Lhatŝ’aŝʔin Memorial Day: Honouring the Chiefs and Their Legacy

Each year on October 26, Lhatŝ’aŝʔin Memorial Day is observed as a day of remembrance and reflection for the Tŝilhqot’in Nation. It honours the six Tŝilhqot’in War Chiefs who defended their people, lands, and way of life during the Chilcotin War of 1864–1865.

The day recognizes Lhatŝ’aŝʔin, Biyil, Tellot, Tahpitt, Chayses, and ʔAhan, and the courage they showed in standing for their Nation. Their legacy remains an important part of Tŝilhqot’in history and continues to guide conversations about land, rights, responsibility, and future generations.

For Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation Ltd. (CCR), this day is an important reminder of the resilience and leadership that continue to shape the Tŝilhqot’in people. CCR’s work is rooted in the land and in the responsibility to care for it in ways that support communities today and into the future.

“Lhatŝ’aŝʔin Memorial Day is a time to remember the Chiefs and the sacrifices they made for the Tŝilhqot’in people,” said Percy Guichon, CEO of CCR and elected Councillor of Tŝideldel First Nation. “Their leadership reminds us of our responsibility to the land, to our communities, and to the generations that will come after us.”

In 2018, the Government of Canada formally exonerated the six Tŝilhqot’in Chiefs, recognizing that they were defending their homeland and acknowledging the injustice they suffered. That recognition was an important moment in honouring the truth of their history and reaffirming their role as leaders who stood for their people.

Today, the legacy of the Chiefs continues to be carried forward through stewardship and the ongoing work to protect and care for Tŝilhqot’in lands. For CCR, that commitment is reflected in Indigenous-led forest rehabilitation, wildfire risk reduction, community employment, and long-term stewardship across the Cariboo Chilcotin.

Lhatŝ’aŝʔin Memorial Day is not just a day to reflect; it is also a time to honour how the courage of the Chiefs continues to guide our work today.

Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation Ltd. honours the six Tŝilhqot’in War Chiefs and recognizes the Tŝilhqot’in Nation’s continued resilience and leadership.