“Our Government is pleased to see progress on the continuation of twinning of Highway 1, which will have long-lasting benefits for the communities and businesses along this heavily-used highway. These improvements will also help reduce collisions and will make driving safer for everyone in the region.”
- Cathy McLeod, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Labour and for Western Economic Diversification and Member of Parliament for Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo
“By working with First Nations communities along this section of the Trans-Canada Highway, we continue to make it safer and more reliable for all travellers and for those who live along the corridor, as well as help to ensure that goods can get to market on this extremely important trade route.”
- Todd Stone, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure
“Safety has been an ongoing concern for the Trans-Canada Highway. The four-laning directly involves our communities in various studies, contractual work and most importantly in the protection of our cultural sites and ancestral burial landform. The entire corridor is recognized as origins of our Secwepemc People, which date back 6,000 to 8,000 years ago. Continued protection and management of the existing sites and the new finds is critical. Direct involvement in planning, design and construction along with recognition of our title/rights and people is key.”
- Chief Judy Wilson, Neskonlith Indian Band
“The Trans-Canada Highway lies within the Secwepemc Cradle of Civilization. Numerous archaeological discoveries have uncovered Secwepemc habitation, quarries, and ancient burials throughout the Monte Creek to Hoffman’s Bluff expansion, increasing the known history of this area, and substantiating Aboriginal title and rights. Sexqéltkemc te Secwepemc are collectively protecting culturally significant sites, settlements and burial sites along the Trans-Canada Highway expansion, while encouraging a safer highway system through our Secwepemc territory.”
- Chief Wayne Christian, Splatsin
“The archaeology information gathered by the Secwepemc of our history has challenged current anthropology ideas, and we are discovering and recording our history, and providing continuity to our ancestors.”
- Chief Nelson Leon, Adams Lake Band
