Husband and wife Rick and Jeanie McLean, both members of the Tahltan Nation, stumbled upon significant stones during a beach outing that shed light on the historical ties and diplomatic relations between neighboring nations. The couple, with Rick being a former Tahltan chief and Jeanie a former Yukon cabinet minister, made the discovery while exploring their usual spot in the Shakes Creek area in northern British Columbia. The rocks they found featured intricate carvings such as fish and a shield encased within a bear paw, sparking a sense of wonder about the past lives that interacted with these artifacts.
Growing up in the Telegraph Creek region, Rick recalled stories of a singular marked rock and suspected the existence of more. He emphasized the cultural importance of the area for the Tahltan and Tlingit nations, recounting tales from his great-grandmother about the land, conflicts, and the treaty that united the nations at Shakes Creek. The location served as a vital site for salmon fishing, trade, and communal gatherings for both indigenous groups each summer.
Discovering these archaeological treasures carries significant value beyond mere artifacts, as Jeanie highlighted the importance of initiating conversations about shared culture and history that transcend boundaries. Their social media posts showcasing the carved rocks have garnered widespread attention, drawing interest from academic institutions and even a clan leader in Alaska.
Richard Jackson, chief of the Tahltan Band Council, acknowledged petroglyphs near Telegraph Creek but noted the novelty of finding similar markings in the Shakes Creek vicinity. While the petroglyphs are not attributed to the Tahltan, they hold immense significance for the Tlingit people as symbols of a peace treaty and fishing territories. Jackson urged people to treat these stones with respect and refrain from disturbing them, despite the newfound spotlight.
CBC News sought insights from the Taku River Tlingit First Nation in Atlin, British Columbia, regarding the historical importance of the petroglyphs. In response, a representative from the nation’s communications department outlined their cultural protocols, emphasizing the need to consult with elders and knowledge keepers before providing further details.
