There’s more to this story...

Dear Editor:

On March 28, Summerland hosted a ‘Public Information Session’ on yet another proposal for the Banks Crescent lands.

Summerland is a unique Okanagan community The ancient indigenous trail, (nqəlxʷaqs) the Brigade Trail, was located in the middle of Summerland (Prairie Valley Road and Garnett Valley Road). Thirty-six years ago, the local museum identified numerous indigenous sites in Summerland. To date not one site has been acknowledged.

Example: Illahie was on this museum list. Illahie (ilxǎ i) was an ancient fishing village noted for its high concentration of indigenous artifacts, burial sites and unique boating system (ilxǎ iut). Now, for the first time, this indigenous name Illahie, has an English name, ‘Lakehouse’: a 45 home development.

Another site on the museum list is Banks Crescent. A battle took place in 1808 between the Shuswap and Okanagan warriors (sxị yílx aqskepkpina). According to the ‘Public Information Session’, a requirement was a “formal Archaeological Impact Assessment (AIA) and Cultural Heritage Resource Assessment be completed for the site”.

In 1907, Summerland pioneer, Harry Bristow accidentally unearthed remains of numerous Okanagan warriors. Some of the remains of these warriors were sent to two provincial museums and then the remains of seven warriors were returned to the Penticton Indian Band. The seven burial remains from the Banks Crescent lands are currently stored with the Penticton Indian Band.

According to the information session, some proposed buildings would be located exactly where the warriors remains were discovered. The actual battle itself took place at the centre of the proposed development.

These sites, ilxǎ i and sxị yílx aqskepkpina are well known indigenous sites and described in published articles. Yet no mention of any of this at the ‘Public Information Session’. That is; the second public information session. Hmm, I think there is more to this story.

David E. Gregory

Summerland