Evidence on the Adequacy of First Nations Consultation - BC Hydro ...

In describing the 24 passes, he groups them under three headings “Salish”, “Predominantly Kutenai”
and “Fur Trade”, the latter of which includes the Athabaska and Yellowhead Passes. The Salish
passes are all located in the U.S., and obviously were shared with those people. Some of the more
important “Kutenai” passes more commonly used were South and North Kootenay, Crows Nest,
Vermilion, Howse and Kicking Horse. He states that the northern passes of Athabaska and
Yellowhead “only came into use…when transporting furs to avoid the Blackfeet.” 67
67 In fact, HBC records indicate the Ktunaxa rarely traded furs over these routes, preferring to head south to Kootenay
Post, Spokane House and Fort Colville. Other sources [e.g., the Schaeffer interviews and the Ktunaxa Creation Story]
suggest their use of the Yellowhead and Athabaska Passes predates the fur trade.
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