Chief Louie Paddle Company is more than a business. We are a story of resilience, heritage, and the enduring connection between our people and our land.
Our Heritage
Rooted in tradition, built for tomorrow
Chief Louie Paddle Company is more than a business. We are a story of resilience, heritage, and the enduring connection between our people and our land.
Indigenous Owned
Chief Louie Paddle Company is proudly owned and operated by the Cheslatta Carrier Nation, located in the lakes district of north-central British Columbia. The Cheslatta people have called this territory home since time immemorial, living in harmony with the forests, lakes, and rivers that define our traditional lands.
Our Nation operates several businesses that provide employment for our members and contribute to our community's economic self-sufficiency. Chief Louie Paddle Company is one of these enterprises, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern techniques.
Our company is named in honor of Chief Louie B. Louie (1887-1970), a revered leader of the Cheslatta Carrier Nation who guided our people through one of the most challenging periods in our history.
Chief Louie was known for his wisdom, his dedication to his people, and his deep understanding of traditional ways. He served as chief during the devastating 1952 forced relocation of our people, advocating tirelessly for justice and the rights of the Cheslatta.
By naming our company after Chief Louie, we honor his legacy of leadership, resilience, and commitment to preserving our culture for future generations. Every paddle we craft carries forward his spirit.
In 1952, the Cheslatta people were forcibly relocated from their ancestral homes with just days' notice to make way for the Kenney Dam and the creation of the Nechako Reservoir. The rising waters flooded our villages, our burial grounds, and the forests that had sustained us for generations.
For decades, the timber that was submerged in what became Ootsa Lake has been preserved by the cold waters. Today, we harvest some of this reclaimed wood, transforming what was taken from us into beautiful, meaningful objects.
When you hold a paddle made from this reclaimed timber, you hold a piece of our history, a testament to our people's resilience and our ongoing connection to our traditional territory.
The Cheslatta Carrier Nation thrives on traditional territory in north-central BC
Forced relocation for the Kenney Dam project; traditional lands flooded
Settlement agreement with Alcan acknowledges historical injustice
Chief Louie Paddle Company transforms reclaimed wood into lasting art
Our Commitment
Sustainability isn't just a buzzword for us. It's how our people have lived for thousands of years. We are committed to responsible harvesting and using materials that honor our land rather than deplete it.
We source wood from our traditional territory, including reclaimed timber from Ootsa Lake and sustainably harvested local species. Every tree we use is selected with care, ensuring that our forests remain healthy for generations to come.
The Carrier people have been making paddles for countless generations. Our ancestors crafted canoes and paddles that carried them across the vast network of lakes and rivers in our territory for fishing, trading, and traveling between seasonal camps.
Today, we blend these traditional techniques with modern tools like precision laser engraving. The result is a product that honors our heritage while meeting contemporary needs for quality and customization.
Each paddle begins as a rough piece of wood and is shaped by hand, following techniques passed down through generations. We sand, finish, and engrave each piece with the same care our ancestors applied to their own paddles.
Our workshop is located in Cheslatta, on our traditional territory. Here, our team crafts each paddle and custom product by hand, combining time-tested woodworking skills with precision laser engraving technology.
When you order from Chief Louie Paddle Company, you're not just getting a product. You're supporting Indigenous entrepreneurship, sustainable practices, and the preservation of traditional craftsmanship.
Every paddle we craft continues our legacy. Let us create something meaningful for you.
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