Líl̓wat Nation collaborated with Pemberton Valley Trails Association and Pemberton Off Road Cycling Association
May 13, 2022
The Líl̓wat Nation has worked collaboratively with the Pemberton Valley Trails Association (PVTA) and the Pemberton Off Road Cycling Association (PORCA) to develop a Trails Master Plan in response to the number of trails related referrals coming to our Nation. Through this work, the Nation identified the need to further protect the registered archeological site near the Cream Puff trail. This site was also identified as an A7x7ūlḿecw site in the Land Use Planning Agreement between The Líl̓wat Nation And The Province of British Columbia and is registered with the Provincial Archeology branch for further protection.
The trail has been re-routed and fencing has been installed based on the workplan identified in the Trails Master Plan (https://www.slrd.bc.ca/sites/default/files/reports/PVRTMP%20Oct%201%202020%20final.pdf). The Trails Master Plan was developed in conjunction with and reviewed by staff and the Líl̓wat Nation Referrals Committee at length over a period of more than two years. The Trails Master Plan was approved by the Líl̓wat Nation Referrals Committee and guides on-going collaborative work.
Cream Puff and the Nation’s sacred site are identified several times through the document:
• The need to protect the archaeological site at the Cream Puff trail (page 20);
• Develop a protective fence and interpretive signage at the petroglyph site located on the existing Cream Puff trail (spirited ground site #27) to highlight and protect this cultural site. (page 49)
• Protection of the petroglyph site on Cream Puff Trail is a high priority. Further, work with private landowners should be undertaken to erect a more permanent barrier along Cream Puff and realign the Cream Puff Trail around the archaeological site. Signage should be installed at the site and may include education and awareness of the cultural site; (page 49)
While we understand that some people may still not endorse a bike race happening on this trail, we felt it was important to highlight the work has been done on this issue.
Ku̓kwpi7 Skalúlmecw Political Chief Dean Nelson