Soowahlie First Nation facts for kids
The Soowahlie First Nation, also known as the Soowahlie Band, is a group of Indigenous people called the Sto:lo. Their traditional name in the Halkomelem language is Th'ewá:lí. They live in the beautiful Upper Fraser Valley area, near Cultus Lake, British Columbia, Canada. The Soowahlie are part of the Stó꞉lō Tribal Council, which helps different Sto:lo communities work together. Their reserve lands cover about 533.4 hectares, and around 373 people live there.
Understanding First Nations
First Nations are the Indigenous peoples of Canada. They have lived on this land for thousands of years. Each First Nation has its own unique history, culture, and language. The Soowahlie First Nation is one of many such groups. They have their own government, called a band government, which makes decisions for their community.
The Sto:lo People
The Sto:lo are a large group of First Nations who live along the Fraser River in British Columbia. Their name means "river" in their language, Halkomelem. The Sto:lo have a rich history and strong connection to the land and water. They have always used the river for travel, fishing, and trade.
Soowahlie Reserve Lands
First Nations reserve lands are special areas set aside for Indigenous communities. These lands are managed by the First Nation themselves. The Soowahlie First Nation has several reserve lands under their care.
Key Reserve Areas
Here are the main reserve lands managed by the Soowahlie Band:
- Grass Indian Reserve No. 15: This reserve is about half a mile southeast of Chilliwack. It covers 64.80 hectares. This land is shared with eight other First Nations bands.
- Pekw'Xe:yles (Peckquaylis): This reserve is 10.30 hectares in size. It is shared with 20 other First Nations bands.
- Soowahlie Indian Reserve No. 14: This is the largest reserve, located on the left bank of the Chilliwack River. It is about one mile south of Vedder Crossing and covers 458.30 hectares.
