302 Yellowhead Highway
info@chieflouiscrossing.ca 250-214-0455

A Highly Coveted Location

Chief Louis Crossing is a development property and company of Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc, a vibrant community rooted in the rich heritage of the Interior-Salish Secwepemc (Shuswap) speaking peoples of British Columbia. The word Kamloops is the English translation of the Shuswap word Tk’emlúps, meaning ‘where the rivers meet,’ and for centuries has been the home of the Tk’emlupsemc, ‘people of the confluence.’

Our highly coveted location is a convenient destination for residents, passersby, and visitors. We are your local shopping destination catering to your everyday needs and serving as a vibrant business hub. We’re more than just a place to shop – we’re curating an ecosystem where sustainability and community values thrive.

Where Sustainability
Meets Convenience

Our commitment to sustainability is reflected in every aspect of our development. From our eco-friendly buildings to our carefully selected tenants, Chief Louis Crossing is poised to become a cornerstone of sustainable shopping, business, and leisure.

Join us as we create a space where environmental responsibility meets convenience, where businesses flourish alongside community engagement, and where every visit contributes to a brighter, greener future for all. Chief Louis Crossing: Where sustainability meets everyday convenience, and where your neighbourhood comes alive.

Photo Credit: Secwepemc Museum & Heritage Park

Guided By Our Ancestors

Chief Louis Crossing is guided by our ancestors and positioned for mutual success. Our name represents the physical crossing of the Yellowhead Highway and Shuswap Road and where the Chief Louis Center East and West collide. This name also continues to honour the legacy of Chief Louis who was recognized as one of the best chiefs in the Interior and a dominant figure in the Kamloops region when he was chief from 1855 to 1915.

The Story of Chief Louis

Louis Xle Xxle’xken, or Louis Hli-Hleh-Kan, stands as a revered figure in Secwépemc history, presiding over pivotal moments from 1828 to 1915. Familiarly known as “Petit Louis” for his stature, he wore multiple hats – from serving the Hudson’s Bay Company and managing substantial livestock to cultivating farmland. Taking leadership around 1855, Louis witnessed the creation of the Kamloops Indian Reserve and fervently advocated for land rights during the smallpox epidemic. An unwavering advocate for education, he supported schools and represented the concerns of interior Indians on national and international platforms. Louis embraced Catholicism, becoming a “church chief” and actively contributing to the reconstruction of St. Joseph’s church. Louis later lived in a large house next to the church. He was married at least two times and had one daughter and five sons with his wife Marie Larue. The Influenza epidemic of 1917-1918 unfortunately took the lives of his daughter and all four grandchildren leaving no descendants.

Beyond his leadership, Louis was a dynamic force, championing indigenous causes and successfully expanding the Kamloops Reserve to over 33,000 acres in 1878. His influence reached global proportions, with participation in a delegation to England to present grievances to Queen Victoria. Fluent in Chinook jargon, Louis, alongside Chief Chilliheetza, embarked on a European tour in 1904, receiving accolades for their accomplishments. In Kamloops, he was a familiar face, hosting dignitaries and actively engaging with the community. Reflecting on his passing in 1915, the Kamloops Sentinel aptly noted, “He was generally recognized as one of the ablest Chiefs in the interior. He was a man of keen intelligence, very diplomatic in all business connected with the interests of his people, and he will be missed by them.” The legacy of Louis Xle Xxle’xken stands as a testament to Secwépemc resilience and leadership.

Story excerpt based on the original text by Kenneth Favrholdt, with contributions by Krista Stoesz.

Photo Credit: Secwepemc Museum & Heritage Park