Husband and wife Rick and Jeanie McLean, both belonging to the Tahltan Nation, stumbled upon significant historical artifacts during a casual beach outing in the Shakes Creek area of northern British Columbia. The couple, with Rick being a former chief of the nation and Jeanie a former Yukon cabinet minister, uncovered marked stones depicting fish and a peculiar carving resembling a shield inside a bear paw.
The discovery, described by Jeanie as a rare and thought-provoking experience, sparked reflections on the past and the individuals who might have interacted with these rocks centuries ago. Rick, having grown up in the Telegraph Creek region, had heard tales of a single marked rock and had suspicions about additional artifacts in the vicinity.
The Shakes Creek area holds immense cultural importance for both the Tahltan and Tlingit nations. Rick reminisced about stories passed down by his great-grandmother concerning the land’s significance in terms of wars, treaties, and the annual gatherings for fishing and trade between the two nations. The couple’s find has initiated a dialogue on the broader themes of culture and history transcending geographical boundaries.
The images shared by Jeanie and Rick on social media have garnered widespread attention, including interest from academic institutions and a clan leader in Alaska. Richard Jackson, chief of the Tahltan Band Council, acknowledged the existence of petroglyphs near Telegraph Creek but noted the uniqueness of the markings in the Shakes Creek area, emphasizing their importance in the peace treaty between the Tahltan and Tlingit nations.
Despite the newfound fame of these artifacts, Jackson urged for the preservation and respect of their cultural significance. The Taku River Tlingit First Nation in Atlin, British Columbia, declined to provide immediate comments, citing the need to consult with elders and knowledge keepers as per their cultural protocols.
