Our Work at Vallican
Marilyn James shows an ancient grinding bowl to a local school class at the Sinixt village site in Vallican, British Columbia in 2012.
Sinixt Nation Pithouse at Nkweio-xten (Vallican)
About Us
Sinixt Nation are the sovereign caretakers of sinixt tum'xula7xw (territory), located in the area now known as the interior of BC, Canada, extending North of Revelstoke as far south as Kettle Falls, WA, and surrounded by the Monashee and Purcell Mountains. Sinixt Nation puts our land, our water, our ancestors and our ways before economics.
In 1956, the government of Canada declared us extinct and has refused ever since to allow Sinixt people to our inherent right to Sinixt interests, including land title, in our territory. For over 25 years the appointed Sinixt Nation representatives have actively protected and stood up for Sinixt lands and interests and the interests of the local community in regards to watershed protection in the nortern part of our territory.
To date we have repatriated 64 ancestral remains and have followed and protected our cultural laws.
Sinixt Nation Headman, Llmixm Ki-x'u-x'us-kit (Vance Robert Campbell), was appointed by Sinixt Headman Francis Romero and a Council of Sinixt elders and Clan Mothers at our ancient village and burial grounds of nkweio-xten (Vallican, BC).
Sinixt Nation official spokesperson Marilyn James was appointed by a Sinixt Council of Elders and Clan Mothers in 1991 at a meeting near Westbank BC. She was confirmed as spokesperson by a Council of Elders again on October 8th,1995 when her position was questioned by a sinixt man, Mr. M. George.
Marilyn has work exhaustedly to protect sinixt tum'xula7xw for future generations, read more about her work here and here.
Robert Watt, Sinixt Nation Caretaker and warrior was appointed also by a Council of Elders and Clan Mothers based on his warrior spirit to take care of his people. For over 20 years, Robert, in a good way has held the responsibility to care for the land, elders, animals and water in sinixt territory. Robert also for the last 20 years has fought a legal battle not just for himself but for all indigenous people living along the US/Canada International Boundary. Very recently he was forced to abandon the Robert Watt vs The Queen case because he could not come up with the quoted $800,000 to continue. This is a major loss for all cross-border nations. Visit our Resource section to learn more.
If you are a Sinixt decendant we encourage you get in contact with us for enrollment or for more information what we are doing to protect your interest as a Sinixt skiluxw(human being). Please use our website links to educate yourself further.
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