First Nations

Here since time began

While it was gold that opened up the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast region to the world, First Nations people thrived on this diverse and dramatic landscape centuries before Europeans arrived late in the 18th century (archeological evidence dates back 10,000 years).

Diverse lands, various bands

The Bella Coola and Kwakiutl were coastal dwellers and lived off the sea and nearby game, while inland, the Chilcotin and Shuswap fished the mighty rivers, hunted, and gathered berries and plants for sustenance.

A passage for commerce

Crossing the rugged route through the Coast Mountains, the coastal First Nations traded oil-rich eulachons (small fish) for obsidian and furs with their inland neighbours. In 1793, Alexander Mackenzie followed this ‘grease trail’ in his quest for an overland route to the Pacific at the same time Captain George Vancouver explored the coast. European fur-traders trickled into the country, taking beaver and other furs from what was then ‘New Caledonia’.