Pellt'iq't

Our Heritage

Pellt'iq't Heritage Whispering Pines / Clinton Indian Band, formerly Clinton Indian Band, is one of the smallest indian bands in the Shuswap Nation. Documentation shows at one time the Band population was approximately 10000 members but was obliterated by small pox, currently the Bands population is 105 people both on and off the reserve.

Whispering Pines Band Members were originally located just outside of the Village of Clinton on Highway 97 in the lower Cariboo region and were known as the Clinton Band.

The location of the Reserve next to Clinton had a total of three seperate parcels of land. Reserve #1, #2, #2A and #3 were comprised of approximate total of 1596.59 acres. In February of 1972 the Whispering Pines / Clinton Indian Band with the assistance of Indian Affairs exchanged land between the Band and BC Hydro.

The exchange of acreage for reserve #2 and #2A for the current Whispering Pines, Reserve #4, located within the Shuswap Nation Territory, approximately thirty-five kilometers north of Kamloops, on the west side of the North Thompson River.

The Clinton Band retained its original name until 1986, when the Chief, Council and community members changed the name to "Whispering Pines" to coincide with the Whispering Pines Indian Reserve #4. The "Clinton" name now refers to Clinton Indian Reserve #1, #3, and #5 & #6. Clinton Reserve #3 is a salmon-fishing rock on the Fraser River, Indian Reserve #5 & #6 are Ancestral Indian Burial Grounds.

Fishing rights, documented and recognized by the Federal Government are held and utilized at Hihium, Loon and Green Lakes. Federally recognized inherent aboriginal rights of hunting and fishing are exercised within the Pellt'iq't Territory as well as in other areas of Canada. Traditional uses of gathering medicines and foods are practiced.

Within the Pellt'iq't Traditional Territory potlatches were held by the Secwepemc Communities and other First Nations. These gatherings held a very important role for our people as they were utilized as a form of governing our respective territories. They also played a special role in games, food, giveaways & exchanges.

•WPCIB © 2007 •