Deshanna Tsakoza says spending time at the Klua Lake (Lhuuge Męge) fish camp in northeastern B.C. feels like coming home.
Prophet River First Nation held its second annual spring cultural camp last week at Klua Lakes, to reconnect members with the nation’s historical village site, culture and land-based learning.
“I’m just at peace here,” said Tsakoza, a member of Prophet River First Nation and camp medic.
The camp at Klua Lakes is accessible only by air or amphibious all-terrain vehicle, located just over 20 kilometres as the crow flies from Prophet River, almost 1,000 kilometres northeast of Vancouver.
Tsakoza said her ancestors were forced to leave the village site due to illness — the 1918 flu pandemic — and returning now is healing for her and the community.
“It keeps their culture alive… because our original Prophet people came from here,” said Tsakoza.
“Now we’re finally coming back to where we originally started.”