A long time ago, the Grease Trail was used to transport ooligan grease in cedar boxes from place to place. The Nuxalk and Carrier people originally used the trails for communication, transport and trade, particularly ooligan grease from the Pacific Coast. Due to natural obstacles in the Fraser River, Mackenzie was lead by Nuxalk-Carrier guides through the trails. Many parts of the grease trails have been converted to wagon roads to access reserves along the route. Many parts of the grease trail stretched all over B.C going about as far as Alberta. Grease is made by several tons of small fish called Oolichans; then, people would render the fish oil, jar it and give it to families or trade it.

We hope you learned why these grease trails were so crucial for all First Nations.