108 Cultural Centre Taking Shape One Artifact At A Time

Esketemc artifacts are being sought on loan for an upcoming exhibit at the 108 Cultural Centre.

Community Education Department Curriculum Specialist Valarie Johnson said she was given this responsibility a couple of months ago.

She said the Northern Secwepemc Cultural Society is currently working on purchasing shelving and archival storage cases for the artifact intake process.

“This has allowed Esk’etemc a few months to gather artifacts and information to showcase Esk’etemc culture and traditional knowledge as well as important pieces of history so we’re just waiting for the go ahead to start processing some of the artifacts.”

Johnson said so far they were just going to use school items which are necklaces made out of bear claws, regalia samples, birch baskets and things like that.

“Items that we are looking for are going to be pertaining to the Esk’etemc people. Traditional and ceremonial items, a smudge bowl, Lahal stick or anything related to that. We’re also looking for cowboying items, saddles, things that maybe your ancestors have used, medicines or survival tools. Some items we already have are related to the Alkali Braves hockey team”.

We asked Johnso what are the plans moving forward?

“I’m waiting for the Northern Secwepemc Cultural Society to reach out to me or Calvin, who is the Education Director, and then we’re going to go ahead and transfer everything that we gather.” Johnson said, “The process in gathering these items is that people would come see us, you would fill out an incoming loan form and then we’ll go ahead and deliver all of it all at once to the centre when they are ready for us.”

On Tuesday (September 10) a ceremony was held at the 108 Cultural Centre.

“Several Secwepemc community leaders gave speeches,” Johnson said, “there was ceremonial drumming and prayers said. It was a great turnout, there were only a couple of communities that had artifacts on display Esk’et was one of them and Canim Lake was the other. They are still working on furnishing the building so we’re looking forward to them opening and having everything on display for people to see sometime in November.”