The St'át'imc are the original inhabitants of the territory which extends north to Churn Creek and south to French Bar; northwest to the headwaters of Bridge River; north and east toward Hat Creek Valley; east to the Big Slide; south to the island on Harrison Lake and west of the Fraser River to the headwaters of Lillooet River, Ryan River and Black Tusk.
The St'át'imc way of life is inseparably connected to the land. Our people use different locations throughout our 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.
The Upper St'át'imc Language, Culture and Education Society (USLCES)
As a registered charitable organization, USLCES has worked since 1991 on behalf of its First Nations communities and band councils to enhance and maintain St'át’imcets (St'át’imc language) and other cultural knowledge through education. Please browse this site to learn more about who we are and the many projects that we have completed and are working on.
The following six bands speak the upper dialect of the St’at’imc language and are neighbors to the District of Lillooet:
St'át'imc flag
Sekw'el'was - Cayoose Creek Band
Box 484, Lillooet BC V0K 1V0
Phone: 250-256-4136, Fax 250-256-4138
Chief: Michelle Edwards
Councillors:
Bonnie Adolph
Jessica Hopkins
Robin Frank
Corina Adams
Administrator: Viola LeBourdias
Email: reception@cayoosecreek.caWebsite: www.cayoosecreek.ca
Xwísten - Bridge River Indian Band
Box 190, Lillooet, BC V0K 1V0
Phone: 250-256-7423, Fax 250-256-7999
Chief: Susan James
Councillors:
Brenda Frank
Ina Williams
Gerald Michel
Harold James
Administrator: Bradley Jack
Email: xwisten@uniserve.com
Website: www.xwisten.ca
Xwisten Experience Tours: www.xwistentours.ca
The salmon plays a vital part in First Nations diet and mythology and we can learn something valuable from the life cycle of the salmon. Find out what lessons the salmon teaches us and more in this, the latest episode in our Meet a Local Legend series. #AboriginalBC
T'it'q'et First Nation
(Formerly known as Lillooet Indian Band)
Box 615, Lillooet BC V0K 1V0
Phone: 250-256-4118, Fax 250-256-4544
Community Chief: Courteney Adolph-Jones
Tribal Chief: Shelley Leech
Councillors:
Marilyn Napoleon
Sarah Moberg
Sidney Scotchman
Administrator:Janice Whitney
Email: reception@titqet.org
Website: www.titqet.org
Ts'kw'aylaxw - Pavilion Indian Band
Box 2200, Lillooet, BC V0K 1V0
Phone: 250-256-4204, Fax 250-256-4058
Community Chief: Justin Kane
Councillors:
Dolores McDonald
Linda McDonald
Georgina Alec
Clifford Alec
Stacey Leech
Administrator: Andrea Taylor
Email: reception@tskwaylaxw.com
Website: www.tskwaylaxw.com/
Xaxli'p
(Formerly known as Fountain Band)
Box 1330, Lillooet BC V0K 1V0
Phone: 250-256-4800, Fax 250-256-4803
Chief: Colleen Jacob
Councillors:
Pauline Mitchell
Chester Alec
Curtis Joseph
Rena Joseph
Shonna Jacob
Bernard John
Administrator: Wendy Parker
Email: reception@xaxlip.ca
Website: www.xaxlip.ca
Tsal'alh - Seton Lake Band
Box 76, Shalalth, BC, V0N 3C0
Phone: 250-259-8227, Fax: 250-259-8384
Chief: Randy James
Councillors:
Tim Peter
William Alexander (BJ)
Phyllis Peters
Clifford Casper
Administrator: Crystal Branget
Website: www.tsalalh.net/
Traditional St'at'imc pithouse, photo by Brad @ Kasselman Creative