Annie York

Annie Zixtkwu York (September 21, 1904 – August 19, 1991) was a distinguished elder of the Nlaka'pamux people (also known as Thompson) of the Spuzzum First Nation of Spuzzum, in Fraser Canyon located in the lower region of British Columbia, Canada. York was raised by her Nlaka'pamux family where she came to be bilingual speaking English and Nlaka'pamuctsin. She dedicated herself to the Christian religion and the beliefs of the Nlaka'pamux people, Nle'kepmx. York's family members educated her about the history of Spuzzum as well as the origin of its name, Spuzzum chiefs, and the ethnobotany of the region. York was known to be a storyteller, always recording and sharing stories. She was the subject of the movie, Bowl of Bone: Tale of The Syuwe.

Early life York was born on September 21, 1904, in Spuzzum territory in British Columbia. Lastly, in the 1920s, she studied nursing in Merritt, British Columbia, but did not graduate. About Lake Nicola, York recounted the tale of a young girl who saw an eel in the lake and it mysteriously paralyzed her.

Career Annie York was a co-author of two published novels, Spuzzum: Fraser Canyon Histories 1808-1939 and They Write Their Dreams on the Rock Forever: Rock Writings of the Stein River Valley of British Columbia. York assisted and showcased her personal history in the film Bowl of Bone: Tale of the Syuwe.

Spuzzum: Fraser Canyon Histories 1808-1939 The authors of Spuzzum: Fraser Canyon Histories 1808-1939 were Annie York and Andrea Laforet. The novel takes place in Fraser Canyon and occurs during colonization The novel emphasizes and preserves the history of the Nlaka'pamux people undergoing colonization. The history is captured through York's experience along with her knowledge of her family's experiences.

They Write Their Dreams on the Rock Forever: Rock Writings of the Stein River Valley of British Columbia The authors of They Write Their Dreams on the Rock Forever: Rock Writings of the Stein River Valley of British Columbia are Annie York, Richard Daly, and Chris Arnett. The novel takes place in Stein River Valley in British Columbia. In the novel, Annie York showcases the writings on the rocks and explains the meaning of the writings, giving the reader insights into how people lived in Stein River Valley. This novel was published with the intent of spreading awareness on the importance of the writings on the rocks found in Stein River Valley.

Film Bowl of Bone: Tale of the Syuwe directed by Jan-Marie Martell and produced by Annie York takes place in the late 1900s. The film brings the audience along Martell's journey in meeting York and in learning about the Syuwe under York's unique teaching style.

In media

Featured in journals Annie York's knowledge about Spuzzum's history, lifestyle, and botany has led to her inclusion in several published works.

The Original "Free Trade": Exchange of Botanical Products and Associated Plant Knowledge in Northwestern North America by Nancy J. Turner and Dawn C. Loewen. Thompson Ethnobotany: Knowledge and Usage of Plants by the Thompson Indians of British Columbia written by Nancy Turner, Laurence Thompson, M. Terry Thompson, and Annie York. "That was Our Candy!": Sweet Foods in Indigenous Peoples' Traditional Diets in Northwestern North America written by Nancy J. Turner.