"Historically, the Shuswap people lived a good life. They lived in harmony with the land, using nature in a way which would not result in damage to the environment. Respect for the land ws shown through conservation. Birch bark was only taken in the spring, when the outer bark could be removed without killing the tree. when animals were taken for food and clothing, nothing was wasted. During the year, the Shuswap followed a seasonal cycle. In the spring, fish were caught and berries were picked. Late summer saw all the communities fishing along the Fraser and Thompson Rivers. While the youth speared or netted the salmon, the older men went to the mountians to hunt moose and deer. The balanced lifestyle depended on traditional Indian skills and knowledge handed down through the ages by word of mouth. This all changed with the appearance of the fur traders, missionaries, gold miners and settlers." taken from the provided introduction, p. 7.
