The Shishalh (Shíshálh) Nation is a First Nation on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, Canada.
Sometimes known as the Sechelt, the Shishalh people are indigenous to the Pacific Northwest Coast, originally inhabiting the southern part of what is now the Sunshine Coast, where they have been for thousands of years, as evidenced by protected petroglyphs and middens along the shoreline.
The Shishalh are one of the Coast Salish tribes, as we think of them today. The tribes, however, didn't use the term Salish or any other term to denote those tribes who resided in that area or spoke languages that we now consider to be in the Salish family of languages. They may not be in favor of these classifications today, but there is some sense to it. Seemingly, these were the tribes within which intermarriages were common, and warfare between members of these tribes was uncommon. While geography plays a role, the term Salish was a term applied to similar languages, although the languages were similar because the speakers belonged to tribes who resided in the same geographical area.
While there were no traditions or references to conflict with their Salish neighbors, the Shishalh were frequently raided by non-Salish tribes from the north, who killed several Shishalh people, taking others as slaves.
Within Shishalh society, the village was the basic unit. Fixed and permanent, Shishalh villages were autonomous, and it is uncertain whether early Shishalh people recognized any larger governmental authority.
At the time of contact with Europeans, the Shishalh occupied about eighty villages, and their population estimates ranged from 5,000 to 20,000, although, by the time of the first official census in 1881, the Shishalh population had declined dramatically, to 167, largely due to deaths from introduced disease epidemics.
The Shishalh First Nations settlement included four main villages on the Sunshine Coast, two in Jervis Inlet, and one each on Pender Harbour and Sechelt Inlet.
Represented today by the Shishalh Nation, with a population of more than one thousand, the Nation is self-governing and operates successful businesses. Approximately half of its enrolled members reside on Shishalh lands.
Topics related to the Shishalh (Sechelt) people, its First Nations government, or any businesses, industries, schools, medical facilities, programs, events, or other entities related to the Shishalh people, whether owned and operated by the First Nations government of individual Shishalh people, are appropriate for this portion of our web guide.
Recommended Resources
The First Nation lies between Queens Reach in Jervis Inlet and Howe Sound on the south coast of British Columbia, Canada. The site features its government, constitution, chief, council, and departments, along with contacts and additional information. It also posts its cultural and language programs, support services, economic development and job opportunities, news, announcements, and a calendar of events, along with administrative and media contacts and an online inquiry form.
https://shishalh.com/
Sunshine Coast Museum & Archives
The museum presents the history of the Sunshine Coast and its inhabitants, including the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Shíshálh Nation, the Skwxwú7mesh, and European pioneers, settlers, businesses, and industries. It includes photographs, newspaper archives, podcasts, and educational materials, including a museum school and its policies for classroom visits to the facility. The location and hours are stated, and an online shopping area is included.
https://www.sunshinecoastmuseum.ca/
Syiyaya Reconciliation Movement
The Syiyaya Reconciliation Movement is a local initiative welcoming all people living on the Shishalh swiya (homelands) to come together to work as one for healing of the intergenerational harm done to First People through Canada's history of cultural genocide and abuse in residential schools. It is an initiative of indigenous and non-indigenous residents of the Sunshine Coast. Its projects and events are highlighted, and volunteer opportunities are set forth, and contacts are posted.
https://syiyayareconciliation.ca/
The Tsain-Ko Development Corporation is the parent company of the Shíshálh Nation’s economic development arm, carrying out functions related to natural resources, commercial properties, capacity building, business support, and advisory services. The TKDC manages Tsain-Ko Centre, Ksain-Ko Forestry, Tsain-Ko Blue Run of River, Tsain-Ko Run of River Access, Tsain-Ko Properties, Tsain-Ko Services, and the Tsain-Ko Housing Society, which are featured here, with contacts.
https://tsain-ko.com/
