Annie Zixtkwu York (September 21, 1904 - August 19, 1991)[1] was a distinguished elder of the Nlaka'pamux people (also known as Thompson) of the Spuzzum First Nation of Spuzzum, in Fraser Canyon located in the lower region of British Columbia, Canada.[2] York was raised by her Nlaka'pamux family where she came to be bilingual speaking English and Nlaka'pamuctsin.[1][3] She dedicated herself to the Christian religion and the beliefs of the Nlaka'pamux people, Nle'kepmx.[4] York's family members educated her about the history of Spuzzum as well as the origin of its name, Spuzzum chiefs, and the ethnobotany of the region.[5] York was known to be a storyteller, always recording and sharing stories.[3][4]
Annie York was a co-author of two published novels, Spuzzum: Fraser CanyonHistories 1808-1939[1] and They Write Their Dreams on the Rock Forever: Rock Writings of the Stein River Valley of British Columbia.[6] She was the subject of the movie, Bowl of Bone: Tale of The Syuwe.[7]
Early life
York was born on September 21, 1904, in Spuzzum territory in British Columbia.[1][4] She died August 19, 1991, due to tuberculosis in Spuzzum.[1][4] York was the third of seven children born to William Benjamin and Lucy Palmer York.[1] Her mother was of English and Nlaka'pamux descent while her father was a Nlaka'pamux man whose family all originated from Spuzzum territory.[1] Though York's father was Nlaka'pamux, her mother's mixed heritage did not allow the family to live together in Spuzzum territory.[1] Therefore, York's family moved to Fraser Canyon in British Columbia.[3] In her time in Fraser Canyon, her family prohibited her to return to Spuzzum territory given the situation with her mother.[1] York grew up living with her mother's Nlaka'pamux family as well as with Amelia York, her grandmother from her father's side.[1][3] York came to be bilingual speaking both English and Nlaka'pamux language.[1]
Personal life
York decided to return to Spuzzum territory and live with her aunt Rhoda Urquhart and her cousin Arthur Urquhart.[3] Annie dedicated herself to the Christian religion and the Nlaka'pamux beliefs.[1][4] Because she was bilingual, she prayed and sang in Nlaka'pamuctsin as well as translated it to English.[5] Three songs she translated were "A Song of Seasons", "Simon Fraser's Song", and "The Song for Mount Baker".[4] York was never married nor did she have any children.[1] She spent the last of her years in Spuzzum with her cousin Arthur Urquhart, where they both took care of each other.[3]
Education
York's time was largely spent with her family, listening to family members' stories.[5] Through the stories told, she became educated about Spuzzum's history.[5] York explained that Spuzzum received its name due to how flat the area is and the word spuzzum means flat.[5] York was educated on Spuzzum chiefs and the impact that each chief had on their people.[5] She explained that Chief Paul was known for educating his people about manners and religion through prayers,[5] and Chief Peleck was known for teaching the people about religion by having hymns and prayers be translated to the Nlaka'pamux language.[5] York also was educated in botany.[5][8][9][10] Lastly, in the 1920s, she studied nursing in Merritt, British Columbia, but did not graduate.[3]
Folklore
Annie York was known to be a storyteller who would share the tales about the lakes in British Columbia.[3] York was also known to tape record her stories.[4] One story she told was of a lake near Fraser Canyon, where the logs at the lake would mysteriously move to the center at night, and in the morning, the logs would be spread out again.[11] About Lake Nicola, York recounted the tale of a young girl who saw an eel in the lake and it mysteriously paralyzed her.[11]
Career
Annie York was a co-author of two published novels, Spuzzum: Fraser Canyon Histories 1808-1939[1] and They Write Their Dreams on the Rock Forever: Rock Writings of the Stein River Valley of British Columbia.[6] York assisted and showcased her personal history in the film Bowl of Bone: Tale of the Syuwe.[7]
Spuzzum: Fraser Canyon Histories 1808-1939
The authors of Spuzzum: Fraser Canyon Histories 1808-1939 were Annie York and Andrea Laforet.[1] The novel takes place in Fraser Canyon and occurs during colonization[1] The novel emphasizes and preserves the history of the Nlaka'pamux people undergoing colonization.[1] The history is captured through York's experience along with her knowledge of her family's experiences.[1]
They Write Their Dreams on the Rock Forever: Rock Writings of the Stein River Valley of British Columbia
The authors of They Write Their Dreams on the Rock Forever: Rock Writings of the Stein River Valley of British Columbia are Annie York, Richard Daly, and Chris Arnett.[6] The novel takes place in Stein River Valley in British Columbia.[6] In the novel, Annie York showcases the writings on the rocks and explains the meaning of the writings, giving the reader insights into how people lived in Stein River Valley.[6] This novel was published with the intent of spreading awareness on the importance of the writings on the rocks found in Stein River Valley.[6]
Film
Bowl of Bone: Tale of the Syuwe directed by Jan-Marie Martell and produced by Annie York takes place in the late 1900s.[7] The film brings the audience along Martell's journey in meeting York and in learning about the Syuwe under York's unique teaching style.[7]
In media
Featured in journals
Annie York's knowledge about Spuzzum's history, lifestyle, and botany has led to her inclusion in several published works.[3]
The Original "Free Trade": Exchange of Botanical Products and Associated Plant Knowledge in Northwestern North America by Nancy J. Turner and Dawn C. Loewen.[8]
Thompson Ethnobotany: Knowledge and Usage of Plants by the Thompson Indians of British Columbia written by Nancy Turner, Laurence Thompson, M. Terry Thompson, and Annie York.[9]
"That was Our Candy!": Sweet Foods in Indigenous Peoples' Traditional Diets in Northwestern North America written by Nancy J. Turner.[10]
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