Kootenay History Symposium

Course Overview

The Kootenay History Symposium brings together writers, researchers, and community members to share and explore the rich history of the Columbia-Kootenay region. Held in Creston as a central and accessible location, the event features panel discussions, audience engagement, and opportunities to connect and network.

Speakers and topics include:

• A welcome from Chief Chris Luke of Yaqan Nukiy
• Kevin Nichol, who has written a book on the history of Dick Fry, who founded what is now Bonners Ferry. Kevin will talk and show slides about his canoe trip on the Columbia River, retracing David Thompson’s journey
• Dr. Joyce Green, Professor Emerita from the University of Regina, discussing the the phenomenon of colonialism and its grounding in white supremacy and Eurocentricism
• Joe Pierre, former chief of the Aqam, will share the creation story. Joe is a member of the Ktunaxa Nation and has worked in education, theatre, and television
• Sean Macpherson will speak about the role of Colonel Sam Steele in his contact with the Ktunaxa. Sean has worked on Kootenay history for many years, working collaboratively with Ktunaxa Nation
• Dr. Louis Knafla, History Professor Emeritus from the University of Calgary, will discuss the legal culture of the peoples of the Kootenays from 1865 to 1915.
• Eileen Delehantty Pearkes will provide, via video link, her take on the outcome of the negotiations of the Columbia River Treaty. Eileen has written three highly acclaimed books about the Columbia River
• Michael Cone will discuss steam navigation on Kootenay Lake. Michael has written a detailed and highly researched book about travel in the Kootenays, called Connecting the Kootenays, including the history of sternwheelers, trains, highways, and ferries
• Dr. Marcel Dirk will discuss the long controversy in the building of Duck Lake in his talk, titled Not A Flat Debate But a Debate About the Flats Duck Lake
• Dr. Luanne Armstrong will trace the fate of William Baillie Grohman
• Greg Nesteroff will outline the secret past of John Morgan Harris
• Wayne Choquette, renowned archaeologist, talking about the Kootenays as “a land of edges,”
• Dr. Duff Sutherland, who has taught for many years at Selkirk College, will outline the Kootenay Logger Strikes of 1923 and 1924

Speakers only – $65 + GST

Speakers & dinner ticket – $80 + GST