A Ktunaxa group called Kaⱡisa lived in the land of aȼpu ʔamakis(Land of the Wolverine), a Ktunaxa district which covers the Arrow Lakes area. They resided mainly on the south bank of Ktunwakanmituk (Kootenay River), between Kik̓siⱡuk (Castlegar) and ʔakyamⱡup (Nelson). They fished, hunted and gathered, following the food chain. The lakes, rivers and creeks were plentiful with fish and waterfowl. Fish, game and berries were dried for the winter and packed in par fleche containers made from deer hide. When the insects got too overbearing, dried flowers were used to ward them off. Animals such as deer were also hunted and dried for winter use. Creeks like ʔa·kⱡumak ʔakinmituk(Cottonwood Creek) were good camping areas because the water was easily accessible.
Kaⱡisa also travelled eastward to ʔakyamⱡup, north to Qukȼaqnanaʔamakis (Burton), ȼaⱡnu ʔakuq̓nuk (Nakusp) making their seasonal round harvesting food. Their sturgeon-nosed canoe is known to have been crafted by the Ktunaxa and was used to travel in marshy waters. Their trips fishing, hunting and gathering, continued south to Yaqan Nuʔkiy, Lower Kootenay area by way of Ktunwakanmituk. It is known they were closely related to the Yaqan Nuʔkiy.
In early years, the Lower Kootenay river area was a marshland where ducks, geese and other birds nested. Seasonal rounds to gather food for the winter and to meet up with the other groups took the Kaⱡisa into the surrounding hills and mountains where creeks flowed down the mountain. Finally, they would return to their main winter campsite near today’s Nelson area. The Kaⱡisa were greatly affected in the 1800s by the smallpox epidemic.
Kaⱡisa also travelled eastward to ʔakyamⱡup, north to Qukȼaqnanaʔamakis (Burton), ȼaⱡnu ʔakuq̓nuk (Nakusp) making their seasonal round harvesting food. Their sturgeon-nosed canoe is known to have been crafted by the Ktunaxa and was used to travel in marshy waters. Their trips fishing, hunting and gathering, continued south to Yaqan Nuʔkiy, Lower Kootenay area by way of Ktunwakanmituk. It is known they were closely related to the Yaqan Nuʔkiy.
In early years, the Lower Kootenay river area was a marshland where ducks, geese and other birds nested. Seasonal rounds to gather food for the winter and to meet up with the other groups took the Kaⱡisa into the surrounding hills and mountains where creeks flowed down the mountain. Finally, they would return to their main winter campsite near today’s Nelson area. The Kaⱡisa were greatly affected in the 1800s by the smallpox epidemic.
CREATION STORY
The Ktunaxa people have been in this area since Naⱡmuqȼin fulfilled his prophecy and placed the Ktunaxa people in this area to be the keepers of the land. At that time there was some disturbance caused by a huge water monster known as Yawuʔnik̓, who killed many of the animals. It was decided that Yawuʔnik̓ had to be destroyed. A war party was formed. Yawuʔnik̓ plied the Kootenay (wu·u ʔaqsⱡmaknik ʔakinmituk) and Columbia (Miȼ̓qaqas) River system. When Yawuʔnik̓ was killed and butchered and distributed among the animals, Yawuʔnik̓’s ribs were scattered throughout the region that now form the Hoodoos seen throughout the region. When the prophecy was fulfilled the spirit animals ascended above and are now the guiding spirits of the Ktunaxa. In all the excitement Naⱡmuqȼin rose to his feet and stood upright hitting his head on the ceiling of the sky. He knocked himself dead. His feet went northward and is today known as Ya·kⱡiki, in the Yellowhead Pass vicinity. Naⱡmuqȼin’s head is near Yellowstone Park in the State of Montana. His body forms the Rocky Mountains.
Learn more at: www.ktunaxa.org/who-we-are/creation-story/
The Ktunaxa people have been in this area since Naⱡmuqȼin fulfilled his prophecy and placed the Ktunaxa people in this area to be the keepers of the land. At that time there was some disturbance caused by a huge water monster known as Yawuʔnik̓, who killed many of the animals. It was decided that Yawuʔnik̓ had to be destroyed. A war party was formed. Yawuʔnik̓ plied the Kootenay (wu·u ʔaqsⱡmaknik ʔakinmituk) and Columbia (Miȼ̓qaqas) River system. When Yawuʔnik̓ was killed and butchered and distributed among the animals, Yawuʔnik̓’s ribs were scattered throughout the region that now form the Hoodoos seen throughout the region. When the prophecy was fulfilled the spirit animals ascended above and are now the guiding spirits of the Ktunaxa. In all the excitement Naⱡmuqȼin rose to his feet and stood upright hitting his head on the ceiling of the sky. He knocked himself dead. His feet went northward and is today known as Ya·kⱡiki, in the Yellowhead Pass vicinity. Naⱡmuqȼin’s head is near Yellowstone Park in the State of Montana. His body forms the Rocky Mountains.
Learn more at: www.ktunaxa.org/who-we-are/creation-story/
|
|
|
The banners were created by the Grade 8, 9, & 10 Ktunaxa Language Class Students of Laurie Junior Secondary School, Cranbrook - 2000.
For more information on the Ktunaxa, you’re welcome to go to the Nelson Museum, Archives, and Gallery and the Ktunaxa Interpretive Centre at St. Eugene Resort and Golf Course in Cranbrook.
For more information on the Ktunaxa, you’re welcome to go to the Nelson Museum, Archives, and Gallery and the Ktunaxa Interpretive Centre at St. Eugene Resort and Golf Course in Cranbrook.
The Nelson Izu-shi Friendship Society thanks Janice Alpine and her research staff and the Traditional Knowledge and Language Advisors of the Ktunaxa Indigenous Nation for sharing these stories and images.
|
|
