Tŝilhqot’in Nation honours War Chiefs in Lhatŝ’aŝʔin Memorial Day in Quesnel

The Tŝilhqot’in Nation Government, with First Nations from Quesnel and Williams Lake, honoured the six War Chiefs whose hanging marked the end of the Chilcotin War in Lhatŝ’aŝʔin Memorial Day today, Oct. 26, in Quesnel.

This year marks the 162nd anniversary of when five of the six War Chiefs were hanged in Quesnel at the location in what would later become G.R. Baker Memorial Hospital; the sixth, Chief ?Ahan, was hanged in New Westminster on July 18, 1865.

Chief Francis Laceese of the Tl’esqox First Nation thanked everyone who came in his speech at the start of the ceremony.

“ What took place back in the day, you know, that’s, uh, the history of our nation. I call it genocide, what happened. You know, and a lot of times when I sit across the table from some of the governments, I say that genocide’s still here today.”

“ What we’re trying to achieve for the people and the lands and everything else — that pertains to us as indigenous people, you know, that’s very important,” said Chief Laceese. “ This Remembrance Day brings everyone together in a lot of different ways. [I’m] glad to work with all the other nations and government in the best way that we can to let them know who we are, and move forward in a good way.”

Chief Leah Stump of the Nazko First Nation and Councillor Tim Mitchell of the Lhtako Dene Nation, as well as many other members of the local First Nations, attended.

Leaders and staff from the municipal governments attended the ceremony as well. Mayor Surinderpal Rathor and councillors Joan Flaspohler and Michael Moses from the City of Williams Lake were in attendance. From City of Quesnel, Mayor-elect Coralee Oakes, and councillors Toney Goulet, Scott Elliot, and Laurey-Anne Roodenburg attended.

After the ceremony, there was a luncheon and more drumming hosted at the Lhtako Dene Longhouse.

Lhatŝ’aŝʔin Memorial Day, the Tŝilhqot’in Nation’s memorial day, was formally established in 1999.