Nyan Wheti
Encyclopedia
Nyan Wheti is an ancient land route in northern British Columbia
, Canada
from the Dakelh
villages on Fraser Lake (Nadlehbunk'ut) to villages on Stuart Lake
(Nak'albun), about 50km to the north. The name in Carrier
means "The Way Across."
The trail was used by the Dakelh people for as a major trade, travel and communication line, and its use only increased when European fur trade
forts were set up on the two lakes, Fort Fraser and Fort St. James respectively. From Stuart Lake, the route follows Sowchea Creek south to Nanna (Chus-Kan) Lake, then past Marie (Kwah) Lake, Sutherland Lake, and Pitka Mountain, where it passes through the Porte de l'enfer (Hell's Gate) Pass, ending finally in Nadleh Village
on Fraser Lake. From Nadleh, the Cheslatta Trail
continues south to Cheslatta Lake.
At present, the trailhead in Fort St. James is located at the end of Baker Drive, off Sowchea road, between Paarens Beach Provincial Park
and Sowchea Bay Provincial Park
. It ends near the Nadleh Whut'en First Nation reserve, just off the Yellowhead Highway. It is a class 5 trail, and it recommended only for skilled hikers.
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
from the Dakelh
Dakelh
The Dakelh or Carrier are the indigenous people of a large portion of the Central Interior of British Columbia, Canada.Most Carrier call themselves Dakelh, meaning "people who go around by boat"...
villages on Fraser Lake (Nadlehbunk'ut) to villages on Stuart Lake
Stuart Lake
Stuart Lake, or Nak'albun in the Carrier language is a lake situated in the Northern Interior of British Columbia, Canada. The town of Fort St. James is situated by the lake near the outlet...
(Nak'albun), about 50km to the north. The name in Carrier
Carrier language
The Carrier language is a Northern Athabaskan language. It is named after the Dakelh people, a First Nations people of the Central Interior of British Columbia, Canada, for whom Carrier is the usual English name. People who are referred to as Carrier speak two related languages. One,...
means "The Way Across."
The trail was used by the Dakelh people for as a major trade, travel and communication line, and its use only increased when European fur trade
Fur trade
The fur trade is a worldwide industry dealing in the acquisition and sale of animal fur. Since the establishment of world market for in the early modern period furs of boreal, polar and cold temperate mammalian animals have been the most valued...
forts were set up on the two lakes, Fort Fraser and Fort St. James respectively. From Stuart Lake, the route follows Sowchea Creek south to Nanna (Chus-Kan) Lake, then past Marie (Kwah) Lake, Sutherland Lake, and Pitka Mountain, where it passes through the Porte de l'enfer (Hell's Gate) Pass, ending finally in Nadleh Village
Nadleh Whut'en First Nation
The Nadleh Whut'en First Nation is a First Nations government of the Dakelh people, whose territory is located in the Central Interior of British Columbia, Canada, around the east end of Fraser Lake. The nation has seven reserves which Indian and Northern Affairs Canada refer to as IR#1-9. The...
on Fraser Lake. From Nadleh, the Cheslatta Trail
Cheslatta Trail
The Cheslatta Trail is an ancient land route from the Dakelh villages of Behlk'achele and Sdughachola on Cheslatta Lake to Nadleh Village on Fraser Lake...
continues south to Cheslatta Lake.
At present, the trailhead in Fort St. James is located at the end of Baker Drive, off Sowchea road, between Paarens Beach Provincial Park
Paarens Beach Provincial Park
Paarens Beach Provincial Park is a provincial park in central British Columbia, Canada. It is located on the south-west shore of Stuart Lake, to the west of Fort St. James....
and Sowchea Bay Provincial Park
Sowchea Bay Provincial Park
Sowchea Bay Provincial Park is a provincial park in central British Columbia, Canada. It is on Stuart Lake, west of Prince George. The park is 13 hectares in area. It is a busy destination for boaters and anglers, with a single lane concrete boat launch available with limited parking.-External...
. It ends near the Nadleh Whut'en First Nation reserve, just off the Yellowhead Highway. It is a class 5 trail, and it recommended only for skilled hikers.
Further reading
- Marie Elliott, "The Nyan Wheti-Duzcho Trail System", in BC History, Issue 43:2 (Summer 2010)