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Nazko, Yesterday and Today

Researched and written by Doreen Patrick

Nazko was established in 1912 by a reserve Commissioner of Lands, Indian agent Bell. Nazko is not the proper Carrier name for the community of Nazko, the proper Carrier name is Ndazkoh – Ndaz meaning from the south, koh – meaning River flowing from the south. The Carrier place names in our area have been changed by the non-native people because they could not pronounce the Carrier names. Nazko was established when bands in British Columbia were created in approximately 1876.

Nazko is located 120 km west of Quesnel; the main reserve has a population of approx. 150 people on reserve and 150 people off the reserve.

There are places of interest that you may want to visit. There is an historical church built 1892, Indian Head on the Honolulu Road, Crater Lake, Nazko Falls and a story behind every lake, rivers and place.

There are also many ranchers who live in the Ndazkoh valley. The reserves of Nazko are spread out, with Nazko being the main reserve. They also have Baezeako, Trout Lake, Black water, and the three cut-off land claims Nazko just got back. There are about 20 houses, from log houses, trailers, and lumber houses, one health clinic, a community hall and other buildings which are not used.

Located there is an old church building that was built in 1892 by the local people. The Nazko band office is located in the City of Quesnel. They just bought a new building and it is the old city hall. The Nazko band employs approx. 10 to 15 people. The band also runs its own logging company and it employs about 10 people from the community.

The Nazko band is in the Treaty and working towards self government. In the valley you will see a huge new Community school built in 1999/2000 with grades from kindergarten to grade 8, an adult education class. This building is used for many other activities.