Kwantlen First Nation

Kwantlen First Nation
Kwantlen First Nation
Ethnic groups  Stó:lō
Government Band
 -  Chief Marilyn Gabriel
Population
 -   estimate 204 

The Kwantlen First Nation is the band government of the Kwantlen subgroup of the Stó:lō people in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia, Canada, located primarily at Fort Langley.[1] They traditionally speak the Downriver dialect of Halkomelem,[2] one of the Salishan family of languages. They are a member of the Sto:lo Tribal Council, one of two Sto:lo tribal councils.

Contents

History

The Kwantlen once resided primarily in villages near present-day New Westminster, although they frequented many locations along the Lower Fraser as far upstream as a village at Hatzic. In particular, the Stave River valley was important for hunting, trapping, and fishing.[3] They moved their main settlement upriver when Fort Langley was established in the 19th century, to control and maintain a trading advantage with the HBC in Fort Langley.

Indian Reserves

The band administers six Indian Reserves:[4]

  • Langley Indian Reserve No. 2, on right (west) bank of the Stave River, 1 mile from its confluence with the Fraser River, 58.3 ha. This and IRs Nos. 3 and 4 are located in the District of Mission
  • Langley Indian Reserve No. 3, on island at the mouth of the Stave River, 46 ha.
  • Langley Indian Reserve No. 4, on the left (east) bank of the mouth of the Stave River, adjacent to Silvermere Lake, 96 ha.
  • Langley Indian Reserve No. 5, on the right (north) bank of the Fraser River, 2 miles northeast of Fort Langley, to the east of Albion, 140.6 ha.
  • Whonnock Indian Reserve No. 1, between Whonnock (W) and Ruskin (E), 34.4 ha.
  • McMillan Island Indian Reserve No. 6, on McMillan Island at Fort Langley, 181 ha., which is the main community of the band and also the location of its offices.

The band also shares the Peckquaylis Indian Reserve with 20 other bands. It is the former St. Mary's Indian Residential School just east of Mission and is now a cultural, government, and aboriginal business centre.

Population

The band's population is 204.[5][6]

See also

References

Further reading