Letter From Archeologist Gordon Mohs 1992

May 29 1992,

To Whom It May Concern,

My name is Gordon Mohs. I am currently employed as a heritage consultant with the Sto:lo Tribal Council in Sardis, British Columbia.

In 1981, I directed archeological excavations at the Vallican site (DjQj 1) in the Slocan Valley, Southeastern British Columbia. As project director, I was responsible for preparing a preliminary report, entitled: “Archeological Investigations at the Vallican Site (DjQj 1) , Slocan Valley, Southeastern British Columbia, 1982” is currently on file at the Archeology Branch, Parliament Buildings, Victoria BC, V8V 1X4.

In preparing the preliminary report on our findings, considerable time and effort was spent researching the native peoples of the region, including various aspects of their culture history. A synthesis of this information is presented in the report (pp. 30 – 73).

Based on my research, I would like to affirm both the existance of the Lakes (or Sinixt or Sngaytskstx) Indians and the fact they traditionally occupied a considerable tract of territory in the West Kootenay region of British Columbia, including the area covered by the Vallican archeological site. As noted in my report, many members of the Lakes tribe migrated (around the turn of the century) and took up residence on the Colville Reservation in Washington State. Others took up residence elsewhere in the Canadian Platue area.

Attached to this letter is a copy of what i have written on the Lakes Indians. Also enclosed is a copy of my Vitae.

I am willing to swear that the statemens I have made in this letter are true.

Sincerly yours,
(SIGNED)
Gordon Mohs
Heritage Consultant
Sto:lo Tribal Council

Witnessed by:
(SIGNED)
Vincent Harper
Biologist
Sto:lo Tribal Council

This 29th day of May, 1992