Today’s Poll

An Evening with 'Extinct' Sinixt People

Contributor
By Contributor
April 8th, 2016

On Thursday March 24th, Margaret-Anne Murphy and Scott Martens met Marilyn James at the Skeads ranch in Vallican on unceded Sinixt tum’xula7xw (territory).

Margaret-Anne and Scott were the organizers of the March 5th fundraising event in Nelson, “An Evening with ‘Extinct’ Sinixt People”, that was attended by over 150 people.

At the two-day Skeads ranch camp, Sinixt elder Marilyn James shared traditional stories with children around a camp fire, including one about the creation of the Columbia River.

Towards the end of the day’s activities, the organizers of the fundraiser presented Marilyn with $3,117.45 and venison that was donated for Smum’iem at the event.

After receiving the cheque and donation, Marilyn described the various projects that Smum’iem is currently working on that include supporting women, the homeless and other marginalized people within the area.

She also told those present that the organization is eager to fund other projects that promote the principles of Smum’iem.

After being asked how settlers can continue to help Sinixt initiatives, Marilyn James responded by stressing the importance of continuing to discuss the ways in which Indigenous people have been affected by colonialism and to take steps on the path of decolonization.

For more information and/or to make a donation, please visit: sinixtnation.org.

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