Sliammon First Nation
Encyclopedia
First Nations
First Nations is a term that collectively refers to various Aboriginal peoples in Canada who are neither Inuit nor Métis. There are currently over 630 recognised First Nations governments or bands spread across Canada, roughly half of which are in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia. The...
government located on the upper Sunshine Coast in southwestern British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The Sliammon, whose proper name is [Tla A'min] are closely related to the Klahoose and Homalco nations and have shared their adjoining territories.
The traditional territory of the Sliammon people extends from the vicinity of Stillwater and the northern part of Texada Island, northward along the Malaspina and Gifford Peninsulas to the southern area of Homfray Channel and part of Cortes Island, including also the smaller off-shore islands such as Hernando, Savary and Harwood as well as Powell, Goat and Haslam Lakes.
Their ancestral tongue is Ay-Ay-Ju-Thum which is shared with the Klahoose and Homalco peoples. Historically, these three tribes were all one people with no borders or separation. The three communities shared the village of Kah Kay Kay (Grace Harbour) during the winter months and practiced the winter ceremonies that were held by the Coast Salish People. The use of Skway Skway masks, ceremonial songs and dances and potlatching and feasting were common here. Today, Sliammons main village lies at Tishosum (Sliammon Creek) where close to 1000 people now reside. The community has been growing over the years and include the administrative offices, treaty offices, forestry offices, health center, Ahms Tah Ow school, Chi-Chuy (daycare, preschool, kindergarten), Soccer fields, Gymnasium, used as community hall, Development Corporation offices and more.
Sliammon has been working with B.C. and Canada through the B.C. Treaty process to address the outstanding land question by borrowing money and reaching stage 5 of stage 6. A community vote was held in 2001 on an agreement in principle. This was a split vote – 51% voted no 49% voted yes. Again the community voted in 2003 on an agreement in principle and this passed by 63% yes, 37% no.
Sliammon currently has 6 specific claims files which are being pursued by Sliammon Chief and Council and the negotiation team. For some of them our Specific Claims lawyer, Allan Donovan, has completed a revised or new legal opinion to make sure we put forward our strongest case. Our specific claims include:
- Wilde Road (which has been initially rejected by Canada),
- Southview Beach/ Scuttle Bay (which has only been partially accepted by Canada)
- Klahannie (Lot 29)
- Lund Road (which was revised and submitted)
- Tees-Kwat (which has recently been submitted and has been initially rejected)
The Sliammon First Nation is a member government of the Naut'sa mawt Tribal Council
Naut'sa Mawt Tribal Council
Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council is a First Nation Tribal Council located in British Columbia, Canada, with offices in Tsawwassen and Nanaimo. NmTC advises and assists its 11 member Nations in the areas of Community Planning, Economic Development, Financial Management, Governance and Technical Services...
. Their offices are located in the town of Powell River
Powell River, British Columbia
Powell River is a city on the northern Sunshine Coast of southwestern British Columbia, Canada. Most of its population lives near the eastern shores of Malaspina Strait, that part of the larger Georgia Strait between Texada Island and the Mainland...
.