Book explores early relationship between Indigenous people and Smithers settlers

A new book aims to document the difficult relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples during the early days of the town of Smithers.

In the early 1900s, many Witsuwit'en Indigenous peoples wentto live in Smithersin northwestern B.C. after they were pushed off their traditional territories, according to Tyler McCreary, author of Shared Histories.

Up until the 1960s, it was common for towns like Smithers to have an Indigenous settlementwith a mix of formal and informal housing, said McCreary, an assistant professor of geography at Florida State University.

These were often located on the fringes of urban communities.

The Smithers' version of this enclave was located on the edge of town, was informally known asIndian Town.

"I think this is telling about the ways that we think about our communities and who belongs," McCreary told Daybreak North guest host Andrew Kurjata.

Shared Histories, which explores themes of racism, distrust and reconciliation, began with unanswered questions about the destruction of Indian Town.

The community existed from the early1900sto 1967 when the municipality destroyed the final house.

Town officials levelled Indian Townto make way for more development of settler housing, according toMcCreary, who grew up in the area where Indian Town used to stand.

End of Indian Town

In the 1930s, a number of Witsuwit'en residents participated in a tax revolt,fighting for the right for their children to attend public school along with the children of othertaxpayers.

This movement came after the daughter of Witsuwit'enleaderJack Joseph died in a residential school, says McCreary.

But the Indigenous childrenwere refused entrance to public schools. In response,mostWitsuwit'en peoples in Indian Town refused to pay their taxes.

As a result, the municipalitytook the deeds to their homes away and Indian Town residents were treated like squatters from then on.

Over the years, a number of houses were lost to fire, according to McCreary, andpeople were unable to rebuild due to lack of insurance. In time,the Indigenous community slowly eroded.

"Part of what this book is trying to do is engage a community conversation about how we understand our community and where it comes from. And begin to think about and recognize the contributions of, not only settlers, but Indigenous peoples building these towns and communities."

Listen to the full interview:

With files from Daybreak North