The Tsq̓éscen̓ First Nation (formerly known as the Canim Lake Band) is a First Nations government of the Secwepemc (Shuswap) Nation,[1] located in the Central Interior region of the Canadian province of British Columbia. Its main Indian reserve is located at Canim Lake, British Columbia, near 100 Mile House. It was created when the government of the then-Colony of British Columbia established an Indian reserve system in the 1860s. It is a member government of the Northern Shuswap Tribal Council.[2]
| Province | British Columbia |
|---|---|
| Population (January 2022)[2] | |
| On reserve | 403 |
| On other land | 21 |
| Off reserve | 184 |
| Total population | 608 |
| Tribal Council[2] | |
| Northern Shuswap Tribal Council | |
| Website | |
| https://canimlakeband.com/ | |
The Tsq̓éscen̓ First Nation are known in the Shuswap language as the Tsq̓éscen̓emc, "people of broken rock",[1] while their community is known as Tsq̓éscen̓' ("broken rock"). In 2023, the nation reverted to their traditional name of Tsq̓éscen̓ First Nation from the colonial label of Canim Lake Band.[3]
The Tsq̓éscen̓ First Nation has not signed any treaty with any settler-colonial political entity, nor has it ceded any land and let go its territorial claims. As part of the Northern Secwepemc te Qelmucw (Tribal Council), the Tsq̓éscen̓ First Nation has been in negotiation with the government of Canada and the government of British Columbia regarding a final treaty settling this matter. An "Agreement in Principle" was signed in 2018. Once a final agreement is signed between the Tribal Council, Canada, and British Columbia, it is expected that the Indian Reserves will be abolished, the territories under jurisdiction of the Tsq̓éscen̓ First Nation will expand significantly, and former reserves will be absorbed into settlement land under sovereignty of the Tsq̓éscen̓ First Nation.[4]
Reserves
editTsq̓éscen̓ First Nation has the following 6 Indian Reserves under its jurisdiction.[5] As explained before, these reserves were unilaterally defined by the Government of British Columbia, and thus the Band has never retracted its claim on its territory. These reserves are expected to be abolished and absorbed into settlement lands, after the signing of a final agreement.
- Canim Lake 1 - 4400 Acres
- Canim Lake 2 - 160 Acres
- Canim Lake 3 - 40 Acres
- Canim Lake 4 - 40 Acres
- Canim Lake 5 - 148 Acres
- Canim Lake 6 - 40 Acres
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "Our People". Canim Lake Band. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
- ^ a b "First Nation Profiles". Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. Government of Canada. p. en. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
- ^ "Tsq̓éscen̓ First Nation officially adopts traditional name". The Williams Lake Tribune. p. en. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
- ^ BC Treaty Commission - Northern Shuswap Tribal Council
- ^ Canim Lake Lands
External links
edit
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