Stsʼailes Nation (Halkomelem: Stsʼaʼí꞉les), formerly known as Chehalis First Nation (/ʃəˈheɪlɪs/ ⓘ shə-HAY-liss), is the band government of the Stsʼailes people, whose territories lie between Deroche and Agassiz, British Columbia.1 The Sts'Alies are a Halkomelem-speaking people but are distinct historically and politically from the surrounding Sto:lo peoples.
Demographics
Number of Band Members: 1185 2
Reserves
Reserves under the jurisdiction of Sts'ailes Nation include:3
- Chehalis Indian Reserve No. 5, on the right bank (west bank) of the Harrison River (location of the main community), 880.20 ha
- Chehalis Indian Reserve No. 6, on the left bank (east bank) of the Harrison River, opposite IR No. 5, 25.5 ha.
- Pekw'Xe:yles (Peckquaylis) 10.3 ha. Shared with 23 other bands, former site of St. Mary's Indian Residential School in Mission, now an educational and business complex
Economic development
In 1974, the Sts'ailes Band had one staff member; now they have over 200 employees working for the Band and Development Corporation.4
In 2009, the tribe purchased the historic Fenn Lodge, turning it into Sasquatch Crossing Eco Lodge. The lodge offers outdoor recreation opportunities and tribal cultural experiences for tourists.5
References
References
- Indian and Northern Affairs Canada - First Nation Detail
- Indian and Northern Affairs Canada - Registered Population
- Indian and Northern Affairs Canada - Reserves/Settlements/Village
- "Who We Are." Archived 2013-07-18 at the Wayback Machine Sts'ailes. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
- "History". Sasquatch Crossing Eco Lodge. Retrieved 2024-02-29.