In January of 1986 a pictograph cave was discovered while taking aerial photos of the valley. The images were drawn in and around the cave located above the river on a south-facing slope. The cave is likely associated with puberty training in the valley. A major climb would have been required to reach it. From the cave, the aspirant would get maximum sun exposure and an unobstructed view of the surrounding wild places.
Such caves are very rare in the archaeological record - only one other is known in the Southern Interior. The elders tell about at least one other cave in the Stein.
Many of the rock painting panels outside of the cave and along the Stein were done by boys and girls during their puberty training as records of their experiences, dreams, visions or of their spirit helpers. By making paintings on rocks, they believed that they would strengthen their power and make it more permanent. They also believed that the activity of painting would hasten their union with their spirit helper. Red, the colour of the majority of the pictographs, was symbolic of life, goodness and good luck.
When youths returned from their training in the Stein, they felt empowered and skilled and fully capable of functioning as adult members of their group. Experience in the wilderness was thus the key vehicle for passing along the social wisdom and strength that was central to cultural unity.
Stein Rediscovery youth program threatened by logging
In 1986 Stein Rediscovery was established to put youth back in touch with themselves and this sacred valley. While the program is designed to primarily serve the needs of Lytton, Lilloet and Mt. Currie youth, any youngster - native or non-native - from any area of the world is eligible to take part.
The program is an adventure of the mind, body and spirit from start to finish. While pre-teen campers may arrive or depart base camp by helicopter, all teen sessions begin and end their two-week odyssey with a three-day hike. At the completion of the teen program, an exciting descent from one of the beautiful mountain passes to base camp is followed by a three-day expedition through the lower river canyon to Lytton. This 80 km traverse of the watershed has a remarkable way of bringing individuals out of themselves and together as a group.
The Rediscovery base camp, located near the confluence of the Stein River and Cottonwood Creek, allows for experiences very different from rugged wilderness adventures of the trail. Each day in camp begins with a "rabbit run" through the forest and a "bird bath" in the cold river before breakfast. As a family unit, everyone helps in the camp chores of wood cutting, water hauling, dish washing, and also in supplementing the camp diet through fishing and wild food foraging.
Each day offers a variety of educational experiences outside of camp: forest appreciation, alpine ecology, survival skills training, orienteering, wild plant identification, wildlife studies and much more.
One of the features, which most distinguish as Rediscovery programs from other wilderness camps, is the role that native elders play in teaching traditional crafts and skills. The art of weaving spruce root and cedar baskets, native cooking, wood carving, medicinal plant use, Indian tanning and leathercraft are unique learning opportunities the elders provide in the program.
Nowhere is the role of the elders more important than in preparing youth for their solo vision quest. From the vow of silence and fasting, to the ritual cleansing in the river, to the final purification in the sweat lodge, elders help youth share in the sacred rituals of the visions quest.
With so many positive reports about the importance of the Rediscovery program, it is sad to note that, should the logging road be built into the Stein, the first cut block will include the area around the Rediscovery base camp. Logging will destroy the Rediscovery program - another assault on the native people who claim the Stein as their heritage.
