Catherine Kenoras

Catherine (Calhoun) Kenoras Kye7e
September 27, 1907 - March 10, 1999.

Catherine was born and raised in Skeetchestn. Kye7e was seven when she started her role as a Secwepemc woman early in life when her mother passed away. In her time at the residential school she was taught sewing, gardening, and Roman Catholic religion. She taught herself to read.

Catherine travelled to Adams Lake on a buck-board to an arranged marriage to Nels Kenoras. "My father told me I'd be going to marry a logger and a farmer." She and Nels were married June 18, 1927. Catherine mothered twelve and raised eleven children with Nels as well as many foster children. Most of Kye7e's children were born at home.

She believed in an open door policy which ensured no one went away from her home hungry. She worked hard beside her husband haying, cutting wood, peeling poles, and logging. All the work was done by horse-drawn equipment. She was skilled in many traditional activities: basket making, food gathering, preserving, and fluently spoke her Secwepemc language.

Kye7e was leader in church prayers and singing. After ensuring her daughters knew the songs, she expected them to carry on. She actively supported the Chase Lakers fastball team.

Catherine shared her love with all people. When all the work was done there was lots of fun to be had. There would be dances every two weeks. Many people were musicians who could play the fiddle, guitar, banjo, and accordion. People would dance for three nights. A canner of coffee was in the middle of the floor and people dined on bologna sandwiches. Before the halls were built, the dances were held at peoples' homes. There was no such thing as baby sitters then, the whole family went to the dances. Nels' daughters were instructed to behave because he was the policeman. (Text taken from Kye7e's program.)