This past week, I attended a creative research gathering for Sech’iziqi Arts and Culture Society in Xeni Gwe’tin.
Sech’iziqi was created by Helen Haig-Brown as a means to foster both research and creative and cultural resurgence of Tsilhqot’in art practices. Back in 2021, Helen contacted me to begin my work as a researcher collecting information regarding the Tsilhqot’in War, specifically looking at cultural practices noted by ethnographer James Teit. I worked on this project for half a year before I had my child and then took a hiatus from the project to focus on parenthood. I rejoined the group this past May to support a research push for a community-based gathering in late August.
In 2024, Helen created the society and ensured this research exist within the scope of the society’s mission and objective. The focus of the gathering in late August was to bring the researchers (Myself, Deana and Linda) together to present our findings (all works in progress) to the creative researchers which consisted of Tsilhqot’in people who were selected to lead creative practices or object making related to traditional materials/costumes/weapons and other items.
Leading up to this meeting, I felt very nervous about what I was able to contribute in terms of research. I wasn’t sure if it was “enough” for the creative researchers. Some realizations that I had with this research push is that Teit has a considerable focus on Tsilhqot’in basket-making and traditional dwellings which is currently not useful information for this initial project phase. I began scanning other academic documents to fill the gaps of the creative research and by the time the deadline occurred for this meeting, I felt more confident with how our research was presents collectively.
When the time came to travel North, I was nervous and excited. I’ve participated in a lot of creative gatherings for Indigenous artists, writers and creative types in a broader urban sense. In Spring 2024, First Peoples’ Culture Council invited me to an artist retreat which I very much appreciated. I gained a lot of great insight and support from the connections developed at that event. But this meeting in Xeni was different, it was comprised of mostly Tsilhqot’in people and was directly supporting cultural and historical practices as a form of resurgence.
I was warned by my family that I needed to drive very slow on the dirt road that makes it way to Xeni, which ultimately was good advice. The road was mostly fine but there was definitely some intense washboard stretches and if you took an incline or turn with too much speed, the gravel would cause you vehicle to slide. Nonetheless, I arrived in good time and waited for the arrival of everyone else.
As people trickled in over the two-night stay, I was glad to finally meet people in person and have the opportunity to connect with creative-minded people – many of us shared relations. It’s not often where I get to meet Tsilhqot’in people with a similar focus and objective, it felt incredibly special.
I left Xeni and headed back to Williams Lake to catch my flight home (only to have it cancelled, so I spent more time with my auntie before heading out the next day). I feel tired but excited. Exhausted but filled with purpose.
