In this section of our web guide, we will offer online resources relating to the Tsawwassen people and the Tsawwassen First Nation.
The Tsawwassen people have inhabited the Greater Vancouver area of the Lower Mainland of British Columbia for thousands of years. Archaeological evidence suggests that the ancestors of the Tsawwassen settled the region around 2260 BC.
The ancestral lands of the Tsawwassen people are situated close to the South Arm of the Fraser River, just north of the international boundary with the United States at Point Roberts, Washington.
Historically, the Tsawwassen people's ancestral lands extended broadly across the region. Their territory encompassed the northeastern area around Pitt Lake and the Pitt River, extending down to Pitt Meadows, as well as the Fraser River watershed, including Burns Bog, parts of New Westminster, and a vast coastal stretch from Sea Island to Galiano Island. They were also connected to other Gulf Islands, such as Salt Spring, Pender, and Saturna. Moving northeast, their territory included the Point Roberts Peninsula and the area around the Serpentine and Nicomekl rivers.
Today, their land base has been reduced to a relatively small semi-enclave within the municipality of Delta. This enclave lies along the shore, situated between the Tsawwassen ferry terminal and the Roberts Bank Superport. While they hold ownership of some lands near Boundary Bay and the Fraser River, the jurisdiction over these areas remains with the City of Delta.
The Tsawwassen people lived near the sea, which is reflected in their name; tsawwassen means "land facing the sea" in the Hul'q'umi'num language.
Fishing played a large part in the diet of the Tsawwassen people, and still does. They also hunted and gathered edible foods. Their cultural practices, particularly during the winter months, included storytelling, art, and various ceremonies.
European contact brought significant changes to the way of life of the Tsawwassen people, as the arrival of white settlers, missionaries, and traders disrupted their lifestyle and traditional practices. The Tsawwassen faced challenges such as land dispossession, cultural assimilation, and the loss of their language.
In 1851, the border between Oregon Country and British Canada was established, setting a portion of the Tsawwassen territory at Point Roberts in the U.S. State of Washington In 1858, a cross-country road was built in British Columbia from Tsawwassen Beach to Fort Langley, and the following year it was followed by the first inner-city street, the "North Road" between Burnaby and Coquitlam.
A small reserve was assigned to the Tsawwassen peoples in 1871, and enlarged to 490 acres in 1874. Today, it has grown to 717 acres.
British Columbia built the BC Ferries terminal in Tsawwassen in 1958, demolishing a Tsawwassen First Nation longhouse in the process. The terminal was enlarged in 1973, 1976, and 1991 without consultation with the Tsawwassen Nation, a member government of the Naut'sa mawt Tribal Council.
After fourteen years of negotiations, the Tsawwassen First Nation signed a treaty with Canada and British Columbia in 2007. This was the first treaty reached under the BC Treaty Commission process and the first urban treaty.
The treaty facilitated the transfer of 724 hectares (1,789.04296 acres) from Canada and British Columbia to the Tsawwassen First Nation, resolving its claims to over 10,000 square kilometers of land. In addition, the Tsawwassen Nation gained certain rights relating to the harvest of natural resources and established an elected Tsawwassen government that would be an equal partner in government-to-government relations with Canada and British Columbia.
In 2009, Tsawwassen First Nation became the first First Nation to become a full member of the Metro Vancouver Regional District.
Topics related to the Tsawwassen First Nation government or its people, individually or collectively, including businesses, enterprises, schools, medical facilities, programs, services, events, or other entities, are appropriate resources for this category.
Recommended Resources
Kim Baird Strategic Consulting
Kim Baird was elected Chief of the Tsawwassen First Nation for six terms and negotiated British Columbia's first urban modern treaty in 2009. She has received several awards, which are highlighted in her biography. She owns Kim Baird Strategic Consulting and is a senior advisor on public, media, and intergovernmental relations, including First Nations relations. Her company's services include governance advice, relationship management, and economic development.
http://kimbaird.ca/
Situated at Cliff Drive Elementary School, Little Friends Preschool offers programs for three- and four-year-olds. The program is featured here, along with a form to inquire about registration. The site also introduces the preschool's teachers, posts parent testimonials, and provides its location, a map, telephone numbers, an email address, a contact form, and social media links. A gallery of photographs pictures staff members, students, classroom scenes, and other activities.
https://www.tsawwassenlittlefriends.com/
TFN Economic Development Corporation
The Tsawwassen First Nation agreement between the Nation, Canada, and British Columbia came into effect in 2009, and TFN is a full member of the Metro Vancouver Regional District. TEDC actively engages its stakeholders to secure the long-term prosperity of the Nation and British Columbians to ensure the best interests of TFN and its members are met on all economic development matters. Member businesses, partnerships, development projects, and contacts are published.
https://tfnedc.com/
The Tsawwassen First Nation (sc̓əwaθən məsteyəxʷ) is a First Nations government in the Greater Vancouver region of the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada. Its governmental structure (Chief, Legislature, Executive Council, and Advisory Council) and committees, authorities, and administrative staff are introduced. Its constitution, treaty, laws, regulations, policies, and election information are set forth, and its programs and services are outlined.
https://tsawwassenfirstnation.com/
The Tsawwassen First Nation owns and operates the shopping destination, which is located in Tsawwassen, British Columbia. The destination features large aisles, a mix of premium fashion brands, factory outlets, first-to-market retailers, and a 20,000-square-foot food court. Family-friendly events, music, culture, art, architecture, fashion, food, and entertainment are featured and help to make it a cultural hub. Its location, a map, and its business hours are stated.
https://www.tsawwassenmills.com/
TSI is the largest employer within the Tsawwassen Nation. The company opened as Stark Transportation in 2011, when it focused on marine services for environmental and fisheries research. It evolved into a broader service profile in 2015, when it took its current name. Its services include shuttle, marine, street sweeping, and watering services, which are detailed here, along with updates on the business, career opportunities, contact information, an online contact form, and online booking.
https://tsawwassenshuttles.com/
