Tsleil-Waututh First Nation

Tsleil-Waututh Nation
səl̓ilwətaɁɬ
Autonomous area
Country Canada
Province British Columbia
Government
  Body Chief and Council & Traditional Council
  Chief Maureen Thomas
Area
  Total 1,865 km2 (720 sq mi)
Population Enrolled members
  Total 472
Ethnic group
  Tsleil-Wautt 472
Languages
  hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ Very few
  English Most if not all
Time zone Pacific Time Zone
Website www.twnation.ca

The Tsleil-Waututh Nation (Halkomelem: səl̓ilwətaɁɬ IPA: [səl’ilwətaɁɬ]), formerly known as the Burrard Indian Band or Burrard Band, is a First Nations band government in the Canadian province of British Columbia. The Tsleil-Waututh are Coast Salish peoples who speak the Downriver dialect[1] of the Halkomelem language, and are closely related to but politically separate from the nearby nations of the Squamish and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), with whose traditional territories some claims overlap.

The Tsleil-waututh Nation is a member government of the Naut'sa mawt Tribal Council, which includes other governments on the upper Sunshine Coast, southeastern Vancouver Island and the Tsawwassen band on the other side of the Vancouver metropolis from the Tsleil-waututh. Numbering about 500 people, the Tsleil-Waututh consider themselves among the most progressive First Nations in British Columbia.

Notable members

The most famous member of the Tsleil-Waututh was Chief Dan George, an actor and native rights advocate best known for his role as Old Lodge Skins in Little Big Man , The Outlaw Josey Wales and for another role as Old Antoine in the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation television series Cariboo Cowboy (based on books by Paul St. Pierre). His descendants still figure prominently in band government and culture. The band is also known for its war canoe racing team, Takaya (wolves). The band operates a war-canoe tour/experience known as Takaya Tours.

Documentary

In 2006, a documentary followed and was filmed by four Tsleil-Waututh youth to highlight their struggles with the education system. The documentary — titled as Reds, Whites & the Blues and/or, Reading, Writing & the Rez — is a CBC Newsworld in-house production co-produced with CBUT.

See also

References

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