Once upon a time the band flourished on the banks of the Fraser River. Then White settlers moved into their territories and renamed it New Westminster. The Qayqayt were put on a Reserve, but that was taken away from them too.
Rhonda's mother fled her homeland territories due to racism and shame. She came to Vancouver's Chinatown, where she met Rhonda's father. Rhonda grew up into her teenage years thinking she was Chinese. Then she discovered she was First Nations.
Now Rhonda Larrabee is resurrecting the Qayqayt Nation.
This show originally aired on January 26
Tribes & Treaties
Updated: Tue Feb. 05 2008 18:04:25
ctvbc.ca
One Women Tribe:
Rhonda Larrabee discovered the startling truth about her family origins. She was not of Chinese and French descent as she was told while growing up in Vancouver's Chinatown. Rhonda's mother was First Nations. Then an even bigger shock - Rhonda discovered that she is the last surviving member of the Qayqayt Tribe (New Westminster Band). She is now striving to preserve the cultural legacy that her mother felt forced to reject.
see the pod cast:http://www.ctvbc.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20080127/bc_firststory_women_tribe_080127/20080127/?hub=BritishColumbiaHome
