CARIBOO’S OLD TIMERS WERE COLORFUL MEN

By a strange coincidence, W. Urquhart, John Munroe and Steven B. Mattice all came from Cariboo Cameron’s bailiwick, “Glengarry.” Big Steven Mattice was possibly the most perfect specimen of physical manhood among the army of pioneers who blazed the trail into the Cariboo hills.

Mattice was a quiet, unassuming personage who tried hard to avoid trouble with his fellowman. Slow to anger, he would shy away from belligerent bullies. Verbal abuse rolled from his person like water from the proverbial duck’s back; but woe betide the bully who ventured to force a fight by delivering the first blow.

Most mining camps produce a modicum of bullies, but fighting men in the old Barkerville camp were never known to seek a return bout with Big Steve. John McLean, colorful pioneer, who was highly respected and later lived and died in Quesnel, was an American.

In the early days great rivalry existed between the Yanks and the Canucks. John was the topnotch scrapper among the Yanks, and he had cleaned up most of the Canadians but had been unable to come to grips with Steve. Failing to force a fight with verbal abuse, John – in an ugly mood – slapped big Steve with his open hand.

John McLean never knew what happened from that moment until he awoke in the Barkerville hospital three weeks later. John McLean, however, proved himself as good a sport as he was a scrapper by going at once to Steve’s cabin, where he grasped his opponent by the hand and exclaimed: “Thanks Steve; you’ve made a man of me!”.

That was John’s last fight.

Dr. Retasket

Of particularly special note, we would like to extend a tremendous congratulations to our friend and fellow interpreter, Mike Retasket, who, together with his partner and companion, Cheryl Chapman (who had been knocking on Barkerville’s door since 1996 with her own family history in the townsite), have developed and brought the Original Peoples interpretation to Barkerville replete with inconvenient truths, a remarkable sense of grace, deep love, powerful teachings, and sincere friendship. Mike was presented with an Honourary Degree in a Doctor of Letters on June 13th by the University of the Fraser Valley. UFV journalist, Anne Russell, notes in his biography: “A renowned dancer, drummer, political leader, negotiator, cultural interpreter and traditional Secwépemc knowledge keeper, Mike Retasket’s experiences combine for invaluable insight on boards ranging from the First Nations Leadership Council to the Fraser Basin Council, First Nations Forestry Council, Union of BC Indian Chiefs, Tourism Industry Association of BC, and many more.

Wisdom earned through 10 years as Chief of the Bonaparte Indian Band helped him negotiate important government agreements, acting as a signatory on the Transformative Change Accord, Public Safety Accord, and the Leadership Accord. Despite the long hours, Retasket insists he’s happy to do the work — although it hasn’t been without difficulty.

By R. N. Campbell

(extracted from The Cariboo Observer, VOL. XXXIII No. 40, Saturday May 9, 1942, pg.3)

– Submitted by Lana Fox.

Born in B.C., Retasket was raised largely in Washington State by older siblings after his parents passed away when he was five and 13, respectively. The youngest of 11 children, he was identified at an early age as a talented drummer and dancer. This integration into traditional Indigenous customs opened the door to a lifetime of diverse activism, leading to his current job educating tourists about the region’s rich Indigenous history in B.C.’s Barkerville Historic Town and Park.”

Thank you for all that do you, Sintse, and to you and Lucie for shedding light on the whole story of Barkerville, of the Cariboo, and of this vast land we all share. Congratulations on your highly deserved honours, Dr. Retasket!