List of Indian reserves in British Columbia facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The Government of Canada has set aside over 316 special areas called reserves for First Nation communities in British Columbia. These reserves are lands where First Nations people live and govern themselves. Most of these reserves still exist today, while some have changed over time.

Understanding First Nations Reserves
Examples of First Nations Reserves in British Columbia
See also

Understanding First Nations Reserves

Reserves are pieces of land that the Canadian government set aside for First Nations. They are meant to be places where First Nations can live, keep their culture, and manage their own affairs. Each reserve is connected to a specific band government, which is like the local government for that First Nation community.

Who are First Nations?

First Nations are the original people who lived in Canada before European settlers arrived. They have rich cultures, languages, and histories that are unique to their communities. In British Columbia, there are many different First Nations groups, each with their own traditions and territories.

What is a Band Government?

A band government is the local governing body for a First Nation community. It's similar to a town council or city government. These governments make decisions about things like housing, education, health, and community services on their reserves. They work to improve life for their people and protect their rights and lands.

What are Tribal Councils?

Many First Nations bands work together in groups called Tribal Councils. These councils help different bands share resources, knowledge, and support each other. They can also represent several First Nations when talking with the government or other organizations. It's like a team of local governments working together for common goals.

Examples of First Nations Reserves in British Columbia

British Columbia is home to many First Nations reserves. Here are a few examples from the long list, showing how diverse these communities are:

Ahahswinis 1: This reserve is for the Hupacasath First Nation, who are part of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council. It's located near Port Alberni and had a population of 119 people in 2016.
Ahous 16: This reserve belongs to the Ahousaht First Nation, also part of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council. It's found on Vargas Island in Clayoquot Sound and was home to 622 people in 2016.
Aitchelitch 9: This reserve is for the Aitchelitz First Nation, who are part of the Sto:lo Nation. It's located near Chilliwack and had 15 residents in 2016.
Alert Bay 1 & 1A: These reserves are for the Namgis First Nation, who are part of the Musgamagw Tsawataineuk Tribal Council. They are located in Alert Bay. In 2016, Alert Bay 1 had 213 people, and Alert Bay 1A had 252.
Alexandria 1, 1A, 3, 3A: These reserves belong to the Alexandria First Nation, part of the Tsilhqot'in National Government. They are located south of Quesnel. In 2016, Alexandria 1 had 15 people, 1A had 0, 3 had 15, and 3A had 5.
Alkali Lake 1 & 4A: These reserves are for the Alkali Lake Indian Band, also known as Esketemc First Nation, who are Secwepemc people. They are located at Alkali Lake. In 2016, Alkali Lake 1 had 328 people, and 4A had 10.
Anacla 12: This reserve is for the Huu-ay-aht First Nations, part of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council. It's located on the Pacheena River in Barkley Sound, with their main office in Bamfield. In 2016, 82 people lived here.
Anahim's Flat 1, Anahim's Meadow, Anahim's Meadow 2A: These reserves belong to the Tl'etinqox-t'in Government Office (Anaham Reserve First Nations), who are Tsilhqot'in people. They are located near Alexis Creek in the Chilcotin District. In 2016, Anahim's Flat 1 had 342 people, Anahim's Meadow had 10, and Anahim's Meadow 2A had 0.
Ashnola 10: This reserve is for the Lower Similkameen Indian Band, part of the Okanagan Nation Alliance. It's located in Ashnola and had 83 residents in 2016.
Ashcroft 4: This reserve is for the Ashcroft Indian Band, who are Nlaka'pamux people. It's located in Ashcroft and had 68 people in 2016.
Anacla 12: This reserve is for the Huu-ay-aht First Nations, part of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council. It's found on the Pacheena River in Barkley Sound, with their main office in Bamfield. In 2016, 82 people lived here.
Becher Bay 1 & 2: These reserves belong to the Beecher Bay First Nation, who are Coast Salish people. They are located near Metchosin and Sooke. In 2016, Becher Bay 1 had 129 people, while Becher Bay 2 had no data.
Bella Bella 1: This reserve is for the Heiltsuk people and is located in Waglisla. In 2016, it had a population of 1,019.
Bella Coola 1: This reserve is for the Nuxalk people and is located in Bella Coola. In 2016, it had 807 residents.
Blind Creek 6 & 6A: These reserves are for the Lower Similkameen Indian Band, part of the Okanagan Nation Alliance. They are located in Keremeos. In 2016, Blind Creek 6 had 26 people, while 6A had no data.
Blueberry River 205: This reserve had a population of 197 in 2016.
Bonaparte 3: This reserve is for the Bonaparte Indian Band, part of the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council. They are Secwepemc people, and the reserve is located in Cache Creek. In 2016, 121 people lived here.
Bridge River 1: This reserve is for the Bridge River Indian Band, part of the Lillooet Tribal Council. They are St'at'imc people, and the reserve is located near Lillooet and Moha. In 2016, 241 people lived here.
Burns Lake 18: This reserve is for the Burns Lake Indian Band, who are Wet'suwet'en (Dakelh) people. It's located in Burns Lake and had 48 residents in 2016.
Burrard Inlet 3: This reserve is for the Tsleil-waututh First Nation, who are Coast Salish people. It's located in North Vancouver and is the birthplace of Chief Dan George. In 2016, 1,855 people lived here.
Campbell River 11: This reserve is for the Campbell River First Nation, part of the Kwakiutl District Council. They are Weywakum, Laich-kwil-tach (Kwakwaka'wakw) people, and the reserve is in Campbell River. In 2016, 381 people lived here.
Canim Lake 1 & 2: These reserves are for the Canim Lake Indian Band, who are Secwepemc people. They are located at Canim Lake. In 2016, Canim Lake 1 had 228 people, and Canim Lake 2 had 5.
Cayoosh Creek 1: This reserve is for the Cayoose Creek Indian Band (Sek'welwas), part of the Lillooet Tribal Council. They are St'at'imc people, and the reserve is in Lillooet. In 2016, 66 people lived here.
Chawathil 4: This reserve is for the Chawathil First Nation, part of the Stó:lō Tribal Council. They are Sto:lo people, and the reserve is near Hope. In 2016, 186 people lived here.
Cheakamus 11: This reserve is for the Squamish Nation, who are Squamish people. It's located near Squamish and Brackendale and is the site of the traditional village of Chiyakmesh. In 2016, 57 people lived here.
Cheam 1: This reserve is for the Cheam First Nation, part of the Sto:lo Tribal Council. They are Sto:lo people, and the reserve is in Rosedale. In 2016, 202 people lived here.
Chehalis 5 & 6: These reserves are for the Chehalis First Nation, who are Sts'Ailes people. They are located on the Harrison River in Chehalis. In 2016, Chehalis 5 had 537 people, while Chehalis 6 had no data.
Chemainus 13: This reserve is for the Chemainus First Nation, part of the Naut'sa mawt Tribal Council. They are Coast Salish people, and the reserve is in Chemainus. In 2016, 735 people lived here.
Chenahkint 12: This reserve is for the Ehattesaht First Nation, part of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council. It's located on Queens Cove, east shore of Port Eliza. In 2016, 0 people lived here.
Cheslatta 1: This reserve is for the Cheslatta Indian Band, who are Dakelh people. It's located at Cheslatta Lake and had 84 residents in 2016.
Chilco Lake 1 & 1A: These reserves are for the Xeni Gwetin First Nation, part of the Tsilhqot'in National Government. They are located in the Nemaia Valley. In 2016, Chilco Lake 1 had 5 people, and 1A had 25.
Chilhil 6: This reserve is for the Fountain Indian Band, part of the Lillooet Tribal Council. They are St'at'imc people, and the reserve is in Fountain Valley. In 2016, 70 people lived here.
Chopaka 7 & 8: These reserves are for the Lower Similkameen Indian Band, part of the Okanagan Nation Alliance. They are Syilx people, and the reserves are in Chopaka, south of Keremeos. In 2016, 81 people lived here.
Chuchuwayha 2 & 2C: These reserves are for the Upper Similkameen First Nation, part of the Okanagan Nation Alliance. They are Okanagan people, and the reserves are near Hedley. In 2016, Chuchuwayha 2 had 58 people, while 2C had no data.
Coldwater 1: This reserve is for the Coldwater Indian Band, part of the Nicola Tribal Association. They are Scw'exmx (Nlaka'pamux) people, and the reserve is in Merritt. In 2016, 318 people lived here.
Cole Bay 3: This reserve is for the Pauquachin First Nation, who are Coast Salish people. It's located at Cole Bay in Saanich Inlet. In 2016, 332 people lived here.
Columbia Lake 3: This reserve is for the ?Akisq'nuk First Nation (Columbia Lake Indian Band), part of the Ktunaxa Kinbasket Tribal Council. They are Ktunaxa people, and the reserve is near Columbia Lake and Canal Flats. In 2016, 140 people lived here.
Comox 1: This reserve is for the K'ómoks First Nation, part of the Kwakiutl District Council. They are Comox/Kwakwaka'wakw people, and the reserve is in Comox. In 2016, 222 people lived here.
Coquitlam 1 & 2: These reserves are for the Kwikwetlem First Nation, who are Sto:lo people. They are located in Coquitlam. In 2016, Coquitlam 1 had 54 people, and Coquitlam 2 had 0.
North Thompson 1: This reserve is for the Simpcw, part of the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council. They are Secwepemc people, and the reserve is in Chu Chua, north of Barriere. In 2016, 724 people lived here.
Osoyoos 1: This reserve is for the Osoyoos Indian Band, part of the Okanagan Nation Alliance. They are Okanagan people, and the reserve is in Osoyoos and Oliver. A large part of this reserve is leased for vineyards, producing 40% of all grapes in the Okanagan.
Prophet River 4: This reserve is for the Prophet River First Nation, part of the Treaty 8 Tribal Association. It's located at Mile Post 234, Prophet River Settlement, in the Fort Nelson region. This is the only reserve for this First Nation.
Tsawwassen Indian Reserve: This reserve was for the Tsawwassen First Nation, who are Coast Salish people, located in Tsawwassen (Delta). This reserve was officially changed on April 3, 2009, due to the Tsawwassen Treaty.
Tsinstikeptum 9 & 10: These reserves are for the Westbank First Nation, part of the Okanagan Nation Alliance. They are Okanagan people, and the reserves are in West Kelowna, across Okanagan Lake from Kelowna.
T'sou-ke Indian Reserve 1: This reserve is for the T'sou-ke First Nation, part of the Naut'sa mawt Tribal Council. They are Coast Salish people, and the reserve is in Sooke. Its name was changed on April 16, 1998, to match the First Nation's name change.