Ntqwixw

Written by Jane Carrico

"For every family in the country – that’s all they use…the salmon…financially, there’s no price you can put on it for you and your family"

- Elder Edward Napoleon.

"The St'át'imc way of life is inseparably connected to the land. Our people use different locations throughout the territory of rivers, mountains and lakes, planning our trips with the best times to hunt and fish, harvest food and gather medicines. The lessons of living on the land are a large part of the inheritance passed on from St'át'imc elders to our children. As holders of one of the richest fisheries along the Fraser River, the St'át'imc defend and control a rich resource that feeds our people throughout the winter and serves as a valued staple for trade with our neighbouring Nations. The St'át'imc can think of no better place to live."
(Nxekmenlhkálha lti tmícwa, St'át'imc Land Use Plan)

"Fishing brings you back in contact with who you are….get back in touch with your identify….your roots….where you come from"

- Elder Rose Whitley, 1990

For the St'át'imc, the late summer into the early fall is the time of the best salmon runs. The Northern St'át'imc move to their traditional fishing grounds along the rivers and lakes to catch salmon. The fishing grounds have Ùcwalmicw names. The salmon was and remains one of our peoples' main source of food. This area is known as "Ntqwixw"; it is one of the places along the Fraser River (sat'átqwa7) where St'át'imc catch salmon. It is the responsibility of T'ít'qet, one of eleven St'át'imc communities, to manage and take care of the site. All who fish here respect St'át'imc traditional laws including: keeping your area clean, fishing for food and ceremonial purposes only, taking only enough fish required to feed your family, and sharing the fishing stations with others who follow the traditional fishing laws.

Please be respectful of our St'át'imc fisher people. It is every person's obligation to keep the lands healthy for future generations.