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| Buffalo Skin Shirt |
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Trading Goods: Like other native people, the Secwepemc traded to meet their needs and to have a variety of goods. They traded among their own bands and with other tribes. Each group had different goods to offer, depending on where they lived and what they made. From the Chilcotin, the Secwepemc received dentalium shells, woven goat's hair blankets and belts. They also received marmot skins, snowshoes and rabbit-skin robes. In return, the Secwepemc gave dried salmon, salmon oil, baskets and paint. From the Carrier, some Secwepemc hands received moose skins. In return, they traded deer skins, salmon and oil. With the Okanagan and the Thompson, the Secwepemc traded shells, bags and robes. In return, they received roots, bark, baskets and other items. They also traded with the Cree, the Stonies and the Kootenay. |
Secwepemc people were fortunate to be close to many neighbouring nations who were willing to trade. This was the main way the Secwepemc people accessed materials not readily available in their area.
Items such as large buffalo hides and skins were just some of the trade goods accessed from bartering with the Plains Nations to the Southeast. The Secwepemc people also traded for plants from the interior and the West Coast. The Secwepemc were able to exchange goods like dried fish, berries, roots, and baskets for finished bags, tools, or different types of food items.
Trade usually occurred when different bands or neighbouring tribes would meet to socialize and exchange information. For example after the fishing season the Secwepemc, Okanagans, and Ktunaxa would meet and trade near the Columbia and Kootenay Rivers near the town now known as Castlegar. The people gathered to honour the salmon, so the salmon would always be available to the people just as they have always been. It was also a time to recognize the use of the Arrow Lakes region, and to all the ancestors that fished, hunted, traded, and travelled in the Columbia basin.
Another important place to gather for the Secwepemc, Okanagan, Thompson, Lillooet, and Chilcotin peoples was at Green Lake. This was located in the northern part of the Secwepemc Nation. It was a place to trade, play games, and celebrate. Sometimes partners might be chosen for marriage at these gatherings. Thus new kinship ties would be shared amongst all tribes.
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