a contemporary artist and graphic designer living in Tk’emlups te Secwepemc. Active in the arts since elementary school, drawing and painting have been her favorite mediums. She has also been active in organizing workshops, events, and resources to benefit aspiring artists within indigenous communities, many of which are outlined here, including web design, graphic design for websites, social media, print products, and traditional and visual art, many of which can be viewed here.
https://www.ambushart.ca/
Also known as the Bonaparte Indian Band, the band is a member government of the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council of the Secwépemc people. Its main community is on the Bonaparte Indian Reserve No. 3, also known as Bonaparte Reserve, between Cache Creek and the terminus of Highway 99 at the Hat Creek Ranch. Its governance, member programs and services, community events, job opportunities, and contacts are published on the site, along with photographs and a member login.
https://www.bonapartefirstnation.ca/
In 1987, a group of parents from the Adams Lake Band, Neskonlith, and Little Shuswap worked together to start a Secwepemc immersion program for children from birth to five years of age. This led to the establishment of the Chief Atahm School in 1991, which hosted an annual conference and language teacher training institutes and shared teaching resources and strategies with other communities. Its school programs and schedules, training resources, products, and family kits are highlighted.
http://www.chiefatahm.com/
Storytelling is a traditional way to share knowledge, wisdom, and humor in indigenous communities. Taking too many medications can affect wellness. The Coyote's Food Medicines story was created to encourage conversations about wellness and how to manage medications for a healthy life. The project is a collaboration between the Shared Care Committee, a partnership of Doctors of BC and the BC government) and the First Nations Health Authority. An email address is provided for ordering books.
https://www.coyotestory.ca/
Also known as the Alkali Lake Indian Band, the Esk'etemc First Nation is one of three Secwépemc bands that is not a member of either the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council or the Northern Shuswap Tribal Council. In the Shuswap language, the people of Alkali Lake are the Esketemc ("people of Esket"). Its background, chief, and council, departments, and businesses are highlighted, and information about visiting the community is provided. A member login is included.
https://www.esketemc.ca/
Situated in the Fraser Canyon-Cariboo region of the central interior of British Columbia, Canada, the High Bar First Nation is one of the bands that is neither a member of the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council nor the Northern Shuswap Tribal Council. High Bar members are largely Secwépemc, but partly Tsilhqot'in and have links with some Chilcotin First Nations. Known as the Llenlleney'ten, their government is introduced, and a calendar of events, contacts, and member login is included.
https://www.highbarfirstnation.ca/
Also known as the Little Shuswap Indian Band (Skwlax), the First Nations band government of the Shuswap Nation has its main Indian reserve in Chase, British Columbia, on the shore of Little Shuswap Lake. The Band government offers a wide variety of member services, including its administrative programs, economic development, territorial stewardship, and job opportunities. Its governing structure, chief, council, departments, enterprises, and contacts are posted.
https://lslib.ca/
Located in the Shuswap district, east of Kamloops, the Nekonlith Indian Band is a member of the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council. Named for Chief Nekonlith, the Band is divided into three reserves, two near Chase and one near Salmon Arm, British Columbia. Its chief, council, and administrative address and contacts are provided. Member programs and services, educational facilities, health and wellness programs, and employment opportunities are posted on the site, along with its enterprises.
https://neskonlith.net/
Northern Shuswap Tribal Council
The NSTC is a First Nations government in British Columbia, Canada. Based in the Cariboo District of the Central Interior, it is one of two tribal councils of the Secwépemc (Shuswap) people, the other being the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council, further south. The site provides information about its member governments, tribal councils, and departments, and information about treaties and self-governance, along with access to various documents and other resources. Scheduled events are posted.
https://nstq.ca/
A hub of leadership and technicians from eight Secwépemc communities (Adams Lake Indian Band, Skwlāx te Secwepemcu’lecw, Simpcw, Skeetchestn, Splatsin, High Bar First Nation, Whispering Pines Clinton Indian Band, and Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc), along with their Rights and Title and Natural Resource technicians, the Office works with the British Columbia government to move forward on the Qwelmínte Secwépemc Office Government to Government table. Contacts are provided.
https://www.qwelminte.ca/
Secwépemc Museum and Heritage Park
Created to preserve and share the cultural heritage of the Secwépemc people, the museum's staff and team work closely with Secwépemc elders, knowledge keepers, and community members to ensure that the nation's cultural treasures are respected, valued, and shared authentically. The website highlights an overview of the museum, its archives, a map showing its location, a history of the project, a staff directory, and available tours are featured, and tours may be booked.
https://www.secwepemcmuseum.ca/
Organized and controlled by the sixteen Chiefs from the Interior and twelve Health Directors from those member communities, which are listed here along with their locations. Its governance structure, guiding principles, and a directory of member communities, with links to their individual websites, are provided. Meeting minutes, terms of reference, health links, and photographs are provided, and email addresses and phone numbers are provided, along with a feedback form.
https://secwepemchealth.ca/
The Shuswap Indian Band (Kenpesq’t) is a member government of the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council and the Ktunaxa Kinbasket Tribal Council in the East Kootenay region of British Columbia. Its main reserve, the Shuswap Indian Reserve, is located one mile north of Invermere. A profile of the band, as well as its chief, council, board, and administrative contacts, are provided. Its programs, services, policies, election data, advertising, job opportunities, and contacts are provided.
https://www.shuswapband.net/
One of two tribal councils of the Secwépemc people, the First Nations tribal council is based in the Thompson and Shuswap districts of the central interior of British Columbia, with an additional band on the upper Columbia River in the East Kootenay region. Formed in 1980 to advance the issues of aboriginal rights, its council of chiefs, tribal chiefs, bands, and staff directory are featured, along with elders, governance structure, fisheries commission, and employment opportunities.
https://shuswapnation.org/
Formerly known as the North Thompson Indian Band, the First Nations band government is a member of the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council, a government of the Secwépemc people. The Band's main community is at Chu Chua, British Columbia. Contacts for its administrative offices are provided, along with its chief, council, and administrator. The Band's history, language, territory, and member programs and services are provided, along with economic development programs.
https://www.simpcw.com/
A member of the Secwepemc (Shuswap) Nation, the Band's main reserve is located at Savona, British Columbia. It is a member of the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council. Its chief and council are introduced, along with contact data, and its administrative offices, departments, and members programs and services are highlighted. Its enterprises, affiliations, employment opportunities, and a job board are included, along with links to other online resources relevant to its members.
https://skeetchestn.ca/
Also known as the Spallumcheen Indian Band, the band is a member government of the Shuswap Tribal Council. Its main reserve is at Enderby, British Columbia. Its history, mission, development, land, and member programs and services are set forth, along with its governmental structure, election schedules, policies, guiding documents and laws, council meeting reports, community engagement, employment opportunities, and job opportunities are featured on the site.
https://splatsin.ca/
Previously known as the Kamloops Indian Band, the Tkʼemlúps First Nations government is part of the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council and the largest of the seventeen bands into which the Secwépemc Nation was divided when the Colony of British Columbia established an Indian reserve system in the 1860s. Its history, chief, council, land, language, culture, and events are highlighted. Its departments, comprehensive community plan, bylaws, and contacts are included.
https://tkemlups.ca/
Also known as the Pavilion Indian Band, Tsk'waylacw First Nation, Tsk'weylecw First Nation, or, in the plural, Ts'kw'alaxw First Nations, the First Nations government, the Ts'kw'aylaxw First Nation is one of the Secwépemc bands that is not a member of the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council or the Northern Shuswap Tribal Council. Its members include Sťáťimc (Lillooet) and belong to the Lillooet Tribal Council (St'at'imc Nation). Events are posted, and contacts are provided on the site.
https://tskwaylaxw.com/
Whispering Pines / Clinton Indian Band
Also known as the Pellt'iq't First Nation, the Band is a member government of the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council of the Secwépemc people. Its main reserve is at Clinton, British Columbia. The band's website features the history and profile of the Pelltiq't People, and its logo is described. Its policies, bylaws, forms, and terms of reference from its Elders Advisory Council are available for download in PDF format. Emails from its chief, council, and department personnel are provided.
https://wpcib.com/
The Williams Lake First Nation (T’exelcemc) is a member of the Secwépemc Nation of the Shuswap people. Centered around Williams Lake, the Nation manages nine reserves in the central region of British Columbia. Its history, values, principles, culture, language, and governmental structure are featured, including its chief, council, departments, and administrative staff. Job opportunities, employment training, and other services are included, and businesses and enterprises are featured.
https://www.wlfn.ca/
