The People of Pukaist
The People of Pukaist are Nlaka'pamux people from along the Thompson River in what is now called Ashcroft and Spences Bridge, British Columbia.
This site brings together public language, place names, history, and stories. It is part of a broader community effort to support cultural continuity, language, and careful public sharing.
Community site
Built by the People of Pukaist Society in Ashcroft, BC, for language, place, history, and community continuity.
Our Society
The People of Pukaist Society was incorporated on September 20, 2022, in Ashcroft, British Columbia.
Its purpose is to support the redevelopment of Pukaist cultural practices, traditions, and language, and to support community members from youth to elders.
Historical records include the names Pokaist and Pokhaist, which remain part of the community's known place context.
Territory and land use
Pukaist reserves sit along the Thompson River between Ashcroft and Spences Bridge. Historical materials also describe seasonal use of highland meadow lands for hay, grazing, and related work.
This is part of why place, history, and language belong together on this site rather than living as separate topics.
What you will find here
- Nłeʔkepmxcín language and vocabulary from verified sources
- Named places and public mapping context
- History drawn from testimony, reports, and records
- Stories shared through public-safe cultural and historical materials
How we use sources
Content on this site draws from published academic work, government records, archived testimony, and community knowledge.
Where available, public pages point back to the source material used for that section. The site is public-facing, but it is not meant to overstate what has or has not yet been fully prepared for public use.
A note on what is public
Some materials are included here because they are ready for public access. Some are not included because they require further community review or are not intended for public sharing.