Teloot was an influential chief of the lower Tsilhqot’in First Nations tribe.
1 He had been previously employed as a guide for artist
Frederick Whymper who described Teloot as
An Indian of some intelligence,
and another previous employer regarding him as
a faithful and trustworthy guide.
2 In
1864, Teloot, along with
Klatsassin, Tappit, Kiddaki, Piere, Tansaki and Tatchasia went on the run from colonial authorities
for their involvement in the deaths of the
Waddington road crew at
Bute Inlet. While suffering from starvation, the men surrendered to
Mr. Cox at the Old Hudson Bay Fort on
Chilko Lake.
3 The Tsilhqot’in men were taken to
Alexandria to be tried by the Chief Justice and Jury.
4 Chief Justice Matthew Begbie charged Teloot with wounding
Phillip Buckley with intent to murder and had Teloot executed at
Quesnelmouth on
26 October 1864 at seven in the morning.
5 On the scaffold Teloot was believed to urge the people of
Alexandria to make peace between the Tsilhqot’ins and the whites, and to cease fighting with
their native neighbours.
6