Books by Chad Reimer

One murder. Nine months. Two trials. Chad Reimer weaves a captivating tale of murder in early British Columbia as a young man tries desperately to dodge the hangman's noose.

By examining the brutal death of Sumas Lake, historian Chad Reimer revives aspects of Sto: lo culture and emboldens the cause for environmental conservation. In his new book, Before We Lost the Lake, Chad Reimer sets out to truly reclaim Sumas Lake, to restore it to its proper place in the history of the Fraser Valley, BC and the Northwest Coast. Drawing on extensive primary material, Reimer reconstructs the life history of Sumas Lake from the glacial age through the lake's demise and after. Before We Lost the Lake examines the lake's natural history and ecology, its occupation and use by the Sema: th and other First Nations, its colonization by White immigrants, the environmental changes brought about by introduced plants and animals, and the campaign to drain it. Drainage proponents had their way and gradually the promised benefits were realized. But these benefits came at a heavy cost to the environment and for the Sema: th, whose traditional way of life was irretrievably lost.

This sweeping exploration of history writing in British Columbia shows how historians helped to construct Canada's settler society.