By Martha Wickett
Contributor
The past and present reunited recently, providing satisfaction and joy for two families in the Shuswap.
Decades ago, Percy Ruth, grandfather to Robin Ruth who is co-owner of Pedro91裸聊视频檚 Farm Market, was good friends with Harry Tomma, father of Leo Tomma and his sisters Patsy, Virginia and Molly.
The Tommas, who are Secw茅pemc, have ties to the region dating back hundreds if not thousands of years. The Tommas live up the Little River 91裸聊视频� across the river from what was the Squilax store until it burned down in the August 2023 wildfires.
In the early 1900s, Harry gave his friend Percy permission to dig around the kekulis, or pit houses, to find artifacts.
91裸聊视频淚 think I was with Mom and Dad when they were in the field there91裸聊视频hen I was little,91裸聊视频� recalled Virginia. 91裸聊视频淭hey were helping the Ruths; the Ruths were one of our friends digging the artifacts.91裸聊视频�
Robin explained that Percy had a cone shed for collecting cones and conifer seeds for his business. That91裸聊视频檚 where Harry and Percy got to know each other.
91裸聊视频淭hey really got along; they liked each other and respected each other,91裸聊视频� said Robin of the two men.
When Leo mentioned the artifacts to the Ruths recently, Robin said he was pleased.
91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檝e had the honour and privilege, my family, to enjoy them, care for them, and honour them for the last 100 years. For them to go home is wonderful as far as we91裸聊视频檙e concerned.91裸聊视频�
The artifacts will be inventoried by archaeologists, where the tool typology will be categorized and they91裸聊视频檒l be dated. The artifacts will be displayed at Quaaout Lodge once it91裸聊视频檚 rebuilt.
Robin said his family is excited and happy they will be there.
91裸聊视频淭hey91裸聊视频檙e truly at home now, and that91裸聊视频檚 all we want,91裸聊视频� he remarked. 91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e very happy and comfortable. It91裸聊视频檚 just a wonderful thing.91裸聊视频�
Among the smoothly carved cultural treasures are small arrowheads, likely for hunting muskrats or squirrels.
Leo said he didn91裸聊视频檛 know until he saw them that they could be made so small.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 a lost art.91裸聊视频�
There are ceremonial pipes, weights for fishing nets, tools for preparing hides, carving tools, a mortar and pestle, a serpent, a frog, small snares, and a cylinder resembling a rolling pin, possibly for grinding corn.
A few of the carvings are jade, which Leo explained would be because the Secw茅pemc people relied on trade and travel to augment the salmon.
The Tomma siblings all expressed happiness at the reunion.
Receiving the artifacts means so much, said Virginia.
91裸聊视频淚 was excited, half crying when it all came home. Our culture came back to us.91裸聊视频�
For Robin, it was powerful to witness.
91裸聊视频淭he looks in their eyes and their faces, they were like kids at Christmas. It was a beautiful thing and that91裸聊视频檚 why it91裸聊视频檚 so right.
Read more:
Read more: Former Little Shuswap Lake Band thriving despite loss of Quaaout Lodge accommodation
