Fraser Valley » History

The history of this destination stretches back thousands of years, beginning with the First Nations community who lived in this area. As the last ice sheets retreated around 10,000 years ago, the Sto:lo people came to inhabit the areas of the Fraser River. The importance of the river is reflected in the meaning of Sto:lo; translated as “people of the river” and refers to all Coast Salish Tribes situated along the Fraser River corridor from Qw’óntl’en (Fort Langley) to Xwoxwela:lhp (Yale). This geographic territory represents the largest population of Aboriginal people in close proximity to the city of Vancouver.

Archaeological evidence from Xa:ytem is physical testimony of long term Stó:lo presence, cultural traditions and spirituality. It also demonstrates that ancestors of the Stó:lo were a socially developed society of people who fished for salmon, systematically harvested the forests, traded over great distances and practiced a life rich in ceremony. Credit: Xa:ytem.

The Sto:lo people have always lived in the areas of the Fraser River on an ancient flood plain in the beautiful Fraser Valley. This traditional territory is one of the richest sights for archeological materials.

Today the Sto:lo Territory encompasses 24 First Nations Bands, all located in the Fraser Valley with the Territory extending from the mouth of the Fraser River up to the Lower Fraser Canyon. The dominating feature of the Fraser Valley’s geology is the Fraser River. At Hope, the river enters a broad flood plain extending 130 km to the coast and Vancouver.

There are approximately 5,000 Sto:lo people and 900 other Aboriginal people (Status, Non-Status, Metis and Inuit) residing with-in the Territory. The Sto:lo Nation has the only sacred transformer rock site in Canada that is available for the public to access and is home to the oldest house in British Columbia, older than the Egyptian Pyramids.

One of the more notable activities of the Sto:lo members are the number of events and festivals with strong cultural content that are open to the public. The community members are actively participating in keeping their culture alive by being host to over 40,000 First Nations and other people a year at annual events and festivals held in their communities. Along with this they own accommodations, restaurants, art galleries, archaeological sites, carving sheds and offer sweat lodge ceremonies and authentic native cuisine to visitors.

A good selection of Authentic Cultural activities and local arts and crafts are available and accommodations range from a traditional style long-house accommodation, a B&B heritage lodge, campgrounds or a hot springs resort, all within the Sto:lo territory.

Traditionally, spirituality was incorporated into every aspect of the Sto:lo Peoples daily life. Understanding nature, its rhythms and cycles helped each person to understand themselves and one another. Their art formed an integral part of the culture and art and spirituality went hand and hand. Whenever clothing or art were produced, the person would have in mind a purpose for it. While a woman’s husband was away hunting, she would pray over a gift she was making to protect him from harm.

The celebrations, sites, cuisine and accommodations in the Lower Mainland follow the Fraser River on either side going east from Vancouver through the rugged and majestic mountains to the town of Hope. On the south side of the Fraser River, following highway # 1, east, pass through the agricultural fields of Fort Langley, Abbotsford and Chilliwack and in two hours, you are in Hope. Cross the Fraser River and take the highway west back to Vancouver through the charming towns of Agassiz and Harrison Hot Springs driving through incredible scenery, arriving back in Vancouver in two hours.

The Sto:lo People keep tradition and culture alive in celebration, festivals, art, and every day life. You have been welcomed to participate in these public events and cultural activities as you travel through the Sto:lo Nations of Aitchelitz, Chawathil, Cheam, Kwantlen, Kwa Kwaw Apilt, Leq’a:mel, Matsqui, Popkum, Scowlitz, Seabird Island, Shxw’ow’hamel, Shxwha:y, Skawahlook, Skowkale, Skwah, Soowahlie, Squiala, Sumas, Tzeachten and Yakweakwioose.