Cottonwood Creek begins at Cottonwood Lake south of Nelson. Like many other creeks in the region, it drains melted snow and ice from the mountains each year. Before settlers arrived, the Indigenous cultures of the area lived in harmony with the natural habitat. Water was at the centre of a web of life that included fish, ducks, geese, martens, otters, beaver, and bears. Caribou grazed on lichen in old-growth forests. The creek’s shifting floodplain was rich in sedges, berries, shrubs, and other vegetation. The seasonal charge of the creek created ideal habitat for several species of fish. A mature forest of cedar, hemlock, cottonwood, and birch lined the creek, providing homes for eagles, osprey, and owls, as well as cool shade for the fish.
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Cottonwood Falls prior to 1890
Since the 1890s, much of Cottonwood’s natural and human ecology has changed.Settler development, including mining, hydroelectric power, logging, and transportation,has altered the creek and its environment. The lower creek has been channelized, pavedover, and controlled. The floodplain marshes are covered by a train yard and airport.A highway project changed the faces of the falls. Still, Cottonwood Creek flows, running half-hidden through this area now called Railtown. In summer, the creek still carriesmountain air to cool Nelson on hot sunny days. Ospreys sometimes nest near the mouthof the creek. The sound of rushing water remains consistent over time.
The Nelson Izu-shi Friendship Society thanks Eileen Delehanty Pearkes for this story of Cottonwood Creek, Alistair B. Fraser for sharing his wildlife photographs, and Janice Alpine and Shelly Boyd for the translations.
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ktunaxa: sina
nsilxcín: stunkx english: beaver ktunaxa: kⱡawⱡa nsilxcín: s̓ik (female) nsilxcín: kiʔlanaʔ (male) english: grizzly bear ktunaxa: ʔaqawxaⱡ nsilxcín: ltkʷuʔ english: river otter ktunaxa: swamu nsilxcín: kəkiʔ english: kokanee ktunaxa: ȼ́́uȼ́́u nsilxcín: ixʷəxʷ english: osprey |
ktunaxa: ʔiȼ́́nat
nsilxcín: mxiłp english: cedar ktunaxa: ʔakuwaⱡwuʔk nsilxcín: qʷəqʷłi english: birch ktunaxa: nisnap nsilxcín: ciqʷlx english: hemlock ktunaxa: kanuⱡmaquⱡaqpiʔk nsilxcín: mux english: cottonwood |
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