Sto꞉lo Nation Chiefs Council facts for kids
The Sto꞉lo Nation Chiefs Council is a group that helps several First Nations communities. It's like a special council or government for these communities. They are located in the Fraser Valley area of British Columbia, a province in Canada.
This council works with First Nations governments near cities like Chilliwack and Abbotsford. It's important not to mix up this council with the Stó꞉lō Tribal Council. Even though their names are similar, they are different groups of Stó꞉lō people. Some Sto:lo communities are not part of either council.
Who Belongs to the Council?
The Sto꞉lo Nation Chiefs Council includes these First Nations:
- Aitchelitz First Nation
- Leqʼ a꞉ mel First Nation
- Matsqui First Nation
- Popkum First Nation
- Skway First Nation
- Skawahlook First Nation
- Skowkale First Nation
- Squiala First Nation
- Sumas First Nation
- Tzeachten First Nation
- Yakweakwioose First Nation
How the Council Started
The Sto꞉lo Nation Chiefs Council has an interesting history. In 1977, twenty-four Stó:lō First Nations came together. They signed something called the Stó:lō Declaration. This declaration created the Stó:lō Nation Chiefs Council.
Over time, some changes happened. By 1995, when the BC Treaty Process began, three First Nations had left the council. By 2005, two more nations had left. This meant 19 First Nations remained in the Sto:lo Nation.
Forming Two Councils
In 2005, these 19 Sto:lo First Nations decided to reorganize. They ended up forming two separate tribal councils.
Eleven of these First Nations chose to stay with the Sto:lo Nation Chiefs Council. These are the ones listed above, like Aitchelitz and Sumas.
The other eight First Nations formed a new group. This new group is called the Sto:lo Tribal Council. These nations include:
