The reopening of Highway 8 between Merritt and Spences Bridge was a significant event for Indigenous peoples in the area.
Lands of four bands were impacted, and their members were crucial to rebuilding.
The flood that began Nov. 14, 2021 caused devastation to the lands of the Nooaitch Indian Band, CookB次元官网网址檚 Ferry, Shackan and Nicomen.
BC Highways Senior Project Manager Shawn Clough said about 20 hectares of agricultural land was lost in the corridor.
Shackan was one of the hardest hit.
The Shackan land was dubbed a B次元官网网址榙ebris flowB次元官网网址� site, where fertile lands were washed away by mud.
B次元官网网址淚t was a very large, devastated site,B次元官网网址� said Clough. B次元官网网址淲e worked 24/7.B次元官网网址�
Shackan Indian Band Chief Arnold Lambreau, who spoke to media on the day the highway reopened to the public on Nov. 9, 2022, said the flood impacted every aspect of day-to-day life.
B次元官网网址淲hen you look at the countryside, and how itB次元官网网址檚 been devastated, our animals are not there, our sustenance is not thereB次元官网网址� At one time, thatB次元官网网址檚 what we relied on.B次元官网网址�
CookB次元官网网址檚 Ferry Chief Christine Minnabarriet echoed LambreauB次元官网网址檚 sentiments, adding that the reopened highway restores the ability to B次元官网网址渃onnect families and bring them home.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚t provides connection to each other, our resources, hunting, fishing, gathering, even spiritual, but also to health care and other emergency services.B次元官网网址�
Minister of Transportation Rob Fleming said approximately 30 per cent of workers responsible for reopening the highway were Indigenous, providing skilled labour, heavy equipment operation and environmental and archaeological work.
B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 massively over what you would normally see on a heavy construction project. I think (about) sustainability and Indigenous participation in maintaining that corridor going forward,B次元官网网址� said Fleming.
B次元官网网址淐hief Minnabarriet talked about opportunities that may come out of this natural disaster. It was through the restoration and of course it will be in the years to come.B次元官网网址�
Jake.courtepatte@kelownacapnews.com
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