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NewsUpper Similkameen and Princeton Talk Housing and Archaeology at Vermilion Forks

Upper Similkameen and Princeton Talk Housing and Archaeology at Vermilion Forks

In an update meeting on April 16, 2025, chief and council of Upper Similkameen Indian Band (USIB) and Princeton’s mayor and council met to talk about how to support the town and all valley residents with needed housing developments that respect protected archaeology sites and recognize Sməlqmix cultural connections to the Vermilion Forks area.

In early April, with the arrival of fine Spring weather, layers of concrete and asphalt were peeled back from an industrial looking parking lot on the west side of Princeton, BC. Builders of a new housing development watched, along with archaeologists from the Upper Similkameen Indian Band (USIB), as the paved surface was removed. Underneath, the outlines of an ancient site, with significant archeology. Based on samples taken from the sandy soil, the site is likely thousands of years old and much more intact than expected. The developers are considering redesigning the subsurface work to reduce impact, working with USIB to plan further excavation required by the
BC Heritage Conservation Act, and working with Princeton on any needed changes to building
permits.

This west Princeton lot is a great example of why the town of Princeton and Upper Similkameen are working together to plan for housing and other development. It is located on a set of flats between Highway 3 and the Similkameen River, just downstream from the confluence with the Tulameen. The ball diamonds of Memorial Park and USIB’s Vermillion Forks reserve (IR 1) share the same flats. Oral histories and archival records recognize the area as an important Similkameen village and gathering place, especially for trading ochre, a mineral mined upstream in the Tulameen area. The colonial governments of BC recognized Similkameen Indian Reserves at Vermillion Forks in the 1860’s. Agreements between USIB, Princeton, and the Rotary Club to jointly manage and protect the Memorial Park area for the benefit of USIB members and other Princeton residents date back to the 1940’s.

Quotes:
“We know everybody needs a place to live, and we are willing to work together on it … Our people always lived at Vermillion Forks, on both sides of the river… a lot of effort went into trying to erase us, but we are still here… Archaeology is one of the ways our ancestors talk to us, and when they talk, we need to listen. It’s our history and it’s part of this place, for all of us. We owe it to our grandkids to pay attention… This area [Vermillion Forks] is a wintering ground for all the animals. For us, it’s one of our favorite places. It’s like a breadbasket for us – it has everything from the animals to the roots and berries to the fish in the rivers. We didn’t have to hunt far. With all the animals moving through on their annual round, they came to us…”
Mike Allison, USIB Council member.

“As a local government, our role is not only to ensure building permits are properly administered but also to assist developers in clearly understanding their responsibilities, facilitating successful project completion. We continually acknowledge that our community resides on the unceded traditional territory of the Similkameen people. This recognition provides an important opportunity to strengthen our collaboration with the Upper Similkameen Indian Band (USIB). The relationship between the Town of Princeton and USIB is foundational—when it thrives, it opens doors to greater opportunities for all who live within the Similkameen Valley.”

Mayor Spencer Coyne
“We have an existing MoU [memorandum of understanding] with Princeton, and we can improve
that as part of renewing the relationship. We are going to work together to find resources so we
can better understand and map potential for archaeology. We need to work together to plan for
housing and growth that benefits everybody, while also recognizing the land, water, and history that makes Princeton and the whole Similkameen such a great place to live.”
Bonnie Jacobsen, Chief, USIB.

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