2021–2022
St’uxwtéws (Bonaparte First Nation), is a member band of the Shuswap Nation Tribal Councilof the Secwépemc (Shuswap) people. They live in the Cache Creek, BC area and are the stewards of the Mcabee Fossil Beds, a renowned archaeological site that sits within their traditional territory. They have recently developed some new interpretive trails at the site with a vision to enhance the cultural education and awareness among both locals and tourists. I was contacted to develop interpretive signage and wayfinding along these new trails.
The McAbee Fossil Beds are renowned for their exceptional fossil deposits dating back to the Eocene Epoch, around 50 million years ago. The Eocene Epoch occurred after the extinction of the dinosaurs and marks the rise of mammals and the emergence of modern bird species. This internationally recognized site boasts an extensive array of well-preserved plant and animal fossils, offering valuable insights into ancient ecosystems and evolutionary history. The fossils found at McAbee include a diverse range of species, from prehistoric salmon, insects, and birds, to tropical plants. These specimens provide scientists with a unique glimpse into the environmental conditions of ancient British Columbia. This land also serves as a living record of indigenous history and is a source of traditional knowledge and cultural heritage for the Bonaparte First Nation. As such, efforts to interpret and protect the McAbee Fossil Beds are guided not only by scientific inquiry but also by a commitment to honouring Indigenous perspectives and preserving the legacy of the land for future generations.
The McAbee fossil beds received official Heritage BC designation on in 2012. The Royal BC Museum holds a collection of over 18,000 fossils from McAbee. These specimens were donated by the families of respected amateur collectors John Leahy and David Langevin.
The McAbee Fossil Beds lie within a semi-arid desert ecosystem. This area experiences hot, dry summers and cold winters, with limited precipitation. The landscape features sagebrush, and hoodoos, and is even home to the only rattlesnake species in Canada. Despite the arid conditions, the ecosystem supports diverse life, illustrating a stark contrast to the lush Eocene forests once present.
This was a large project with over 40 large interpretive panels, kiosks, maps, as well as regulatory and wayfinding signage. The project started in November, 2021 and all signs were delivered in October, 2022.
We handled the whole project from planning and collaboration with the Bonaparte First Nation, to reasearch and content development, illustration, photography and design, fabrication and delivery of the signs and mounting systems and hardware.
The project was divided into three phases:
It’s very important that the first step in any interpretive project is a site visit. The place itself can inspire ideas for innovative ways to best create engaging signage. I visited the McAbee Fossil Beds to do some initial research and interpretive planning on location. This included startup meetings with members of the Bonaparte First Nation.
Using the research and Interpretive Plan created in phase 1, we continued research, writing, editing, illustration, map design and photography for the project. We developed an interpretive theme document and guidelines for the project. As well as a sign plan detailing content, imagery, and location for each sign.
Written content and visual elements were developed with collaboration, feedback, and revisions from the Bonaparte First Nation.
Once final designs from Phase 2 were approved we prepared the files for fabrication. We believe in using sustainable materials. For this project we used dye sublimated, powder coated aluminum panels. All panels and parts were fabricated and delivered to the site with installation instructions.
All signs and interpretive programs should have a theme or ‘big idea’. The theme is the main message that you want the visitor to come away with. Following a theme also makes it easier to narrow down the most important information to include on the signs and how to effectively tell the story of the site. The theme connects with the visitor and provokes them to think. For this project the theme is:
Life, death and the legacy of survival in a changing land.
This theme speaks to the numerous ways that life and death have touched the people, plants and animals of this land, both in the distant (geological) past and more recent past (Secwépemc history). It allows for the interpretation of what those lands are/were as well as the different ways that survival has occurred, such as survival in the fossil record, or the adaptation to environment or circumstances that have allowed people, plants or animals to survive and even thrive in the more modern desert landscape. It also allows for links to the future and the adaptations needed to survive climate change impacts, with particular attention to Indigenous ways of knowing and being.
We also developed a separate sub topic for each section of the trail.
Deep Time Loop (main loop) This trail explores the Eocene Lake and the fossil beds as well as the geological formations and allows visitors to immerse themselves in the far geological past.
Grasslands Valley Trail Collectively these panels tell the story about adaptation. This trail explores the ecosystem and the adaptation of plants and animals to the conditions as well as opening up the cultural story of the cattle/ horses and what the last few centuries have meant for the Stu̓ xtéws.
Hoodoo View Trail This trail explores the evolution of the valley and area through the last ten thousand years, from post-glaciation to settlement and advancement of the Stu̓ xtéws and Secwépemc culture. The viewpoint gives the best view to the glacial features of the valley floor and also overlooks Juniper Beach Provincial Park and the hoodoos.
Connections Trail As a less expansive space compared with the wide valley, this trail gets a bit more up-close-and-persona.. Continuing from the first peoples theme and incorporating the pithouse area, visitors can learn about how the Stu̓ xtéws made use of resources for shelter, food and medicine. In addition, the proximity to charred trees and a landscape rejuvenating from wildfire is an ideal spot to explore nature’s resilience, which ties in to the resilience of the Stu̓ xtéws and their ability to work with what they had to survive and thrive.
First, thank you to everyone I met and collaborated with at the Bonaparte First Nation.
I assemble a team of professionals to work with based on the needs of each specific project. This may include additional Interpretive planners, writers, researchers, photographers, illustrators, and artists. Here are some of the team members and contributors that helped me with the McAbee Fossil Beds project.
