Tla A'min Nation

Map of Sliammon tribal territory

The Tla'amin First Nation, formerly Sliammon Indian Band or Sliammon First Nation, is a First Nations band government whose reserves and traditional territories are located on the upper Sunshine Coast in southwestern British Columbia, Canada. The Sliammon, whose proper name is Tla'amin, are closely related to the Klahoose and Homalco peoples and have shared their adjoining territories; formerly all three collectively were known as the Tla A'min. They have been part of the Coast Salish indigenous peoples of the western coast of Canada since ancient times.^[1]

The traditional territory of the Sliammon people extends from the vicinity of Stillwater and the northern part of Texada Island, northward along the Malaspina and Gifford Peninsulas to the southern area of Homfray Channel and part of Cortes Island, including also the smaller off-shore islands such as Hernando, Savary and Harwood as well as Powell, Goat and Haslam Lakes.

Their ancestral tongue is Ay-Ay-Ju-Thum (ʔayʔaǰuθəm) which is shared with the Klahoose and Homalco peoples. Historically, these three tribes were all one people with no borders or separation. The three communities shared the village of Kah Kay Kay (Grace Harbour) during the winter months and practiced the winter ceremonies that were held by the Coast Salish People. The use of Skway Skway masks, ceremonial songs and dances and potlatching and feasting were common here. Today, Sliammons main village lies at Tishosum (milky waters from herring spawn) where close to 1000 people now reside. The community has been growing over the years and include the administrative offices, treaty offices, forestry offices, health center, Ahms Tah Ow school, Chi-Chuy (daycare, preschool, kindergarten), Soccer fields, Gymnasium, used as community hall, Development Corporation offices and more.

Sliammon has been working with B.C. and Canada through the B.C. Treaty process to address the outstanding land question by borrowing money and reaching stage 5 of stage 6. A community vote was held in 2001 on an agreement in principle. This was a split vote – 51% voted no 49% voted yes. Again the community voted in 2003 on an agreement in principle and this passed by 63% yes, 37% no.

Sliammon currently has 6 specific claims files which are being pursued by Sliammon Chief and Council and the negotiation team.. Specific claims include:

• Wilde Road (which has been initially rejected by Canada),
• Southview Beach/ Scuttle Bay (which has only been partially accepted by Canada)
• Klahannie (Lot 29)
• Lund Road (which was revised and submitted)
• Tees-Kwat (which has recently been submitted and has been initially rejected)

The Tla'amin Final Agreement was given royal assent in British Columbia on March 14th, 2014.^[2]

The Sliammon First Nation is a member government of the Naut'sa mawt Tribal Council. Their offices are located in the town of Powell River.

See also

• Comox language

References

External links

• Sliammon First Nation website
• Naut'sa Mawt Tribal Council website
• Sliammon Treaty Society website
• "10 Year Old Powerhouse Ta’Kaiya Blaney". RPM.fm. Retrieved 2012-08-08.