Taking a hike in southwestern B.C. entails travelling in the Indigenous territories of the Coast Salish, Nlaka’pamux, St’át’imc, and Syilx peoples.
Whether hikers know it or not, this often means visiting sites of cultural, historical, and spiritual importance to First Nations — places with long-standing names in Indigenous languages, such as the Halq’eméylem dialect of the Stó:lō people. I’ve included many such toponyms in my new book, Destination Hikes In and Around Southwestern British Columbia, alongside place names of colonial origin.
What does it mean to hike in Indigenous territories? I’m honoured that the University of the Fraser Valley’s Peace and Reconciliation Centre has invited me to speak at its upcoming Peace Talks panel discussion, which will explore this question.
Continue reading “Event: Indigenous place names and hiking in the Fraser Valley (July 13)”
