According to Indigenous Peoples oral histories and traditions, a vast network of trails, routes, natural corridors and inland waterways are in perpetual use for traditional hunting, fishing, food harvesting, gathering of medicines, trade, to attend Pow-Wows (games, sport), guiding, and for other purposes that are their cultural history. The Indigenous people in this region have primarily journeyed on foot, via horseback, or paddling for millenia since time immemorial.

The Canadian Government claims, B.C. is home to 198 First Nations (Bands), about one third of all First Nations in Canada. Acknowledging B.C.'s Indigenous peoples as having rich and varied cultures, histories and traditions, and that B.C. has the greatest diversity of Indigenous cultures in Canada. They state, that more than 60 per cent of Canada's First Nations languages are exclusive to B.C. In fact, 7 out of 11 unique language families. The Traditional Territories also represent, some of the most bio diverse ecosystems, and varied natural terrain in British Columbia.

The entire cycling (mountain bike) trip encompassed 4 major British Columbia First Nation Traditional Territories, of the Sto:lo Nation, Stl'atl'imc, Tsilhqot'in and Secwepemc, whom are represented by 7 Tribal Councils and Nations: The Sto:lo, In-SHUCK-ch Nation, Lillooet, Ts'ilhqot'in, Carrier-Chilcotin, Cariboo, and Shuswap. These Councils and Nations within the Traditional Territories, are affiliated with 54 surrounding member First Nation bands. 15,300 meters (50,000 feet) in measured accumulated elevation gain, over the distance traveled (925 kilometers). September 10 -25, 2007

Major rivers enroute included: Fraser River, Lillooet River, Bridge River, Taseko River, Chilcotin River.

Major lakes enroute: Harrison Lake, Lillooet Lake, Seton Lake, Taseko Lakes.

Mountain Ranges/Passes enroute: Coastal Range (Cayoosh Pass) - Coast Chilcotin Range ( Iron Pass) - Interior Range/plateau

(Km 0 - 80)

Stol:o Nation territory, gateway to the interior from the Fraser River, valley and delta, to the Interior region, via Harrison river and lake, or through the lower Fraser canyon. The Leq'a:mel First Nation (formerly Lakahahmen Indian Band) is located on the Fraser River near the confluence of the Harrison Lake and River. At an area near the island on Harrison Lake, on both rugged and mountainous shores, the land transitions to the Traditional territories of the Lower Stl'atl'imc (pron. Stat-liem). Their land contains some of the largest mountains, lakes and rivers in Southwestern British Columbia. The Stl'atl'imc communities are linked to their transportation routes and salmon rivers, with towns such as Lillooet in the east, Mt. Currie, the west, Seton Portage (Anderson/Seton lake) in the north, and Port Douglas in the south.

(Km 80 - 160)

The Lower Stl'atl'imc territory includes the Xa'xtsa (pron. HAH-tsa), band, at the head of Harrison Lake, extends through the lower Lillooet river corridor (Samahquam Band) and Skatin (Skookumchuck) Band to Lillooet lake, form the majority of the In-SHUCK-ch Nation.

West beyond the head of Lillooet Lake into to the Pemberton valley/upper Lillooet River, is though Lil'wat Nation (Stl'atl'imc Territory), continuing to the headwaters of the Ryan river, Lillooet river to the heart of the Coast range, and west to the Black Tusk.

The travel corridor southwest toward the coast (Howe Sound), transitions to the territory of the Squamish Nation.

(Km 160 - 240)

The Upper Stl'atl'imc territory - rises North East from Lillooet Lake and Pemberton valley via Joffre creek to Cayoosh pass, through a natural corridor/divide (Cayoosh Range) at Duffey Lake and Melvin Creek, drains to Cayoosh Creek flowing northeast toward Stl'atl'imc territory on the Fraser River.

The Cayoosh Range is also a natural travel corridor for grizzly bear connecting habitats, the South Chilcotin mountains and Stein Valley region. In addition the area is home to eagle, northern spotted owl, mule deer, cougar, wolf, wolverine and a population of mountain goat. The area also supports many plants used for food and medicines by the Stl'atl'imc people.

The mountain ranges to the east of Harrison Lake, Lillooet River and at the headwaters of the Stein River, transitions to the territory of the Nlaka'pamux people (pron. Ing-khla-kap-muh), to and beyond, the Fraser River.

Sekw'el'was (Cayoose Creek Reserve) and T'it'q'et (Lillooet Indian Band) are located near the outflow of Seton Lake and Cayoosh Creeks to join the Fraser River at Lillooet.

(Km 240 - 360)

The Nxw�sten (Bridge River Band) is located at the confluence of the Bridge River and Fraser River and west up the Bridge River on both sides of the valley. In the past, several salmon runs were decimated, and critical valley bottom wildlife habitat was drowned out, due to hydroelectric dams on the Bridge River. Stl'atl'imc Territory extends to the headwaters of the Bridge River, the Yalakom River, and the South Chilcotin mountain headwaters of Tyaughton, Mud, and Relay Creeks.

(Km 360 - 580)

To the west beyond Upper Relay Creek and Dash Hill, transitions to the territories of the Ts'ilhqot'in Tribal Council (pron. Chil-co-teen), of which there are 5 member bands.

There are numerous corridors and routes in, and through the South Chilcotin Range that have been used by the Ts'ilhqot'in people.

From the north and west Chilko Lake area via the Taseko River, Beece Creek, Taseko Lakes, Chita Creek, Powell Creek, Battlement Creek, Upper Taseko River, Warner Pass, Gun Creek, Slim Creek, upper and lower Bridge River.

From the north (Chilcotin River area) via Big Creek, Hungry Valley Creek, Groundhog Creek, Tyaughton Creek and Relay Creek. These routes continue in existence as horse, and backpack trails to present day.

A large portion within both Stl'atl'imc territory and Ts'ilhqot'in territory, in the Chilcotin Range, holds provincial park status, where motorized vehicle/motorcycle use is prohibited.

An area within the Big Creek/Graveyard Creek valley is the location of a culturally significant Indigenous Peoples burial site.

Over the west divide of the South Chilcotin Ranges (Iron Pass) is within the vast territory of the Xeni Gwet'in First Nation, extending west and south toward Taseko Lakes ,Chilko Lake and the Nemiah Valley. The diverse landscapes of the Ts'ilhqot'in Territory are habitat for black bear, grizzly bear, mule deer, moose, mountain goat, cougar, beaver, fisher, wolverine, bald eagle and a population of California big horn sheep.

Culturally important areas of the Xeni Gwet'in are: Tsilhqox Biny (Chilko Lake), Ts'il-os Dzelh (Pron. sigh-loss), Nuntsi (east of Brittany Lake) Chunazch'ez (wild potato range), Tatlayoko Lake, and Eniyud (The Niut Range). Their traditions in these areas include, hunting, trapping and cattle grazing.

Traditional routes in the vicinity of Chilko lake are: The Tchaikazan River valley, Spectrum Pass, Yohetta/Rainbow creek, Long valley and Stikelan Pass to the west.

Chilko Lake at 1172m elevation, is 80 km in length, and is the largest natural high elevation freshwater lake in Canada.

To the north, the Taseko and Chilko Rivers flow into the Chilcotin River, the Ts'ilhqot'in community of the Stone First Nation is located above the Chilcotin River Valley.

(Km 580 - 830)

To the east, on the Chilcotin plateau area (north of the Chilcotin River), near Riske Creek, is the location of the Toosey First Nation, a member of the Carrier-Chilcotin Tribal Council (5 member bands).

The area to the east of the Fraser River transitions to the large territory of the Secwepemc, (Cariboo region).

The Cariboo Tribal Council member Bands are, Williams Lake, Alkali Lake, Canim Lake (east of 100 Mile House), and Soda Creek.

In the southern Cariboo, (near the Fraser River) is the area of the Canoe Creek and High Bar bands (members of the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council).

(Km 830 - 925)

On the east side of the Fraser River, the region transitions to territory of the Stl'atl'imc. The Ts'kw'aylacw (Pavillion Band) is located above the Fraser River on a travel corridor connecting the Fraser River with the Secwepemc Territories to the north and east.

Nearing the town of Lillooet, east side of the Fraser River, is the location of the Xa'xlip (pron. Hah-lip) Fountain First Nation (Stl'atl'imc).

South of Lillooet, along the Fraser River, the region transitions to the territory of the Nlaka'pamux (pron. Ing-khla-kap-muh). Their strategic location is centered around the 'convergence of two historically great salmon bearing rivers', the Fraser and Thompson Rivers. In addition to the pristine Stein River that flows into the Fraser, just north of the community of Lytton.

- Respect Indigenous Peoples Traditional lands and title -

Solo cycling bike-packing tour, August 03 to August 30, 1994

Trip data and stats:

Total trip days: 28 days

Total cycling (riding) 3,218 kilometers

Total cycling days (over 50 km) 24 days

Average km's cycled per day: ~146 km ave. per day
(based on 24 cycling days of 50 km's or more)

Total number of days ridden 100 miles (160 km's) or more: 12 days

Total days ridden over 200 km in a day: 3 days

Consecutive riding days: 14 days (~2200 km's)

Total number of mountain pass crossings (BC and Alberta): 12 summits

Total days of sunshine (8 hours or more): 23 days

Total days with rain (significant amounts): 8 days

Total rest days (no riding) 15 km walking in town of Osoyoos, BC 1 day