1926 Alexandra Bridge Rehabilitation Project

NPTGS is proud to be among the partners in this exciting project led by the Spuzzum First Nation to preserve the historic 1926 Alexandra Bridge and develop the adjacent site’s heritage tourism potential. Project partners also include the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI), BC Parks, the Heritage Branch as well as Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, civic governments, destination marketing organizations, community organizations, and local businesses. For more information, please visit the project’s Facebook page.

Cariboo Waggon Road Restoration Project

The Cariboo Waggon Road Restoration Project is restoring intact, accessible sections of the road in Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities from Yale to Lillooet to Barkerville. The project is being coordinated by NPTGS, which has in partnership with those, communities and other organizations have restored over 150 km of this historic route built on ancient Indigenous trade routes. For more information, please visit the project Facebook page.

Chief Cexpe’nthlEm Park Project

The Chief Cexpe’nthlEm Park Project is a partnership between the Lytton First Nation, Village of Lytton, the St. Barnabas Parish (Territory of the People Anglican Church) and NPTGS. The project will see this historic site fenced, landscaped and considerable interpretive signage installed to create a fitting memorial to a leader who is a founder of modern British Columbia. For updates, please see the NPTGS Facebook page.

NPTGS acknowledges the financial support of the Province of British Columbia for this project.

Gold Rush Snowmobile Trail

The Gold Rush Snowmobile Trail runs from Clinton to Horsefly and is based on ancient trails, old logging roads and with some overlap on the Cariboo Waggon Road. The family-oriented trail system can be used by other outdoor enthusiasts like hikers, cyclists, bird watchers as well as snowmobilers, making it a year-round tourism asset. For more information, please visit the GRST website.

NPTGS acknowledges the financial support of the Province of British Columbia for this project.

Yale Historic Site Reinvention Project

In partnership with four local First Nations, the Forager Foundation, Heritage BC and other partners, NPTGS is working to help transform the Yale Museum into an Indigenously-focused cultural space. Partners include the Yale, Spuzzum, Chawathil and Boston Bar First Nations. For updates, please see the NPTGS Facebook page.

Heritage Trails Project

Working with its partners, the NPTGS has built or restored over 230 kilometres of heritage trails in the Hope-Barkerville corridor. Current projects include the Xatśūll Trails (in partnership with the Xatśūll First Nation) and Gold Rush Snowmobile Trail (in partnership with District of 100 Mile House and National Trails Coalition).

Gold Rush/Spirit Trails Brand Marketing Strategy

NPTGS has played a leading role in this partnership with the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association and associated Regional Destination Marketing Organizations to reinvigorate the marketing of the Gold Rush/Spirit Trail brand.

Baskets and Bannock

This moving ceremony was held at the Yale Historic Site on December 16, 2023 to celebrate the return of Indigenous artefacts to the museum. There was drumming, singing, storytelling, and even a few tears. The ceremony marked a pivotal step in honouring Indigenous perspectives and history at the site and was part of the Yale Historic Site Reinvention Project. Funding to livestream the ceremony was provided by the Community Services Recovery Fund.

First Fish Ceremony

For the past several years, the Spuzzum First Nation has invited the public to participate in this ancient ceremony in part to help promote the 1926 Alexandra Bridge Rehabilitation Project. The event on July 29, 2023 in the picnic area of Alexandra Bridge Provincial Park including prayers, songs and a performance by champion hoop dancer Alex Wells. Funding to livestream the ceremony was provided by the Community Services Recovery Fund.

“Long Road to Cariboo” Video

NPTGS was one of the principal funders for this award-winning video by Richard Wright and Amy Newman of Winter Quarters Productions. It shows life along the long road to the Cariboo Gold Fields and includes a performance by NPTGS Director Mike Retasket. The video was praised by the B.C. Multiculturalism Branch’s anti-racism program, which also provided funding. To date, Long Road to Cariboo has won some XX awards.

1926 Alexandra Bridge Rehabilitation Project Promo Video

Narrated by Indigenous artist Ronnie Dean Harris, this video documents the history of the Alexandra Bridge in the traditional territory of the Spuzzum First Nation and the work being done to preserve it. It is a product of the 1926 Alexandra Bridge Rehabilitation Project, which has received funding the province of British Columbia.

“Nam Sing: A Man for Gold Mountain” Video

This 2022 Richard Wright/Amy Newman film documents the life of Nam Sing, one of the earliest Chinese pioneers who traveled the length of the gold trails before setting up a farm in Quesnel. From there, he supplied Barkerville with produce and cattle. He also employed many Indigenous cowboys and workers to bring his goods to town. The film won four awards and/or festival finalist and was in part financed by the New Pathways to Gold Society.

100 Mile House Bike Repair Station Opening

On October 19, 2021, there was a ribbon cutting to open the bike repair station at the South Cariboo Visitor Centre in 100 Mile House as part of the Cariboo Waggon Road Restoration Project. Okay, we used a mountain bike inner tube, not a ribbon, because we thought it more fitting. Canim Lake Band Elder Irene Charlie give the blessing and Chief Roy Fletcher of the Highbar First Nation was one of the dignitaries in attendance.

Celebrating Lily Chow

On October 24, 2020, NPTGS, partners, supporters and friends gathered in Ashcroft to celebrate Lily Chow on her retirement as the NPTGS Multicultural Director. Part of the festivities included awarding Lily the first-ever Lily Chow Cedar-Bamboo Heritage Award. This award comes with $1,000 in cash and had been supported by Mike McDonald, the Chinese Storytelling Centre and the NPTGS.