The Arrow Lakes Band ceased to exist as a band for the purpose of the Indian Act... It does not, however,
mean that the Sinixt ceased to exist as a tribal group."
-- Minister of Indian Affairs
August 9, 1995
Many of us in the Columbia Basin were born somewhere else. Most families can only trace their ties to this land back 2 or 3 generations. There have long been voices here, however.
Carbon-dated remains reveal that beginning at least 5000 years ago these lands were home to an indigenous culture. Sometimes called the Arrow Lakes People, the Sinixt Nation flourished by respecting ever facet in the web of life.
Little is known locally about those who came before us, and although many myths and misconceptions about the Sinixt abound, their culture is still alive, still connected with this land, and still determined to leave a legacy to the next generation.