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

DRAFT REPORT: Rights and Title Interests in the Columbia Valley Transmission Project Area
Figure 1. Tracing of 1813 map prepared by David Thompson
showing the Columbia Valley and Howse Pass. Excerpt from
Coues 1897:
Thompson’s journals provide
observations from his time in the
Windermere Lake area. He travelled
widely and had ample opportunity to
encounter Aboriginal camps. He also
communicated frequently with the
people he met. Additionally, Aboriginal
bands visited Kootanae House and
Thompson recorded their names. In the
fall of 1807, Thompson wrote while at
Kootanae House: “Conversed much
with the Kootanaes of the Country &
Indians around us....”. 84 It was during
such talks that Thompson learned that
the Ktunaxa population had once been
larger, but that their numbers had been
depleted by smallpox and war. 85
Thompson spent the fall and winter of
1807-1808 at the newly-constructed
Kootanae House situated near Toby
Creek. That fall, he had accompanied a
“Lake” Chief named “Ugly Head” to his
own country located to the south in the
environs of Canal Flat. 86 Other
references in the journals reveal this
man to be chief of a band of Ktunaxa
identified as either the Lake or Flat
Bow. 87
The local Ktunaxa were the source of
information on their usual enemies--
“Peagans,” “Blood,” “Blackfoot”—and on their allies, the “Lake,” “Saleesh,” and
“Shawpatin.” 88 The “Lake” Chief informed Thompson about their common enemies, members of
84 Belyea 1994, page 70.
85 Belyea 1994, page 70.
86 Belyea 1994, page73.
87 Belyea 1994, page 227.
88 The “Shawpatin” are the Sahaptin, commonly known as Nez Perce, and identified in the fur trade
journals also by the name “Green Wood Indians” (Belyea 1994, page 228).
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