1906, BC: Chief Joe Capilano to speak in Chinook to huge Native crowd about meeting the King
Returning from a visit with King Edward of England, an important Indigenous leader is expected to tell a large gathering of British Columbia Aboriginal people about their conversation.
Image credit: Wikipedia
Sa7plek, Chief Joe Capilano (circa 1854-1910) of the Vancouver-area Skwxwú7mesh (a.k.a. “Squamish” Salish) people, was a noted advocate for the rights of all Native people in the province.
Therefore, tribal people from all over BC were expected to gather at Mission on the lower Fraser River to hear him report.
And therefore, he was going to talk to them in Chinuk Wawa, to provide a single language that all could understand.
Another good reason to talk in Chinook Jargon: to ensure that Settlers would hear and understand what he’s saying…
…This gathering at Mission will be a memorable one in Indian history. Between 300 and 500 Indians are expected to be present. They will come from the Fraser river valley as far up as Hope and from points along the coast as far north as Bute Inlet. Chief Joe will address the assemblage in Chinook…
— from “Chief Joe Comes Home”, in the Nelson (BC) Daily News of August 29, 1906, page 1, column 2
