The Athabascan Indigenous people in British Columbia are believed to have originated in Asia, crossed across the Bering Straits to Alaska and then migrated to the interior of British Columbia over thousands of years. The exact origins of the Athabascan people in BC are not well documented, but it is known that they have lived in the region for a long time and have a rich cultural heritage.

When the Athabascan Indigenous people in British Columbia came into first contact with Europeans, they occupied a large portion of the interior of the province, including the areas around the Nass, Skeena, and Bulkley Rivers, as well as the upper Fraser River valley. These Indigenous peoples have a long history of inhabiting this region, and their cultures and traditions are deeply rooted in the land and its resources.

The Athabascan Indigenous people in British Columbia had complex relationships with other Indigenous peoples in the region. They were part of a larger cultural and linguistic group that extended throughout the interior of western North America, and they had trade and intermarriage relationships with neighboring Indigenous groups. Some Athabascan groups also had alliances and conflicts with other Indigenous groups in the region. These relationships were shaped by a variety of factors, including access to resources, cultural practices, and historical events.

The Athabascan Indigenous people in British Columbia traditionally spoke Athabascan languages. These languages belong to the Athabascan language family, which is one of the largest Native American language families and is found across a large portion of western North America. There are several dialects of Athabascan spoken in BC, including Babine-Witsuwit'en, Carrier, and Chilcotin. Some Athabascan communities in BC continue to use their traditional language today, while others have shifted to using English or other languages.

Alexander Mackenzie was a Scottish explorer who made contact with the Athabascan Indigenous people in British Columbia in the late 18th century. Mackenzie was one of the first Europeans to explore the interior of what is now Canada, and his journeys had a significant impact on the region's history. In 1793, he became the first European to cross the continent of North America, traveling from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean via the Mackenzie River. During his travels, he encountered many Indigenous peoples, including Athabascan communities in what is now British Columbia. While Mackenzie's interactions with the Athabascan people are not well documented, his explorations helped to open up the interior of the province to European trade and settlement, and had a lasting impact on the region and its peoples.

The Athabascan Indigenous people in British Columbia traditionally recorded their history through oral storytelling, songs, dances, and other cultural practices. They passed down their cultural traditions and history from generation to generation through storytelling, which was an important part of their community life. They also used various objects and symbols, such as masks, clothing, and carvings, to preserve their cultural heritage and record their history. The arrival of Europeans and the subsequent disruption of Indigenous cultures had a profound impact on these traditional methods of recording history, and much of the Athabascan people's history has been lost or altered over time. However, many communities have continued to preserve their cultural heritage and maintain their connection to their ancestral traditions, and their history and cultural practices remain an important part of their identity today.