Our People
From the Nuu-chah-nulth and Kwakwakaw’akw of Vancouver Island to the Squamish, Tseil-watuth and Stölo tribes of the southern coast, to the Haida, Tlingit, Tsimshian and Nisga nations of the northern coast, to the Okanagan, Dene, and Secwepemc peoples of the interior, and the Ktunaxa on the eastern borders, along with the many other First Nations within British Columbia, this land and our people have always been interconnected.
From the ocean shores, through the forests, and over the mountains, our people saw all that dwelt within as relatives worthy of respect. We returned the bones of the first salmon of the season to the river so her people would know that we welcomed them back. We gave thanks to the elk and deer for sacrificing their lives so we could sustain ours, and we used the mighty eagle’s feathers in our honor ceremonies.
Many of our nations are matriarchal, tracing our lineage through our mothers, our mother’s brothers bearing the responsibilities of teaching us about the responsibilities and attributes of our clan. Our elders continue to pass along our traditions, songs, and dances as they have done for thousands of years, in keeping with the oral traditions of our cultures.
For additional information on the Aboriginal peoples within British Columbia, click here.
Map of British Columbia's First Nations
