A website about the Xa:ytem historic site near Mission, 'A Journey into Time Immemorial', has won the Grand Prize at the UNESCO International Council of Museums awards.

Based on First Nations traditional knowledge, the website was developed by Simon Fraser University in collaboration with the Sto:lo website development committee and staff of the Xa:ytem Longhouse Interpretive Center.  It is an artistic and cultural interpretation and not meant to convey precisely accurate archaeological information.  Contemporary archaeologists view First Nations as partners and value oral traditions as a source of information about the past that augments the scientific approach.  The website has been receiving one million hits a month since June.

The award was presented to Linnea Battel, Director of Xa:ytem and a past president of Heritage BC, and Dr. Barbara Winter of SFU at the recent International Museums (ICOM) Festival in Ottawa.
» www.sfu.museum/time