An initiative to encourage tourism along the Fraser Canyon that has been several years in the making took a major step recently, with the unveiling of gateway signage on Highway 1 near Lytton and Yale.
The Fraser Canyon Tourism Master Plan started in 2019, when a group of provincial, local, and Indigenous government representatives and tourism stakeholders met to discuss how to revitalize the Fraser Canyon. The group applied for funding and developed the master plan, which was completed in March 2021.
The first priority identified in the plan was a signage project, which would involve the planning, development, and installation of highway signs with community names in local Indigenous languages and English, as well as gateway and interpretive signs.
However, the Lytton Creek fire of June 2021 destroyed 90 per cent of downtown Lytton and closed Highway 1 through the Fraser Canyon for several weeks. In November 2021 the route was closed for more than two months following severe flooding that caused major damage to the highway.
In 2023, the Kookipi Creek wildfire tore through homes and businesses in the Nahatlatch Valley near Boston Bar. All of these disasters played a part in discouraging tourists and travellers along the Fraser Canyon route, which has struggled with decreased highway traffic since the opening of the Coquihalla Highway in 1986 and has seen the population of the corridor dwindle as businesses closed.
“I remember the Canyon of a few decades ago,” says Bernie Fandrich, chair of the project’s steering committee and president of the Lytton and District Chamber of Commerce. “It was flourishing, with many successful businesses along the highway, and busy town centres. This project, with the Master Plan that takes us right to 2030, is a great step forward for the Canyon, bringing us into a healthy future.”
Fraser-Nicola MLA Jackie Tegart began lobbying for revitalization of the Fraser Canyon highway in early 2019. At the unveiling of the Lytton Gateway signage on Aug. 30, she spoke of the “incredible collaboration” that made the event possible, and acknowledged and thanked the many people who have been working on the project.
“The Fraser Canyon Gateway signs at Lytton and Yale are more than just physical markers,” she said. “They represent a new chapter in the recovery and revitalization of this beautiful region.”
The signs have community names in Nlaka’pamuxcin, Halq’eméylem, and English, and offer an inclusive view into the rich culture and history of the Fraser Canyon, which has been home to thriving communities for the past 10,000 years.
“These signs are a testament to our shared history and cultural heritage,” said Tegart. “They highlight Indigenous place names and land acknowledgments that are so vital to understanding and appreciating the history of our region.
“The signs will not only enhance visitors’ experiences, but will also boost local tourism and economies, giving us all something new to take pride in. This is a true community accomplishment, and a big step forward after the challenges of recent years.”
Tegart noted that the signage would help rebuild an inclusive and sustainable economy for the families and communities in the region.
“I want to reiterate how proud I am to represent a community that values its history, its people, and its future. This sign project is a shining example of what we can achieve when we come together with a common goal."
