Leaders and members of Tahltan Band last week hosted the Lieutenant Governor of BC, the Honourable Judith Guichon, at a special dinner in Telegraph Creek.
The visit is part of a promise made by the Lieutenant Governor in November 2012 to visit every community and valley in BC during her five year term.
Telegraph Creek is located off Highway 37 in Northern British Columbia where the Stikine River and Telegraph Creek meet. The remote community is more than 100 km along a small gravel road from the nearest town of Dease Lake.
Along the way, it isn’t uncommon to spot moose, bears or foxes all while surrounded by breathtaking views of pristine wilderness. The Lieutenant Governor made the journey with her team and commented on the beauty of Tahltan territory. She talks about the beauty of the nearby Eagle Rock close to the Thadu (the birthplace of the Tahltan Nation).
The Lieutenant Governor posed with Chief Brown and Councillors and complimented the beauty of the territory.
When she arrived, she was warmly welcomed by the Tahltan Band Chief Terri Brown and other members of the community. The Tahltan, who are well known for their warm welcomes, hosted the Honourable Guichon in their Recreation Complex where she shared a meal with and spoke to many Tahltans.The Lieutenant Governor poses with Chief Brown and Councillors while complimenting the beauty of the territory
Around 70 people attended the dinner with a menu that featured local moose, elk and smoked salmon. Not only are the Tahltan known for preparing distinctive local cuisine, they typically welcome guests with traditional singing, drumming and dancing. However a 93-year old Tahltan Elder had passed away that morning – and as a sign of respect for the family, there was no singing or dancing.
The Honourable Guichon spoke to the community and shared personal stories about her family and her youth, referring to herself as a ‘cowgirl’. As the Lieutenant Governor takes an interest promoting youth development, she particularly encouraged the Tahltan youth to more actively participate in their community. Showing her gratitude for the visit, Chief Brown said, ” I was very happy and grateful to welcome the Lieutenant Governor to our community, it was an opportunity for me to share with her the Tahltan way of life- Tahltans are intimately connected to the land and it is so important that we preserve our language and culture.”
Upon leaving, Chief Terri asked the Honourable Guichon to share the stories and her experiences from Telegraph Creek wherever she travels.
Photo Credit: Elliott H. Brown