Stswecem’c Xget’tem First Nation
About Us
Stswecem’c Xget’tem First Nation (SXFN) is a northern Secwepemc First Nation government located in a semi-remote area of the Cariboo region of British Columbia, approximately 85 kilometers southwest of Williams Lake and 58 kilometers northwest of Clinton.
Although we are one community as Stswecem’c-Xget’tem, we were once two distinct bands: Canoe Creek (Stswecem’c) and Dog Creek (Xget’tem) located about 36 kilometers from each other. The population of our both communities saw a dramatic decline in the late 19th century, due to a smallpox epidemic. In the late nineteenth century the two bands were joined together and referred to as Canoe Creek. Years later we changed our name to Stswecem’c Xget’tem.
We are a community of 760 Nation members and many members live away from home, in urban areas. Our ancestors from Tcexwe’ptem and Komenka’ksxen (Empire Valley), Se’tlemux and S’nhaxala’us (Farewell Canyon), and Stswecem’c Xget’tem (Canoe Creek and Dog Creek).
We are one of 17 distinct Secwepemc Nations and we have joined with three other northern Secwepemc nations to form Northern Secwepemc te Qelmucw (NStQ); we are working through the treaty process, on the path to self-determination.
SXFN is situated on 5,880.4 hectares, much which is rocky hillsides. Dog Creek and Canoe Creek are approximately 50 hectares in size. The landscape of the traditional SXFN territory is dramatic with expansive plateaus, deep valleys, and stretches of green and arid land which is ideal for agriculture. Cattle ranching and horses have been an integral part of the area’s history, at times a complicated history as wild horses (population upwards of several hundred), and cattle, compete for grasslands.
Leisure activities include ice and ball hockey, soccer, softball, and rodeos. Our members hunt for moose, deer and bighorn sheep, fish for salmon and gather plants for traditional medicine and food. In recent years our culture and traditional language have been revitalized, with a pow wow taking place annually and our traditional language being taught in schools.
Contact
Ross Wilson, Director of Stewardship – stewardshipdirector@sxfn.ca
Harold Harry, Senior Cultural Heritage Advisor – chworker@sxfn.ca
Judah Melton, Natural Resource Manager – jmelton@sxfn.ca