Tzeachten First Nation: Culture, Demographics and Community Issues

1) Location, geographic characteristics, and environment

First Nation Tzeachten is a powerful, vibrant, and dedicated group of Stó: lō. As a member of the Ts'elxweyeqw Tribe, people from the Tzeachten First Nation once had access to an expansive Traditional Territory covering over 95,000 hectares of land in southwestern British Columbia, rich in history, natural beauty and wealth. Also, the jurisdiction includes the entire Chilliwack River Valley including Chilliwack Lake, Chilliwack River, Cultus Lake districts, and portions of the urban areas of Chilliwack.

The Chilliwack River (Ts'elxweyéqw) used to pass through Tzeachten First Nation at one time. Tzeachten's Halq'eméylem name is Ch'iyaqtel, has meaning "the place of the fish weir" which recognizes the important fishing weirs once located within the group. Ancestors traveled the land for hunting, fishing and picking berries and the rivers were the highways and the canoe was the vehicle of choice

Tzeachten reservation #13 is 283.8 hectares in total and shares an additional 64.8 hectares of Grass reserve land with eight of Chilliwack's surrounding First Nation groups. It also shares Peqw'xe 10.3 hectares: conservation lands in Mission, B.C. And the Coqualeetza land shares 23.5 hectares in Chilliwack, B.C.

The people of Tzeachten have experience in fishing; besides, the geographical location of Tzeachten is very convenient for raising and catching aquatic products.

As singing and drumming are a large part of our culture, they are currently working on bringing together a drum group to create a Tzeachten Song that can be used at community meetings and events.

Map of Tzeachten ( Source: https://www.viamichelin.com/web/Maps/Map-Tzeachten_13-V2R-British_Colombia-Canada)

2) Demographic profile

Tzeachten, BC currently has a population of 2,358 people. Overall, over the past 15 years from 2001 to 2016, the population of Tzeachten, BC has increased at a rate of 16.35 percent per year. His populations increased by 891 people in the last two censuses, an average annual growth rate of 12.15 percent from 2011 to 2016.

The population is the number of births plus in-migration, and it means the total market size in the region that is possible. This is an important metric for urban developers in assessing their appeal to economic health and investment. Businesses often use this as a market size measure when making decisions about start-ups, acquisitions or relocations.

The population from 2001 to 2016 (source: Statistics Canada. 2016 Census.)

3) Economic profile and activities

ECONOMIC

One of the brightest examples of successful economic development of First Nations is Tzeachten (chee-ack-ten) First Nation, in Chilliwack. Tzeachten has created a respectable real estate empire, capitalizing on its prime location. Developed by Tzeachten in 1996, the Vedder Crossing Plaza is now home to such big retail chains as Save-On-Foods, Tim Hortons, Royal Bank, Panago Pizza, Booster Juice and other local businesses.

LABOUR

Overall, in Tzeachten 13, BC, the employment rate has decreased from 2001 to 2016 at a rate of 1.49 percent per year over the past 15 years. The employment rates rose by 0.7 percent in the last two censuses, an average annual growth rate of 0.14 percent from 2011 to 2016. An increasing rate of employment represents positive economic conditions in the region, which means that people looking for a job balance an employer.

Labors In TZEACHTEN (Source: https://townfolio.co/bc/tzeachten-13/labour-force)

 ACTIVITIES FOR TZEACHTEN

The recreation system of Tzeachten First Nation is dedicated to creating a moist, safe environment in which everyone can engage in a wide range of activities. Tzeachten provides courses, regardless of ability or context, for all ages and interests.  Our events are focused on the Tzeachten Sports Field Complex, although the Tzeachten Community Center will host individual classes or sports.  We also plan outdoor events such as swimming and fitness at the Cheam Leisure Center, local trail walking or biking, and tennis court visits, besides, slides and a swing-style hammock, and plenty of field space. We're also organizing activities like swimming, bowling, and various sports.

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The Fitness programmer promotes healthy living by attending lectures and knowledge on a wide range of topics, in addition to physical activity.  They are working closely with our community partners to provide exciting opportunities for Tzeachten First Nation members and the community at large. They are also involved in the planning and execution of numerous annual community events, both on and off the reservation.

4) Issues facing the community

Tzeachten First Nation is a small community of 662 members; more than 55 percent of Tzeachten members live off reserve because of the lack of housing available. In response to this housing crisis, in 2010 initial environmental pre-development assessments were undertaken which identified the endangered species in Schedule 1, Oregon forest snail.

Funding infrastructure projects had been challenging for the Tzeachten First Nation–a band of 500 people in Chilliwack, BC. For example, when there were flooding problems in the community's sports field, they had to fund stormwater drainage work to address the issue. The Nation also wanted its leaders to build a small townhome complex.

The Chilliwack city landfill is situated next to the southeast corner of the reservation of Tzeachten First Nation, which stinks and restricts future land use.

Water pollution is quite common in Tzeachten and adversely affects people's health. Waste affects water resources and is indirectly killing more people each year, in addition to an increasing trend over time.

References

• “About.” TZEACHTEN FIRST NATION, www.tzeachten.ca/about-tzeachten/.
• “Culture & Language.” TZEACHTEN FIRST NATION, www.tzeachten.ca/about-tzeachten/culture-language/.
• “Demographics.” Townfolio, townfolio.co/bc/tzeachten-13/demographics.
• Busch, Frank. “Tzeachten First Nation Is Open for Business.” Www.vancouversun.com, www.vancouversun.com/business/tzeachten+first+nation+open+business/8246313/story.html.
• Www.dillon.ca. “News.” Dillon 70 Years, www.dillon.ca/newsDetails/2019/06/14/dillon-tzeachten-first-nation-and-katzie-first-nation-honoured-at-2019-ema-of-bc-awards.
• “Tzeachten First Nation.” First Nations Financial Management Board (FMB), fnfmb.com/en/tzeachten-first-nation.
• “Map of Tzeachten 13 - Michelin Tzeachten 13 Map.” ViaMichelin, www.viamichelin.com/web/Maps/Map-Tzeachten_13-V2R-British_Colombia-Canada.
• “Labour-Force.” Townfolio, townfolio.co/bc/tzeachten-13/labour-force.
• “Investing with Tzeachten First Nation.” Trade and Invest BC, www.britishcolumbia.ca/invest/communities/british-columbia/lower-mainland-southwest/first-nations/tzeachten-first-nation/.