The Upper Nicola people were known for their ranching. They specialized in hay crops. I remember so well, my dad hiring men from Shulus band to work for him.

The haying crew would have several tents set up alongside the creek. They always began haying at the top mountain fields, then gradually worked down to the reserve.

There would be one big tent with a big cook stove and a long wooden table with wooden benches alongside.

Other canvas tents were set up for the hired crew to use. The men would have their face towels and their Lifebouy soap on a tree limb by the creek ready to use in the cold early morning, with frost covering the grass.

The cook and her flunky would have breakfast ready by 5:30 a.m., and she would ring the big bell to announce the meal.

The crew would have their team of horses, harnessed, then hitched to either a mower to cut hay, or hay sloop to haul the hay to the haystack. Another man would have his team hitched to a hay rake, which gathered the hay into a huge roll, then left for the women to hand pile. Women worked hard along with their husbands.

The haystack was built from the ground up. My brother Clement and another man would be the stackers.

A sloop loaded with hay would be brought to the haystack, where it was unloaded by someone with one work horse, which pulled the load of hay.

Then at the top, the person would yell “trip” which meant to release the load.

After the haying was all done, there would be a huge dinner with music and singing afterwards. My dad had my brother Clement kept record of the crew and the days they worked.

At the finish, they each got a paycheque, which included pay for their team of horses, too.

This was how my dad provided employment for our people during the years of depression.

Everyone who was willing to work had a job, and had money for later.

I grew up during the depression, but I never felt it, as my dad provided very well for our entire family.

Actually, all of the Upper Nicola band members did well during years of depression, thanks to their hayfields and cattle.

I can still remember my mom’s huge vegetable garden. She had rhubarb, and planted an apple tree next to our house.

The vegetables would be picked and stored in our cellar down from the house.

During the winter months, when the snow was very deep, my mom would walk down to the root cellar to get fresh potatoes and other vegetables for our meals. The root cellar  also kept food like dried salmon and beef, so when we needed them, we went and got them. Mom kept her canned fruit in the root cellar too.

I remember the odor of the root cellar, it had a nice smell.

Well, friends, and family, hope you enjoyed the walk down memory lane.

 

Jeanette McMaster is an Elder, and member of Upper Nicola Band.

Matthew chapter 11; verse 28 “ Come unto me , all you that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”