Lillooet is located on the banks of the Fraser River in BC. It has a population of 2800 in town and 4500 in the region.
The site has been inhabitated for several millennia. Till 1858 by the St'at'imc people. In 1858 the Cariboo Gold Rush brought a large influx of goldminers. It is reputed that between 1858 and 1860 Lillooet was the largest community west of Chicago and north of San Francisco. Because Lillooet was the head of navigation on the "lakes" route to the interior, it became mile zero on the Cariboo road.
The community has been heavily depedent on the resource industries since 1858 with gold giving way to forestry in the 20th century.
Lillooet has a climate that is semi-arid (400mm precip per year). Summers are hot, often breaking 40 degrees and is often the hottest place in Canada during the summer months.
Lillooet is one of the southern most communities in North America where aboriginal people form the majority. Just over 1/2 of the people in Lillooet and area are St'at'imc
