Annie York

York's time was largely spent with her family, listening to family members' stories. Through the stories told, she became educated about Spuzzum's history. York explained that Spuzzum received its name due to how flat the area is and the word spuzzum means flat. York was educated on Spuzzum chiefs and the impact that each chief had on their people. She explained that Chief Paul was known for educating his people about manners and religion through prayers, and Chief Peleck was known for teaching the people about religion by having hymns and prayers be translated to the Nlaka'pamux language. York also was educated in botany. Lastly, in the 1920s, she studied nursing in Merritt, British Columbia but did not graduate.

Annie Zixtkwu York (September 21, 1904 - August 19,1991) was a distinguished elder of the Nlaka'pamux people (also known as Thompson) of the Spuzzum First Nation of Spuzzum, in Fraser Canyon located in the lower region of British Columbia, Canada. York was raised by her Nlaka'pamux family where she came to be bilingual speaking English and Nlaka'pamuctsin.She dedicated herself to the Christian religion and the beliefs of the Nlaka'pamux people, Nle'kepmx. York's family members educated her about the history of Spuzzum as well as the origin of its name, Spuzzum chiefs, and the ethnobotany of the region. York was known to be a storyteller, always recording and sharing stories.

Annie York was born on September 21,1904 in Spuzzum territory in British Columbia. She died August 19, 1991 due to Tuberculosis in Spuzzum. York was the third of seven children born to William Benjamin and Lucy Palmer York. Her mother was of English and Nlaka'pamux descent while her father was a Nlaka'pamux man whose family all originated from Spuzzum territory. Though York's father was Nlaka'pamux, her mother's mixed heritage did not allow the family to live together in Spuzzum territory. Therefore, York's family moved to Fraser Canyon in British Columbia. In her time in Fraser Canyon, her family prohibited her to return to Spuzzum territory given the situation with her mother. York grew up living with her mother's Nlaka'pamux family as well as with Amelia York, her grandmother from her father's side. York came to be bilingual speaking both English and Nlaka'pamux language.

Bowl of Bone: Tale of the Syuwe directed by Jan-Marie Martell and produced by Annie York takes place in the late 1900s. The film brings the audience along Martell's journey in meeting York and in learning about the Syuwe under York's unique teaching style.

Annie York was a co-author of two published novels, Spuzzum: Fraser Canyon Histories 1808-1939 and They Write Their Dreams on the Rock Forever: Rock Writings of the Stein River Valley of British Columbia. She was the subject of the movie, Bowl of Bone: Tale of The Syuwe.

Annie York was a co-author of two published novels, Spuzzum: Fraser Canyon Histories 1808-1939 and They Write Their Dreams on the Rock Forever: Rock Writings of the Stein River Valley of British Columbia. York assisted and showcased her personal history in the film Bowl of Bone: Tale of the Syuwe.

The authors of Spuzzum: Fraser Canyon Histories 1808-1939 were Annie York and Andrea Laforet. The novel takes place in Fraser Canyon and occurs during colonization The novel emphasizes and preserves the history of the Nlaka'pamux people undergoing colonization. The history is captured through York's experience along with her knowledge of her family's experiences.