SS

10
MYSTERIOUS CHIEFTANESS... from page 8

This is somewhat of a puzzling report. It’s not the
tradition of the Thaltans to have Chieftainesses. A male
usually the nephew of the Chief, inherited the name and
title Nanook Chief of the previous leader. However,
since Campbell’s report states that her father (probably
the Nanook Chief) was very old, it isn’t surprising at
the power and authority of his daughter. Women have
always been powerful influences in the Thaltan nation,
to the point where inheritance is traced only through the
mother - not the father. It is likely that the Chieftainess
Campbell refers to was a highly-respected, dynamic
natural leader and not a Chieftainess by inheritance or
election. Also, as the Nanook Chief’s daughter, she very
likely had strong influence on his decisions at Thaltan.
This idea is borne out in Campbell’s diary.

“She was a fine looking woman rather above the mid-
dle heighth & about 35 years old. In her actions and per-
sonal appearance she was more like the whites than the
pure Indian race. (Campbell gives us a clue here to the
“Superior” attitude of the whites toward the “inferior”
Indians prevalent in the 18th & 19th centuries - and,
unfortunately, still existing today.) “She had a pleasing
face lit up with fine intelligent eyes, which when she was
excited flashed like fire. She was tidy and tasteful in
her dress.”

An incident occurred after Campbell returned from
Thaltan to Hoole, Lapie and Kitza. “During my absence,
a gun, firebag, small kettle and axe had been taken from
my party by the Indians, and as they were indispensable
for our return journey to Dease’s Lake, I was much
annoyed. The Chieftainess saw there was something
wrong & on discovering the cause, she gave directions to
2 young Indians who started off to the great camp, &
who to my astonishment soon returned with the missing
articles.” E

Further evidence of the tradition of Thaltan hospi-
tality was shown when Campbell headed back to Dease
Lake. As he reports...““She came back with us for some
miles & urged us on no account to stop till we were
across Terror Bridge, as some of the young bloods, with.
the sanction of Shakes, were likely to slip after us and
kill us or do us harm, On parting I gave her my hana-
kerchief & all the loose knicknacks I had about me &
received in return her silver bracelets, We walked hard
and late & got across the bridge in safety, much elated
- at the result of our trip.”

THALTAN RIVER CROSSING - on the Dease Lake -
Telegraph Creek trail taken by George M. Dawson in
1889. The “Terror Bridge’ at the Tuya River crossing
further along the trail was the location of Campbell’s
first contact with the Thaltan people. .

In February 1839, Campbell and his party were
starving at the HBC post at Sawmill Point. “The first
really large band of these Indians that visited us came in
February. They were followers of the Chieftainess... who
was with them. Her visit turned out to be most provi-
dential to us, as we were at that time perfectly destitute
of food of any kind. One of our men had died just then
at a camp she had passed & she expressed her sincere
sympathy with our forlorn condition, Her kindness to
us was unbounded. She ordered her servants (all leading
Indians there had slaves) to cook the best they had for
our use, & it was served under her own directions. We
partook of a sumptuous repast - the first for many a day
- consisting of excellent dried salmon & delicious fresh
caribou meat.”

The Thaltan woman traded for some meat, and dur-
ing an incident that same evening, likely saved Campbell
for his future explorations. Campbell explains.“In the
course of the evening, when everything had seemingly
quieted down for the night, yell after yell suddenly
broke the silence, the now furious savages rushed into
the road where McLeod(A.R. McLeod, Jr. apprentice
clerk)& I were sitting, loading their guns, some of them
seized our weapons from racks on the walls & assuredly
would have shot us had not the Chieftainess, who was
lodged in the other end of the house, rushed in & com-
manded silence. She found out the instigator of the riot,
walked up to him, and, stamping her foot on the ground,
repeatedly spat in his face, her eyes blazing with anger.”’

“Peace and quiet reigned as suddenly as the outbreak
had burst forth. I have seen many far-famed warrior
chiefs with their bands in every kind of mood, but I
never saw one who had such absolute authority or was
'-as bold and as ready to exercise it'as that noble woman.

She was truly a born leader, whose mandate none dared
dispute. Her controlling presence & intrepid interfer-
ence no doubt saved our lives.”’

Campbell & his party abandoned the HBC Fort on
Dease Lake that same spring, never to return. Hudson’s
Bay had signed a lease agreement with the Russians for
trading rights in the Alaska Panhandle, including Fort
Highfield (Wrangell). There was. now no need for a trad-
ing Fort at Dease Lake.

Robert Campbell, of course, went on to penetrate
Yukon Territory and fulfill a life of service to explora-
tion and the Hudson’s Bay Company.

It only happened because of the kindness and com-
passion of a Thaltan woman.

Who was she?

All quotes in this article are from ‘’Public
Archives of Canada - handwritten manuscripts
of Robert Campbell - 1890.

Letters
TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor:

I have bundled 4 issues of the ““Westsider” and sent
them to you. We are located to distribute on the West
Side of Okanagan Lake across from Kelowna.

I read your stories, “Road to Cassiar” and would like
to read more on the Bear Dog and its full history. Also
read Christmas in Laketon and Pioneer Profile.

Would you mind if I reprinted these stories in our
naver?
Enclosed find $5. for a subscription or should we
wait a little longer, and maybe the subscription would
go down again?

Searle Hornby, Editor

Westsider, Westbank, B.C.

Editor’s note: Dear Searle: Be our guest with any of our
articles. Just tell em where they came from, O.K.? As
far as waiting till our subscriptions go down again, I
wouldn’t suggest you hang. by your thumbs till then.

Dear Sir: ;
| have seen the first two editions of the Cassiar Cou-
rier and I am very impressed with it. | am an amatuer
photographer and I enjoy writing very much. | would be
very interested in writing short articles, accompanied by
photos of my home(Toronto), which I’m sure would
be of great interest to your readers......
} Miss Lois Singleton
Toronto, Canada
Dear Lois: Thank you for the compliment. Sorry, we
aren’t in the habit of publishing articles about other
areas, unless it has an impact on the lives of those in
Cassiar Country. We’ve got so much to talk about here,
we have trouble finding room for it. Try again, later,
when we're bigger, and better.

THANK YOU ina
To the Community Club and Minor Hockey Association
for sponsoring the trip to Whitehorse to attend the

Referee Clinic. ‘
J. Harley

THANK YOU
Cassiar Asbestos Corporation, namely Mr. Brian Pewsey
and Mr. Frank Buckley for your personal cooperation
in regards to Stewart Minor Hockey Association vs.,
Cassiar Minor Hockey Association Feb. 19 and 20, 1977.
Cassiar Minor Hockey
tet £ J, Harle

A friend is a present you give yourself.

Sizzling Hot

PIZZA

HOME MADE GOOD
2 inches B | G

$4.50 $6.50

$8.00

Double Dressings Extra

Call 778 — 7624 in Cassiar
No orders taken after 11:30 pm

WILL DELIVER

% Tourist Industry Talk

Discovering Region H-

Would you get satisfaction out of helping somebody,
helping yourself, and making a buck in the bargain?
Of course you would...who wouldn’t?

As it happens, Don Ashley, (Tourism Coordinator for
this Region) might have some ideas on how to accom-
plish this. It has to do with guiding tourists.

There’s a lot to see and do in northern British Colum-
bia, but not all of it lies adjacent to the Alaska Highway
by a long chalf. However, the Alcan is all than many
tourists see or think of seeing. This is a pity for them
and us,

What is needed is someone to take them by the hand
so to speak and show them where they might find an
agreeable campsite, a pleasant hike, good fishing or
whatever they might be looking for. This kind of guiding
service, which can command a good hourly rate, could
also run to accompany them on horse treks, jet boat
rides, or even long drives into the country to point
out sights of scenic beauty. ;

Logical destinations for such excursions would be
Kinueso Falls, the Bennett Dam (imaginative guides
could arrange for jet boat tours of the Peace River in
conjunction with this,) the Smith Falls, or (by arrange-
ment with their owners )visits to wilderness lodges.

Indeed it is not even necessary to think on the grand
scale. A tourist escaping from a concrete jungle might
be delighted to inspect a pioneer log church or old
homesteads, such as are dotted about all over the region.
Even an apparently commercial attraction such as the
Silver Dollar Lounge at the Taylor Hotel is interesting
to someone who’s never see that much silver together -
before. coe

Tourists generallly like to spend their money on
gifts and souveniers that typify the area. There is
thus money to be made in producing saleable items of
leathercraft, bark, fur or wood. And even the non-
handyman can benefit from this by including on his tour
an area visit to a taxidermist, native craftsman or old-_
style carpenter.

Most of all though, the tourist who seriously wants to

look at an area wants the local people, preferably the —

ones usually described in press writeups as “colorful”,
Anyone bringing the tourist together with such a person
performs a most valuable and potentially rewarding ser-
vice. = ’ Nai

Tourist are people looking for new experiences,
new sights and vistas, new relationships, above all a
change. To ensure the success of their vacation they
are prepared to spend money. , =

The way is wide open for local residents to add to.
their incomes by giving the tourist what they want. And
it is one of the few jobs where you can really feel you’ve
helped somebody enjoy themselves. Why not give it
a try.

If you want more ideas, contact Don Ashley. Contact
PRAHTA, Region“H” Tourist coordinator, PO Box
6850, Fort St. John, B.C. V1J 4J3, Telephone 785-
2544.

Dear Editor

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the
many people in Cassiar for the welcome received to the
Minor Hockey Teams from Stewart.

We would like also to thank you for the hospitality
shown to the coaches. drivers and parents upon arrival
for the accommodation made available for our stay.

This was greatly appreciated by all and we are sin- .

-cerely hopeful we may return your hospitality in the
near future.

Stewart Minor Hockey Association
Stewart, B.C.

V&S 4
Janitorial 3
Service

Spring cleanup?

a

See us for all your Janitorial Needs!

FLOORS
STRIPPING

CARPETS
UPHOLSTERY
WAXING

Box 371
WATSON LAKE
Phone 536-7970
Have been in business for one year,

and interested in building up business
in Cassiar

peak eee Ra ee ek ee 8 ee Se ee Ae ko emer

‘Provincial

community

ot

THIS N’ THAT...

from HERE N’ THERE

PROVINCIAL ARCHIVES responded to our
query regarding old pictures of Cassiar Country
with a list of 300 or so...going back to 1889!
Includes scenes of Lower Post, McDame Post,
Dease River, McDame Creek, Dease Lake, Por-
ter’s Landing, Laketon, Head. of the Lake, Saw-
mill Point, Dease-Telegraph Trail, Thaltan Vil-
lage, Telegraph Creek, Glenora...and much more.
Photographic prints cost $1 each, so we can’t
invest in the whole kaboodle at once, but hope
eventually to have copies of all Provincial and
Canadian Archives pics in the Courier files.
DO YOU HAVE OLD PHOTOS? If so, the
Courier would like to “borrow”. them, to
make copy negatives, and to send a print to the
Archives in Victoria if historically
significant. If we don’t start saving some of the
historical documentation of .Cassiar Country,
it will end up lost, or forgotten. Contact the
Courier, and we can make arrangements for
copying, and for sending prints to the Archives,
in your name, of course.

GOLDSTAR ENTERPRISES Jock and Evelyn
Rattray of Good Hope Lake purchased the Rat-
tray Construction property east of Cassiar town-
site and plan a hotel, restaurant, lounge and
fancy service station. The Restaurant will be
named, ‘‘Eagle’s Nest’’, the original name for
McDame Mountain. Jock says plans are in the
works to open in '77. About time someone
took the bull by the horns and met the needs
of the growing Cassiar community - on their
own - Private Enterprise in Cassiar is healthy and
can build a good balance in town.

FOLLOW UP ON DR. WIGBY...the Commis-
sioner of the Yukon replied to a telex from the
Watson Lake L.!.D. Board requesting him to
demand an immediate investigation by the De-
partment of Northern Health into the state of
hospital care and administration at the Watson
Lake Hospital. Commissioner Pearson replied
that the only question raised concerned per-
sonality conflicts between Dr. Wigby on the
one side and the hospital staff and adminis-
tration on the other. He said that since Dr.
Wigby’s license has been cancelled these prob-

lems can reasonably be expected to end. There-

fore no demand for an inquiry would be made
by him at this time.

- The L.I.D. Board also asked for an investiga-
tion into the validity of the evidence given be-
fore the Board of Inquiry. The Commissioner
advised them this is a matter which can only
be determined by the courts and it would be
improper for him to intervene. He also said
he could not comply with their request to de-

_lay the license suspension since the license has

already been cancelled on the recommendation
of the Board of Inquiry. :
(Source: Yukon Info Service-Ken Sillak)

IMPERIAL OIL’S - The Review- of January 1977
carries an article on a Cassiar Courier corres-
pondent, George Holman., Frontier College
worker at Good Hope Lake. Written by Dick
Brown, with some excellent colour photos
by Barry Dursley, the story covers George's
work with the people at Good Hope Lake,
and Frontier College’s role throughout the
remote areas of Canada. Congrats, George!

U.N.N. Board Meeting....was held at Lower Post
late February and your editor attended. U.N.N.
appears very interested and concerned for the
native people in the area. Very businesslike me-
eting with some serious people. Also met Ed Asp
there, representing United Thaltans, and Ivan
Quock, Chief Counselor of the Thaltans. These
two men impressed me as statesmen concerned
for the future of their people. The meetings of
the UNN are open to the public, and the next
time you hear of one in the area, attend it. You

: will be impressed.

The UNN. Board travelled to Good Hope
Lake, accompanied by Bob Skelly, M.L.A. from
Alberni who looked over the nousing situation
there for the native people. He told the Courier,
“I've never seen anything like it: There’s not
one home here where the native people live
that wouldn’t be condemned in any other
in B.C. " He expects to bring
the situation up in the Legislature the first
week in March. -

AIRPORT LODGE

Single - $22 Double - $30
Watson Lake, Y.T. Mrs. Shirley Knight

AIRPORT SNACK BAR

Home Cooked Meals

Box 143 Watson Lake, Y.T.

536-7733

ee ee
Paces
Pa rer

needs,and lf enjoy it very much?"

by Rae Esplen

NEWS from

Our Hockey* Season opened on January 20th,
with the Dease Lakers vs. BCR.: The score was
7 to 7.

Goalies for the night were Ted Skubovius
for Dease Lake and Marlon Weigler for BCR.

On January 25th, the BCR Boys trounced
Dease Lake’ 9-2 (ouch!). Skubovius and Weigler
were goalies.

February 3rd the BCR Boys did it again
beating Dease Lake 6-3. R. Feldman was goalie
for Dease, M. Weigler for BCR. ~

February 6th the Dease Lakers were hosts to
the Cassiar Team, with Cassiar winning 12-5.
Kenny Pete for Dease getting a hat trick, and
J. Reed for Cassiar scoring four goals. W. Pierce
in Goal for Cassiar & T. Skubovius for the Dease
Lakers.

February 10th BCR versus Dease Lakers and
we won! 6-4. Miles Bradford, Murray Heagy,
Dave Watson, Sterling Simpson, Dick Feldman
and John McGimpsey scoring for Dease. Bob
Cartwirght - 2 goals. Mark Vickers and Clarence
Quock for BCR. T. Skubovius for Dease and
Pau! Mireault in Goal for BCR.

February 13th Dease Lake and Iskut fought
to aQ - O score - the Peewees, that is.

February 15th, Dease Lakers vs. BCR 4-2.
Scoring for Dease, Kenny Pete and John
McGimpsey. Mitch Berlinic - 2, Garry Allen &
David Pete - 1 each. Skubovius in.goal for Dease

Mireault for BCR. ;
We're hoping our ice will hold for future

games!

RCMP BUILDING...is very near completion.
The construction is being done by Guran Con-
struction for Vancouver. Opening date should
be early in April with two RCMP members to
be stationed there. Doug Lawrence is on duty
now and Tom Brown should be here in late
March. Dease Lake residents would like to
extend a warm welcome to both members.
OUR COMMUNITY HALL
completion by the end of May. We are looking
forward to having the facilities to accomodate
other communities socially. The building can be
seen as you drive down towards Telegraph Creek
on the left hand side.

| Domg

REVEREND OSCAR PAUWELS CELEBRATES
HIS 25th ANNIVERSARY OF ORDINATION

Rev. Oscar Pauwels, Pastor of Our Lady of

Lourdes Mission Church in Cassiar, celebrated
his 25th anniversary of Ordination to the
Priesthood at a Parish luncheon held after an
11AM_ Eucharistic Celebration. on Sunday,
February 27, 1977.

Father Pauwels came to Cassiar a year and a

half ago, and commenting on his time here, he.

said, “‘! would love to be able to spend more
time with people, but one month after arriving,
| was made Provincial Supervisor of the Oblate
Missionaries of the Province of Whitehorse. It’s
taken a great deal of my time that | had hoped
could have been spent in my ministry to people’”’

Born in Flanders, Belgium, Father Pauwels
was ordained on February 24, 1952 at Flanders
Field, Belgium, travelling to Whitehorse soon
after his ordination. After assignments in Sas-
katchewan, Ontario and Winnipeg, Father re-
turned to Whitehorse to spend the years be-
tween 1966: and 1975. Then came his assign-
ment in Cassiar.

“I've always wanted to be able to do ministry
among the native people’’,he remarked. ‘‘| had
looked forward to it, but never had the chance.
Here in the Cassiars; |’m able to minister to, their

|Good

is scheduled for~

EES CCP CEE OEE ET ENA AER SN SN ON NE TN AY SS TY FS RU NY SST CS SO MES

11
LIONS CLUB NEWS

A large. portion of the
spent most of Saturday,
Cassiar Lions Annual Bonspiel. This year there
were three visiting rinks, two from Watson
Lake Lions Club, plus one combination Watson
Lake Lions Club and Whiteherse Club. To offi-
ciate, District Governor Jim Thompson from
Fairbanks, Alaska, came down to check out the
spirits, along with our Deputy District Governor
Bill Richardson from Whitehorse.

This year the trophies for both events stayed
in Cassiar, for a change. The Watson Lake Lions
succumbed to the Cassiar hospitality although
it was touch and go for awhile.

“A” event: Skip - Lion Reg Ash; 3rd - Col-
leen Hewett; 2nd Lion Paul Ripco; Lead -
Wendy Harley. Second was the Watson Lake
Kalles rink.

“Bl event: Skip -
Linda Hanley; 2nd
Karen Steadman,
John Forbes rink. ‘

It should be noted that both of the winning
leads had never thrown a curling stone prior to
the bonspiel., g

At the Social, District .Governor Jim Thom-
pson swore in six new members (two more were
out of town), and provided the Lions with more
information as to what was happening in other
parts of the District. On the whole, the Bonspiel
was a success and everyone was entertained.

Hope Lake

NEMS

‘It is interesting to note that in all history man
has never been able to completely control fire.
Today as in the ancient past, his carelessness
allows fire to continue, day by day, week by
week, to destroy life, property and irreplaceable
resources.

With this in mind, members in this comm-
unity have expressed an interest in forming a
“VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE’ in Good
Hope Lake.

For further information on the proposed

Cassiar Lions Club
January 29th, at the

Lion Don Baycroft; 3rd -
Lion Fred Hewett; Lead -
Second was the Cassia

BY George Holman

_ BRIGADE, please plan to attend the next

meeting being held on Monday, March 14, 1977
in the Highways Recreation Centre at 7PM. The
meeting is open to all residents.

A Valentine’s Dance was held in the Public
School for all students on Friday, February
Il, ’77. |t was a good affair! Thank you!!!
Al Passarell, Debbie Passarell and Bonnie Greer,
(teachers who put on the dance), and to all
those who supplied the goodies. You are all
great Valentines.

DID YOU MISS THE TEEN DANCE?
Yes! There’s a new function in Good Hope Lake
for the teenagers. “TEEN DANCE” being held
every second Friday night in the Community
Hall. The first Dance was held Friday, Feb.4
and was well attended. The dances have been
organized by Clint Watson and Louie Quock.
These two fine gentlemen host the dances,
play guitar and sing for the groups: Tapes and
records are also used. The teen dancers are only
one of the projects in 1977 to help the com-
munity with entertainment. and recreation.
These programs will only work by everyone
coming out and participating. So, come on gang!
Join in the fun! Come on out to the functions
and get rid of the winter blues!
NEXT “TEEN DANCE” FRIDAY I8MAR '77
7PM in the Community Hall. 18yrs & under.
NEXT ADULT DANCE to be announced.
MOVIES --Now being shown on our new large -.
cinemascope screen. Watch notice board in the. .

Highways Post Office for announcement of the ~~

film schedule. ~ :

Remarking on the diverse backgrounds and
ethnic groups in Cassiar, Father Pauwels said,
“Cassiar has great potential. The wide variety of

» backgrounds of the people help create and wit-

ness the universality of faith. Even a short stay
can be- an opportunity to deepen faith and
make closer contact with the Church. Much
more so than in a large city.”’

The Parish Council arranged the anniversary
celebration, with the special assistance of Martha
Wallenborn, Ann O'Donnell, Paul Beaulieu,
Jason Clark and Vivian Cousins.

Cassiar Country joins in congratulating Rev.
Pauwels on his 25th anniversary as a Priest.

COVER PHOTO - Sylvester's Post, or McDame Post as
it's known today was an important freight stop and
pioneer settlement on the Dease River in the late 1800's
and early 1900's. A sometimes impassable road - one of
the oldest in the Region - leads ta the Post aff Highway
37 near Good Hope Lake. sila a