Annie Zixtkwu York was a distinguished elder of the Nlaka'pamux people of the Spuzzum First Nation of Spuzzum, in Fraser Canyon located in the lower region of British Columbia, Canada.
23 Facts About Annie York
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2.
Annie York dedicated herself to the Christian religion and the beliefs of the Nlaka'pamux people, Nle'kepmx.
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Annie York was known to be a storyteller, always recording and sharing stories.
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Annie York was the subject of the movie, Bowl of Bone: Tale of The Syuwe.
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Annie York was born on September 21,1904, in Spuzzum territory in British Columbia.
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Annie York died August 19,1991, due to tuberculosis in Spuzzum.
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Annie York was the third of seven children born to William Benjamin and Lucy Palmer Annie York.
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Annie York's mother was of English and Nlaka'pamux descent while her father was a Nlaka'pamux man whose family all originated from Spuzzum territory.
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Therefore, Annie York's family moved to Fraser Canyon in British Columbia.
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Annie York grew up living with her mother's Nlaka'pamux family as well as with Amelia Annie York, her grandmother from her father's side.
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Annie York came to be bilingual speaking both English and Nlaka'pamux language.
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Annie York decided to return to Spuzzum territory and live with her aunt Rhoda Urquhart and her cousin Arthur Urquhart.
13.
Annie York dedicated herself to the Christian religion and the Nlaka'pamux beliefs.
14.
Annie York was never married nor did she have any children.
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Annie York spent the last of her years in Spuzzum with her cousin Arthur Urquhart, where they both took care of each other.
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Annie York's time was largely spent with her family, listening to family members' stories.
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Annie York explained that Spuzzum received its name due to how flat the area is and the word spuzzum means flat.
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Annie York was educated on Spuzzum chiefs and the impact that each chief had on their people.
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Annie York explained that Chief Paul was known for educating his people about manners and religion through prayers, and Chief Peleck was known for teaching the people about religion by having hymns and prayers be translated to the Nlaka'pamux language.
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Annie York was known to be a storyteller who would share the tales about the lakes in British Columbia.
21.
About Lake Nicola, Annie York recounted the tale of a young girl who saw an eel in the lake and it mysteriously paralyzed her.
22.
Annie York assisted and showcased her personal history in the film Bowl of Bone: Tale of the Syuwe.
23.
Bowl of Bone: Tale of the Syuwe directed by Jan-Marie Martell and produced by Annie York takes place in the late 1900s.