Saik'uz First Nation
Encyclopedia
Dakelh
The Dakelh or Carrier are the indigenous people of a large portion of the Central Interior of British Columbia, Canada.Most Carrier call themselves Dakelh, meaning "people who go around by boat"...
nation whose main community is located on a reserve 9 km south-east of Vanderhoof, British Columbia
Vanderhoof, British Columbia
-External links:**...
along Kenney Dam
Kenney Dam
The Kenney Dam is a rock-filled hydroelectric dam on the Nechako River, 96 km south of Vanderhoof, British Columbia, forming the Nechako Reservoir, the first section of which immediately behind the dam is Knewstubb Lake...
road.
Amenities
The Saik'uz First Nation has a number of amenities, including a band administration office where Chief and council make decisions on issues like housing, education and forestry. The multiplex community hall is a building for traditional native dancing and annual general meetings (which all members of the community may attend). It is also used for extra-curricular activities like volleyball, basketball, floor hockey and other social gatherings. Saik'uz First Nation is also home to local health station, located one block away from the band office, which provides the community with drug and alcohol counseling, parenting programs, and a community kitchen. The reserve also has a volunteer fire hall in case of emergencies, and a store (G&F market) which has a gas bar, and sells canned goods, pizza, snack foods, and fresh milk as well as locally produced native crafts. There are three water pumps located in various parts of the reserve where community members found water before electricity. Today, water is stored in a water tower on the reserve. The reserve also honours its veterans with a memorial park to commemorate their service in the two world wars and the Korean WarKorean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
.
Prominent Members
There are currently twenty-one elders living on reserve. One of the nation's most famous elders was the late Mary John, Sr. Her 1989 memoir "Stoney Creek Woman" won the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal for Historical Writing, and she was also the recipient of the Order of CanadaOrder of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
. Another well-known elder was the late Sophie Thomas, known for her expertise in herbal medicine. The late Celena John was also a prominent leader among the Carrier Sekani people.
Economy
The two largest sources of employment are the forest products industry and the band government. As in many First Nations communities, the unemployment rate is high. The band also operates several businesses.The band owns and operates the Bednesti Lake Resort located on Highway 16 at Bednesti Lake about half way between Vanderhoof and Prince George
Prince George, British Columbia
Prince George, with a population of 71,030 , is the largest city in northern British Columbia, Canada, and is known as "BC's Northern Capital"...
. The resort includes a motel, RV campsite, restaurant with conference rooms, gas bar, and store carrying food and fishing tackle. Hunting and fishing licenses are available. An attractive new log building houses a native art gallery and shop with a studio area where visitors may observe artists at work.
The Saik'uz potlatch
Potlatch
A potlatch is a gift-giving festival and primary economic system practiced by indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast of Canada and United States. This includes Heiltsuk Nation, Haida, Nuxalk, Tlingit, Makah, Tsimshian, Nuu-chah-nulth, Kwakwaka'wakw, and Coast Salish cultures...
house was built by the Stoney Creek Elders' Society on the shore of Nulki Lake. The potlatch house is a large log building which can hold 200-250 people, big enough for holding weddings, dances, meetings, and education courses. The Potlatch house is more than a building, as it serves important ceremonial purposes including governance, economy, social status, and other spiritual practices. Upstairs are the main hall, a small kitchen, and two bathrooms. Downstairs are a larger kitchen and several offices.
One of the sources of revenue for the potlatch house is Bingo
Bingo (US)
Bingo is a game of chance played with randomly drawn numbers which players match against numbers that have been pre-printed on 5x5 matrices. The matrices may be printed on paper, card stock or electronically represented and are referred to as cards. Many versions conclude the game when the first...
which is held every Wednesday. The Bingo night was started in the late 1980s by two women from the Saik'uz reserve. Past jackpots have included a truck and cash prizes up to $20,000. Other sources of revenue are the campgrounds and the boat launch, which hold an annual fishing derby which usually happens on May Long Weekend
Victoria Day
Victoria Day is a federal Canadian public holiday celebrated on the last Monday before May 25, in honour of Queen Victoria's birthday. The date is also, simultaneously, that on which the current reigning Canadian sovereign's official birthday is recognized...
in the spring. In 2006, the 16th annual derby offered the highest prize to date: $5000. Other prizes are donated by various business in Vanderhoof and surrounding areas.