Rancherie facts for kids

A Rancherie is a special residential area found within a First Nations community in British Columbia, Canada. Think of it as a neighborhood or village inside a larger Indian reserve. It's a term often used in everyday Canadian English, especially in British Columbia.

The word "Rancherie" comes from "ranchería", a term used in California. In the past, a "ranchería" was the living area on a large farm called a "rancho". Many of the farm workers there were Indigenous people. Over time, this term was adapted and started being used across British Columbia for First Nations communities.

What is a Rancherie?

Today, a Rancherie can be a newer housing area. But traditionally, it was the oldest part of a First Nations community. These older areas often had homes like log cabins. They were usually grouped together, sometimes around a church.

If a reserve has several living areas, "the Rancherie" often refers to the oldest one. It's important to remember that a Rancherie is just one part of a reserve. It's not the entire reserve itself. It's also not a group of reserves managed by one band government. It only means the specific community area. People outside of First Nations communities also use this term often. It's a common word in many small towns in British Columbia that are near or next to Indian Reserves. The word is generally used without any negative meaning.

The Kanaka Rancherie

Historically, the term "Rancherie" was sometimes used for other non-white communities too. A famous example was the Kanaka Rancherie in Vancouver, near Lost Lagoon. This was the main living area for the local Hawaiian community. It existed from the earliest days of Gastown and parts of it, also known as the Cherry Orchard, lasted into the 1920s.