http://www.bclocalnews.com/greater_vancouver/burnabynewsleader/news/14442982.html
We are the Qayqayt
Rhonda Larabee is the chief of the New Westminster band, which now has about 50 members. They hope to get back some of their ancestoral lands which were taken almost 100 years ago. MARIO BARTEL NEWSLEADER
Rhonda Larrabee was researching at the New Westminster Public Library when she came across a book describing the history of New Westminster.
Published early in the 19th Century, it showed its age—not just the dusty old cover but the words inside.
“Dirty heathen cur dogs” read a passage describing New Westminster’s native population.
Larrabee was furious as she read the words.
She slammed the book down then flung it across the room. A librarian, hearing the outburst, threatened to throw her out of the library.
“I’m not leaving,” Larrabee replied.
Larrabee had been exploring her roots, trying to understand where she came from.
For the first 24 years of her life, she didn’t even know she was First Nations.
But once she found out, it became her quest to put together the past and assemble the pieces for a better future for herself—and for her people.
She was in the library researching the history of New Westminster’s native band, the Qayqayt (KEE-Kite). She discovered few details, because little information is available—it’s almost as if they never existed.
read more of the article, click here: We are the Qayqayt
