Sts'kiilh is the ancestral village of Head Hereditary Chief Nuximlayc (Lawrence Pootlass), a descendant of Chief Alec Pootlass, Chief Sam Pootlass and Big Chief Adam King. Rising high to the north of Sts'kiilh (Bella Coola) is Mt Pootlass (right), a glaciated summit between Nieumiamus Creek and Necleetsconnay River, named for the ancient village of the Pootlass Family. |
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Right: Hereditary Chief
Sixilaaxayc (Noel Pootlass) in Nuxalk regalia at the Snuxyaltwa Totem Pole Raising, Talyu, 19 August 2009 Names connect Nuxalkmc to their culture and to Nuxalk Lands and identities. Family lineages are connected with their villages of origin through names that were held by someone before. Nuxalk Lands and Sovereignty is upheld by knowing Family and place names and their histories. |
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24 March 1995 Motel Built on Sacred Nuxalk Burial Site
The Nuxalk Nation Government Hereditary Chiefs, the Nuxalk Nation Government Council of Elders and the Nuxalk Nation Government Band Council do hereby declare that there will be no more desecration of our sacred burial grounds within Nuxalk Traditional Territory. This act of cultural genocide is in direct violation of our Nuxalk traditional laws and customs. It has caused much heartache and sadness to the spirits of all Nuxalkmc. Recently, it has come to the attention of all Nuxalkmc, that our sacred burial grounds located at the Bella Coola Motel have been disturbed by the new motel management. The motel manager/owners have moved the gravestone of Hereditary Chief Klakamot from its original position, and they have erected fence posts into the sacred burial grounds of our ancestors. The Nuxalk Nation Archaeological Branch has also confirmed that bone fragments were brought to the surface by an auger used for erecting fence posts. The Bella Coola Motel was built in 1958 (British Columbia's 100th Birthday) on Nuxalk sacred burial grounds located at the Sts'kiilh village site. At no time was consideration ever given to the Nuxalk Nation during the development and construction of the motel. The gravestone of Chief Klakamot is evidence that the Bella Coola Motel is located on one of our sacred burial sites. The gravestone of Chief Klakamot sits next to the motel about ten feet away. Many of our elders remember the gravestones and markers that once were but now the motel has done away with most of them. A letter dated January 9, 1995, was hand delivered to the owners/managers of the Bella Coola Motel to remove the fencing and to place Chief Klakamot's gravestone to its proper position (two feet from the motel). Since we have had no response from the motel management, and they haven't respected our wishes, we are taking action to correct this situation. We will march from our totem poles down to the motel where the gravestones are. Our Head Hereditary Chief, Nuximlayc, will dance his song and share a few words. Hereditary Chief Silcxwliqw' will step forward share a few words and begin removing the fence. At this point, we face the possibility of being arrested, but we are willing to suffer the consequences. If arrests are made, other members of the Nuxalk community will continue dismantling the fence until the fence is completely removed. At this time Chief Klakamot's headstone will be placed back into its proper position. Finally, the Nuxalk people will place flowers on top of their ancestors graves and feed a fire with food to soothe the spirits of those past on. Today, we as Nuxalkmc are making a historical stand. We make this stand in loving memory of our ancestors whose graves have been desecrated, and we make this stand on behalf of all our brothers and sisters from other indigenous nations who face the same grief. We want the people of the world to know that we will no longer allow desecration of our sacred burial sites in Nuxalk Territory. For the future of our children, grandchildren and children
yet to be born . . . |
