Summary
The Katzie First Nation or Katzie Nation (Halkomelem: q̓ic̓əy̓) is the band government of the Katzie people of the Lower Fraser Valley region of British Columbia, Canada.
Katzie First Nation
sq̓əc̓iy̓aɁɬ təməxʷ Katzie Nation | |
|---|---|
 Seal | |
 Traditional territory of the Katzie First Nation | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | British Columbia |
| Government | |
| • Type | Band council |
| • Chief | Grace George |
| • Councillors |
|
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.41 km2 (1.32 sq mi) |
| Population (2024) | |
| • Total | 563 |
| • On reserve | 310 |
| • Off reserve | 253 |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (PST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| Ethnic group | Stó꞉lō |
| Languages | |
| Reserves |
|
| Website | katzie |
History edit
Origins edit
The Katzie once comprised five communities in the region, each with its own founding chief, which, according to the Katzie, were the foundation of other peoples in the region, notably the Musqueam and Kwantlen. Oe’lecten and his people were based at what is now known as Pitt Lake; Swaneset at Sheridan Hill; Xwoe’pecten at Port Hammond (whose descendants became the Kwantlen); Smakwec at Point Roberts (whose people, the Snokomish, were largely killed in a smallpox epidemic in the 18th century); and C’simlenexw at Point Grey (whose descendants became the Musqueam). Today's Katzie are primarily the descendants of Oe’lecten and Swaneset.
Treaty process edit
The Katzie Nation are negotiating their land treaty independently, and are not part of either Sto:lo tribal councils (the Sto:lo Nation and the Stó:lō Tribal Council).
Golden Ears Bridge agreement edit
As the new Golden Ears Bridge was in Katzie territory, the nation signed a Benefit Agreement with TransLink in September 2004 to establish the responsibilities of both parties.
Territory and governance edit
Traditional Katzie territory includes the entire Pitt watershed, including the Alouette watershed, the Fraser River, lands adjacent to Point Roberts, and lands between the Fraser and Boundary Bay. There are approximately 592 members of the Katzie First Nation (their Indian Act-mandated government), and 302 are currently living on their five reserves.
Reserves edit
The Katzie Nation manages the affairs of residents of five reserves assigned to the Katzie, focused on the area of Pitt Meadows, where the band headquarters are located. Other reserves are on Barnston Island and at Yorkson Creek in Langley, British Columbia. These reserves are:[2][3]
- Katzie 1, one mile west of Port Hammond on right (north) bank of the Fraser River, 44.10 ha.49°12′00″N 122°40′00″W / 49.20000°N 122.66667°W[4]
- Katzie 2, opposite Port Hammond on the left (south) bank of the Fraser River, 23.10 ha.49°12′00″N 122°39′00″W / 49.20000°N 122.65000°W[5]
- Barnston Island 3, south shore of Barnston Island, 54.6 ha.49°11′00″N 122°42′00″W / 49.18333°N 122.70000°W[6]
- Pitt Lake 4, at south end of Pitt Lake, at outlet into Pitt River, 218.50 ha.49°21′00″N 122°36′00″W / 49.35000°N 122.60000°W[7]
- Graveyard 5, one mile north of Port Hammond, 0.40 ha. 49°13′00″N 122°39′00″W / 49.21667°N 122.65000°W[8]
Population edit
As of February 2024, the band's population was 563, of whom 310 live on-reserve.[9]
Language edit
həṅq̓əmín̓əḿ, the downriver dialect of Halkomelem, is still spoken by Katzie peoples despite colonization attempts (including the Canadian Residential School System). Halkomelem is one of the Coast Salish, or Salishan languages.
References edit
- ^ "Chief & Council". Katzie First Nation.
- ^ "First Nation Detail". Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. Government of Canada. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
- ^ Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Reserves/Settlements/Villages Detail
- ^ BC Geographical Names entry "Katzie 1"
- ^ BC Geographical Names entry "Kaztie 2
- ^ BC Geographical Names entry "Barnston Island 3" Archived August 26, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ BC Geographical Names entry "Pitt Lake 4"
- ^ BC Geographical Names entry "Graveyard 5"
- ^ Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Registered Population
External links edit
- Katzie First Nation website
- History of the Katzie people, Maple Ridge history website