An article by Gavin Fisher on cbc.ca - First Nations man leads tours to sacred Bella Coola petroglyphs to share Indigenous culture - reports on the rock carvings of animal and supernatural images estimated to be between 5,000 and 10,000 years old in Thorsen Creek, British Columbia.

The petroglyphs, located in Thorsen Creek in the Bella Coola Valley, consist of images from the animal and supernatural worlds. Image: Grant Lawrence/CBC.

The article focuses on Chris Nelson of the Nuxalk Nation in the Bella Coola Valley, who runs Copper Sun Journeys, an aboriginal owned and operated company. He makes the trip to the sacred First Nations rock art site in Thorsen Creek almost every day, whether or not he's leading a tour.

#FirstNations man leads tours to sacred #RockArt in #Canada to share Indigenous #culture https://t.co/xP16KmLdev pic.twitter.com/apkUiny2QJ

— Bradshaw Foundation (@BradshawFND) August 2, 2016

Nelson believes the site was once used by higher ranking societies within the Indigenous population - societies such as the society of chiefs, mask dancers, doctors and elders.

Those wanting to see the petroglyphs are recommended to visit with a local guide, which is why Nelson is protective of the site's exact location within Thorsen Creek. Though Nelson is in his second year leading tours with Copper Sun Journeys, he said he has done tours since 2000 and intends to continue for years to come. The tours aim to tell the story about the petroglyphs and the site itself from the First Nation point of view - Nelson is sharing the knowledge.

Visit the Rock Art Archive of Canada:

http://www.bradshawfoundation.com/canada/index.php