SEMIAHMOO FIRST NATION

The Semiahma are a proud and determined trans-boundary nation located in both Canada and the United States. While our traditional territories are now divided between the two countries, we remain closely connected to the Lummi & Nooksack who live in the United States. Our people have inhabited extensive territory across Washington state, the Strait of Georgia (now known as the Salish Sea) and the Lower Mainland of British Columbia for thousands of years. We are primarily tied through the common language of North Straits Salish, as well as our traditional fishing methods and the use of common lands. 

Before the arrival of European settlers, our peaceful way of life was oriented to the sea. While other Nations focused more on land hunting and trapping, we were dominantly focused on fishing for sustenance. 

The Spanish were the first Europeans to visit our ancestors in 1791, when two ships arrived to examine the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The next year, Captain George Vancouver explored our ancestral waters and reported finding ruins of a fishing camp on Point Roberts that were capable of containing 400 or 500 inhabitants.

We became a trans-boundary nation in 1846, when the Oregon Treaty was signed to define the border between the United States and British North America at the 49th parallel. The waters in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, remained open to navigation by both parties. All of Vancouver Island was placed in Canada, but Point Roberts was claimed by the United States, a decision which isolated us from traditional village and fishing sites. After the division, many Semiahmoo members were forced to choose one membership between the Semiahmoo in Canada, and the Nooksack and Lummi in the United States.

The Point Elliot Treaty was signed between the United States government and the Native American tribes of the greater Puget Sound area. The treaty established, amongst others, the Lummi Reservation, and guaranteed fishing rights. The Semiahmoo were not a signatory, and while we existed as an entity prior to the treaty, our name was excluded from the maps after the treaty was signed. It was expected that Semiahmoo and Nooksack would ultimately join the Lummi on their reservation, which some did. Others moved to the Little Campbell River on the Semiahmoo Indian Reserve in British Columbia.

On the Canadian side of the border we reside in what is referred to as South Surrey on our Semiahmoo Reserve. Before 1850, we primarily spent our winters at Drayton Harbour, Birch Bay, Crescent Beach and Semiahmoo Bay. Summers were spent in what is now known as Tsawwassen and Point Roberts.

For generations, we have been working towards true economic independence. However, we are faced with challenges to achieving this goal. For example, we are the only community in the Metro Vancouver area without access to clean running water. We also lack adequate sewage services. 

As a nation, we have been working towards charting our own economic and social destiny, with a strong desire to be fully autonomous. We simply want to have what our neighbouring communities have already enjoyed for decades – something Canada’s Constitution entitles us to.