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Diseases; Small pox, diphtheria, influenza, tuberculosis and measles

The Carrier people went through many hardships in their lifetime. When the Europeans made contact with the Natives an epidemic swept through the Native population. During the 1920s the population hit an all time low because of European-introduced diseases. It is estimated that 105,000 aboriginal people lived in British Columbia before the arrival of the Europeans. By 1929 the population dropped to 22,000. Entire communities were wiped out. It hit the elders and children the most. Thus, the elders died before their time and the wisdom they would share to the younger generation was also lost.

Read a story by Doreen Patrick