History
I hope these notes about the park's history enhance your next visit. You'll be able to point out where the graveyard is and where the lake was. Those faint marks you see here and there in the grass won't be a mystery any more. Do you know where the wading pool was? Read on and you'll know that and more.
1700's
The Kwantlen First Nation came to the Surrey - New Westminster area many hundreds of years ago. By three hundred years ago they were a powerful nation with a large community called Squaimetl (sx_woyimehl) where New Westminster is now. A smaller fishing camp, Kikait (Qiqá:yt), was on the Surrey side of the river. It was located where the south ends of the Pattulo and Skytrain bridges touch land again. Their extensive territory stretched from Mud Bay and the south arm of the Fraser, up the river to a little past Mission. They controlled the trade that passed through the area and harvested the riches it provided.
The North Surrey area had many of these riches. Deer, elk and game birds were abundant. The Fraser and other streams yielded fresh water fish and the all important salmon during spawning seasons. Salal berries, cranberries and huckleberries were gathered from the bogs and forests. The Kwantlen dug the roots of cinquefoil and wild clover to steam and eat. The area also provided material for tools, baskets and the many other items used by the First Nations people.
The Kwantlen Park area was also important for another reason. It was a place of refuge. The Southern Kwakiutl or "Laich-kwil-tach" people from the Campbell River region regularly raided the Kwantlen nation for slaves and goods. The park area was a close, convenient place to retreat to. It had good water in a small lake and stream that ran through the park. There were many open pockets in the forest where you could set up camp without being found. The high ground overlooking the river also made it easy to watch for any approaching raiders.
In 1782 a great calamity struck this nation of thousands. A smallpox epidemic, coupled with various other diseases brought by the European arrival on the west coast of America, swept north through the west coast tribes. Within 15 years the Kwantlen nation was reduced to well under 200 survivors. It was a tragic end to the Kwantlen's power and wealth.
randy@kwantlenpark.ca
Updated Feb. 28, 2009 Copyright 2009