Our Story

The Cheslatta Carrier Nation

Having lived for centuries in the Cheslatta Lake area, the Cheslatta were forced to leave their homelands and villages in 1952, when a last minute engineering decision was made to flood Cheslatta Lake as part of Alcan's Kemano I hydro-electric project. With 3 weeks notice, the Cheslatta became instant refugees and suffered horrible social and cultural consequences as a result of the forced eviction. Today approximately 120 Cheslatta members live on scattered parcels of land in the Grassy Plains - Uncha Lake area, located 25 miles south of Burns Lake in north central British Columbia. They are the main architects of the local economy and have become well known for their innovative partnerships in a variety of enterprises including Cheslatta Forest Products Ltd, Cheslatta Community Forest, Southside Health and Wellness Centre, the 3-Nation Water System and now, the Chief Louie Paddle Company.

The Beginning

A Dream and a Vision

While working under a research and development grant studying systems and processes to best utilize the large volumes of timber that lies submerged beneath the water of the Nechako Reservoir, the Cheslatta Carrier Nation discovered a diverse and vibrant market for unique, hand-crafted paddles using salvaged raw materials. With a dream and a vision to keep their traditions and heritage strong well into generations to come, the Cheslatta people began their journey to create and market some of the finest premium paddles in the world. The product that has emerged is a canoe paddle based on the design used by Chief Louie, legendary Cheslatta Hereditary Chief.

The Namesake

The Legacy of Chief Louie

The patriarch of most all Cheslatta people today, Chief Louie was renowned for his strength, wisdom and prowess. His exploits are still discussed today by the elders of the community. Chief Louie's excursions in his dugout canoes were legendary, traveling from Cheslatta Lake, up Ootsa Lake all the way to Tahtsa Lake in less than 2 days...a distance of nearly 150 miles! The last Hereditary Chief of the Cheslatta people, Chief Louie died in 1951 at age 75. In his last year, he predicted the chaos and tragedy that was to befall his people when the Kemano I project flooded their homelands in 1952 and caused their eviction and destruction of their ancestral villages.

"The paddles are of the land and are a very strong symbol of our history. My great, great-grandfather was renowned for his feats of paddling his dugout canoes, " says Chief Corrina Leween, "He would be impressed with the strength and style of the paddles that bear his name."

More Than Paddles

Spirit Feathers

During the course of research and development, we also perfected several other products utilizing the underwater wood and salvage material including distinct, hand carved "Spirit Feathers". Each "Spirit Feather" is proudly hand carved by members of the Cheslatta Carrier Nation, whose ancestors' graves, including Chief Louie's, were washed into the water during the Kemano I project. After 58 years of silence, the Cheslatta t'en have brought the flooded timber to the surface and are sharing the spirits of their ancestors and their history through this special feather. Each one truly reflects their tragic history. Other products include wooden coasters, name tags, name plates, key fobs, business cards and plaques

Finished paddles showcasing natural wood beauty

A Dream and a Vision

The Legacy of Chief Louie

Spirit Feathers

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