A
migrating Snuneymuxw pointed out the existence of coal on
the island, which produced the industry that would provide
work for Nanaimoites for years to come. During the mining
for coal, the island's sandstone was found to be exceptional
and was sought after for years by different cities, and even
different countries. Many different companies from all over
fought for leases to cut the Newcastle Island stone. Also
wanting the durable stone was an industry entirely different
from architecture.
It was pulp-stones that were
needed up and down the coast to grind up tree fibres into
pulp for papermaking and Newcastle sandstone proved to be
one of the best. Even with all those different uses of the
land, the Canadian Pacific Railway saw the beauty within and
bought the island to create their own little island resort.
It was then sold, after a decrease in popularity, to the City
of Nanaimo who got so far into debt that they sold it to the
BC Government, who turned it into a marine park.
The people of Saysetsen would
live on Newcastle from January to April in order to catch
the spawning herring before moving on to Gabriola Island where
they would stay until early August. Then they would traverse
the Straight of Georgia to the mouth of the Fraser River.
They would stay there until the end of August to catch the
sockeye and humpback salmon before continuing back to Vancouver
Island for the chum salmon run.
The burial rites of the Snuneymuxw
involved the deceased being placed in trees, contrary to popular
belief that there were burial chests in the Newcastle caves
from this time period. If there were burials in the caves,
they are believed to be from the members of other tribes employed
in Nanaimo or on Newcastle Island to mine coal. |
