Xá:ytem

Xá: YTEM and the Xa: YTEM Longhouse Interpretive Centre is an archaeological site and a museum in the Canadian province of British Columbia. It is located in Mission and is on the history and culture of the Indians at the lower Fraser River, especially the Sto: Lo aligned belonging culturally to the coastal Salish.

The Interpretive center goes back to archaeological excavations that were begun in 1990 east of Mission. Its director was Gordon Mohs, who on behalf of the Sto: lo acted. The approximately 16,000 finds were so significant that the site was already explained two years later, on 4 June 1992, by the Canadian government to the National Historic Site of Canada. 1993 acquired the province's 18 acre field of Harry Utzig, the owner. Since then, in the traditional territory of the Sto: lo been registered over 350 archaeological sites and another 200 sacred places.

In addition, local myths, such as the Sto: lo Myth of three respected their leaders, of Xexá: ls - the Transformer ( Transformer) - as punishment for that they did not share their originating from the Great Spirit, knowledge of the written language were turned to stone. Xá: YTEM continue accordingly contains the shxweli ( life force or spirit ) of the three men.

The archaeological site barg relics from the Charles phase (3500-1300 BC ), although some findings also extend to the so-called Knut Fladmark Lithic Stage - back (ca. 7000 3500 BC). It is thus one of the few sites of this age in western Canada.

Originally, the institution of the Friends of Hatzic Rock Society was founded, which now XA: YTEM Siyaye Society means.

The center provides for students and for students at different learning programs, working with Simon Fraser University in Burnaby together and the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.