Husband and wife Rick and Jeanie McLean, both members of the Tahltan Nation, had an unexpected discovery during a beach excursion in northern B.C. The couple stumbled upon intricately carved stones featuring fish and what seems to be a shield inside a bear paw, shedding light on the historical ties, treaties, and diplomacy between neighboring nations.
Rick, a former chief of the Tahltan Nation, and Jeanie, a former Yukon cabinet minister, were exploring their usual spot in the Shakes Creek area when they unearthed these remarkable artifacts. The significance of the find left Jeanie reflecting on the mystery of the last individuals who laid eyes on these stones and the passage of time.
Growing up in the Telegraph Creek region, Rick shared that the community had knowledge of one marked rock and suspected the existence of another. He emphasized the cultural importance of the area for the Tahltan and Tlingit nations, recounting tales from his great-grandmother about the land, conflicts, and the treaty that was struck at Shakes Creek.
Jeanie highlighted the broader significance of discovering such treasures, sparking conversations about shared culture and history that transcend boundaries. The couple’s social media posts showcasing the findings have garnered significant attention, even from academic institutions and a clan leader in Alaska.
Richard Jackson, chief of the Tahltan Band Council, acknowledged the presence of petroglyphs near Telegraph Creek but was surprised by the discovery in the Shakes Creek area. Jackson stressed the stones’ significance to the Tlingit people, serving as markers of the peace treaty and fishing rights between the nations.
Despite the newfound attention, Jackson urged for the stones’ cultural significance to be respected and not disturbed. CBC News reached out to the Taku River Tlingit First Nation in Atlin, B.C., for their perspective on the historical importance of the petroglyphs, with the nation’s communication department noting the need to consult with elders and knowledge keepers before further commentary.