Category: History

Origin of the Signs of Lək̓ʷəŋən Project

The origin of many Indigenous related projects, such as the Signs of Lək̓ʷəŋən, get lost in time. This project began in 1993, as part of the plans to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the building of Fort Victoria and 125th anniversary of Victoria becoming the Capital of British Columbia. The Premiers Protocol Office invited individuals to established a celebrations committee from which a sub-committee was formed to celebrate Indigenous history. The sub-committee was made up of the late Chief Andy Thomas of the Esquimalt Nation, the late Chief Robert Sam, then a Councillor, and myself, then a curator of Archaeology at the Royal B.C. Museum. The celebrations sub-committee agreed that I would come up with a list of traditional place … Continue reading “Origin of the Signs of Lək̓ʷəŋən Project”

Camossung. Bridging two Worlds

Introduction The Gorge Waterway is a special place in the tradition and economy of the Indigenous Lək̓ʷəŋən people of Greater Victoria. The Gorge reversing falls were the focus a special creation story for the Lək̓ʷəŋən, but also became a special place of celebration for the European populations that infiltrated into their territory. It is a story of transition between interconnected worlds with a moral that is aimed at bringing about a better world. A theme of preservation that transgresses time. The legend of this beautiful spot produced the first name “Fort Camosun” used by both the Indigenous Lək̓ʷəŋən peoples and fur traders (see appendix 2). Today it provides the name of Camosun College and Camosun Street. In the Lək̓ʷəŋən tradition, … Continue reading “Camossung. Bridging two Worlds”

The Archaeology of the Gorge Waterway of Greater Victoria

Part 1. The changing Landscape and Victoria Harbour to Selkirk Waters. The Changing Landscape Twenty-one thousand years ago the Gorge Waterway, Victoria Harbour and all the beaches around Victoria were all deep underwater. This was caused by the glaciers pushing the land down as they approached the Victoria Region (Miskelly 2012; Clague 1983). The land rebounded to 14 meters above the present sea level by Thirteen thousand years ago (Keddie 2019). By 11.200 years ago the land continued to rebounded and the Gorge appeared for a short period of around 1,000 to 2000 years as an ocean inlet. As the land continued to rebound, the upper Gorge became dry land by 9200 years ago. The Gorge and Victoria Harbour became … Continue reading “The Archaeology of the Gorge Waterway of Greater Victoria”

W̱SÁNEĆ (Saanich) Fishing Camps on the Goldstream River Delta

Introduction A period of Destruction and Realignment The W̱SÁNEĆ, Tommy Paul, referred to an epidemic that devastated his people six generation before him: “That terrible sickness. It is true. It belongs to the story of my Chilangwin” (Lugrin 1931). Elders told the story of “Kwalarhunzit” who began his training as a warrior at 13 years of age after “a terrible epidemic of smallpox had just decimated the Saanich Indians and crippled their resistance to the raids of their enemies. …His first fight was against some southern natives who were visiting relatives at the big settlement near Sidney”. At this time there was a village of people on Mayne Island who invited Kwalarhunzit to a deer hunt but ended up fighting … Continue reading “W̱SÁNEĆ (Saanich) Fishing Camps on the Goldstream River Delta”

A lək̓ʷəŋən Burial Island

Halket or Deadman’s Island (Please respect this special location and view it only from a distance). On southern Vancouver Island it was common for, at least some, Indigenous families to place their dead, on small Islands. In historic, or post contact times, burials were placed on these islands in boxes, canoes or small shed-like structures. It is unknown how far back in time this practice extends. Underground burials were common before 1000 years ago. One of these burial Islands, known to be used in the 19th century, was Halket Island in the Selkirk Waters above Victoria’s upper harbour. It is located north of the Point Ellice Bridge (Bay Street), between the foot bridge (old CN Railway trestle Bridge) on the … Continue reading “A lək̓ʷəŋən Burial Island”

Indigenous Canoe Racing on the Gorge Waterway

Preface Here I will provide a brief overview of historic mid 19th to mid 20th century Indigenous canoe races in the Gorge Waterway. I will also include an appendix with an Indigenous canoe related story, reported in 1936, to make it more accessible for students. Indigenous stories on the southern coast of British Columbia often included explanations of how physical objects such as nets and spears were first given to them and how people gained the knowledge about how to use them. One of those stories involved the discovery of adze blades and their use in canoe making and the supernatural prerogatives involved. It was recorded by Beryl Cryer (1889-1980), who acquired many Indigenous stories, many of which came from … Continue reading “Indigenous Canoe Racing on the Gorge Waterway”

The Extinct Caribou of Haida Gwaii

Preface I have always had a love of caribou and was saddened to learn about the extinction of the Dawson caribou (Rangifer tarandus dawsoni) after seeing its physical remains in the (then) Provincial Museum collection. This seemed to have been a preventable extinction. I learned about the importance of caribou and their habitat when doing an archaeological survey of portions of Wells Grey Park in 1970. I met Ralph Ritcey who gave me a copy of his recent paper on the mountain caribou of Well’s Grey (Ritcey 1970). I also met Park supervisor, Charlie Shook (1924-2000). Charlie guided big game hunters to the park in the 1940s, he started as an assistant ranger in the park in 1954, and worked … Continue reading “The Extinct Caribou of Haida Gwaii”

A Brief History of Broom and Gorse in British Columbia

The broom (Cytisus scoparius) and gorse (Ulex europaeus) are invasive shrub plants that have been the subject of studies and eradication campaigns (see Brandes et. al. 2019; Rodriguez et. al. 2011; Leblank 2001; Syrett et. al. 1999; Zielke et. al. 1992; Frisk 1964;). Some people like their beautiful blooms but more people are concerned with their overwhelming of native species and the pain caused by the sharp spines of the gorse. Both species originated in the Mediterranean region of western Europe and have been introduced to other parts of the world where they compete successfully with native plants. Broom is suited to the mild maritime climate found on the coast of British Columbia. These plants are a serious fire hazard. … Continue reading “A Brief History of Broom and Gorse in British Columbia”

Francis Drake on the Northwest Coast of America. Introductory Notes. Part 1.

June 20, 2017. By Grant Keddie. Introduction Figure 1. Examples of the hundreds of books written about Sir Francis Drake. The Purpose of this article is to provide a background for those individuals who wish to understand more about the controversy regarding the voyage of Francis Drake to the Northwest Coast of North America. Where Drake landed on the Northwest Coast has been a subject of debate for over 170 years when it played a major role in the boundary settlement between Canada and the United States. Proper study of this topic would require the combined research of many experts in Spanish and English literary history, maritime history, First Nations cultures and language and the history of geography and map … Continue reading “Francis Drake on the Northwest Coast of America. Introductory Notes. Part 1.”

The Capital Iron Site, DcRu-116. Victoria Harbour.

January 25, 2018. By Grant Keddie. The remains of an ancient village, in the form of a shell midden, are located around the intersection of Store and Chatham Street off Victoria’s upper harbour. The site, listed as DcRu-116,   was on a rocky bluff on the east side of the Harbour between the Johnson Street and Point Ellis (Bay Street) Bridges. This specific location on a rocky bluff with a good view up the Harbour would suggest the site was chosen for defensive purposes. Archaeological Excavations In 1976, buried shell midden was discovered during the removal of massive amounts of overburden for building a new facility next to the Capital Iron building at 1900 Store Street. On an emergency basis, volunteers … Continue reading “The Capital Iron Site, DcRu-116. Victoria Harbour.”