The recent history of diitiida (di:ti:dah)/the Jordan River is a common story of industrialism and colonisation.
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![Jordan River, BC 1969]()
Jordan River, BC circa 1969
Source: Sooke Region Museum
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![Hydro, Jordan River, BC]()
Power Generation
Dams built in 1911 and 1971 control the river's water flow to generate hydro electricity.
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![Mining, Jordan River, BC]()
Exploration and Mining
Copper and gold mineralization was discovered in the Jordan River, BC canyon in 1915 and mined until 1975.
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![Timber, Jordan River, BC]()
Timber Harvest
The introduction of rail in the 1930s spurred the industrialization of logging in the watershed.
In 1858, the gold rush prompted the establishment of the Colony of British Columbia and the expansion of permanent settlement. Within decades, vast tracts of mature timber attracted industrial logging. At the turn of the century major industrial projects tapped the river’s tremendous hydro generating capacities. Soon after large-scale industrial mining was a boon to regional economies.
The diitiida/the Jordan River represents a microcosm for larger regional and global challenges. Deadly floods, fires, and heat waves have stressed and thrown life systems out of balance in the Pacific Northwest. As the 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission report states:
“Reconciliation is not an Aboriginal problem; it is a Canadian one. Virtually all aspects of Canadian society may need to be reconsidered.”
Given that in BC large-scale and systematic ecosystem erosion is so closely linked to colonial settlement, reconciling our current ecological issues is an urgent problem all British Columbians face.
According to available historical records, diitiida/the Jordan River was a shared harvesting and seasonal camp for numerous Nations. We recognize that these processes that led to the decline in life found in this watershed disrupted many of the economic and cultural practices that existed for these groups prior to colonization. Today the Pacheedaht and Ditidaht First Nation exercise this connection to the land and river by bringing a treaty that encompasses the diitiida/Jordan River Watershed to its final stages. We hope our awareness efforts aimed at repairing this once abundant ecosystem will harmonize with these Nations’ reconnection to this special place.
Historic Air Photos of Jordan River, BC
