Metlakatla First Nation facts for kids
The Metlakatla First Nation is an Indigenous group in Canada. They live on the North Coast of British Columbia. Their main community is called Metlakatla. It is near the city of Prince Rupert. They are part of the Tsimshian First Nations treaty council.
About the Metlakatla First Nation
The Metlakatla First Nation is a self-governing group. They have a chief and councillors who lead their community. These leaders work to make decisions for their people.
How Many People Are in the Nation?
The Metlakatla First Nation has about 794 members. This number helps us understand the size of their community.
Their Long History and Land
The Metlakatla people have lived in their traditional territory for a very long time. Scientists have studied ancient remains found near their land. These studies show a strong link between the Metlakatla people today and their ancestors from thousands of years ago.
In 2013, scientists studied the remains of a woman. She lived about 5,500 years ago on Lucy Island, British Columbia. They found that she was related to people living in the Metlakatla Nation today. This proves the Metlakatla have been in this area for over 200 generations!
Later, in 2016, another study looked at the DNA of 25 ancient people. These people lived near modern-day Prince Rupert between 1,000 and 6,000 years ago. The study connected their DNA to the Metlakatla First Nation descendants. This scientific proof matches the Metlakatla's own oral history. Their stories have always said they have lived in this region for thousands of years.
