About Our Nation
Our Nation Today
The vibrant Sq’éwqel (Seabird Island Band) community has prospered on these fertile lands nestled along the stunning Fraser River since time immemorial. Today, over 1,000 proud, resilient residents call our close-knit community home. We blend the rich cultures of the Stó:lō and Nlaka’pamux peoples, united by Halq’eméylem, the upriver dialect of the Downriver dialect.
Our people walk hand-in-hand to build a healthy, self-sufficient nation that will strengthen for generations to come. We invest in health, education, culture, infrastructure, and economic growth to uplift all community members. Sq’éwqel offers top-quality healthcare centered in Stó:lō traditions to support wellness from birth onwards. Our school provides a culturally informed curriculum, alongside college prep and trades training. We foster food security, revitalize language, and steward our lands and waters. Our nation exercises its inherent right to self-governance under the leadership of a democratically elected Chief and Council. Guided by wisdom passed down from our ancestors, we empower Youth, care for Elders, confront injustices, and thrive together as one family.
Our Language
The upriver dialect of Halq’eméylem, part of the Coast Salish family, serves as the mother tongue of the Sq’éwqel (Seabird Island) people. Our on-reserve school provides Halq’eméylem language instruction that connects Youth with their linguistic heritage. Elders also pass down the language through oral storytelling, songs, and place names that share wisdom. Halq’eméylem reflects our distinct worldview and relationship with the land. It binds us to our identity as part of the Fraser River ecosystem.
Unfortunately, many decades of colonial oppression targeted Indigenous languages nation-wide. The last residential school survivor fluent in Halq’eméylem passed on in 2019. Now, our community aspires to reclaim our dialect through immersive programs. We work diligently to grow a new generation of fluent speakers who will revive the language.
Halq’eméylem reminds us where we come from – its restoration empowers future generations. Language revitalization goes hand-in-hand with cultural resurgence and self-determination. At Sq’éwqel (Seabird Island), we walk together towards a bright future guided by our sacred language.
Our Government
Sq’éwqel (Seabird Island) thrives under the leadership of our democratically elected Chief and Council, who uphold Indigenous governance and steer our nation’s progress. Our current Chief is Jim Harris, who provides wise guidance grounded in compassion.
Chief Harris leads a dynamic 8-person Council dedicated to community service: Councillors Chaundine Fisher, Marcie Peters, Rod Peters, Willow Walker, Marlana Peters, Tamara Andrew, Sally Hope, and Paul Andrew. Each Councillor possesses cultural portfolios that nurture language, heritage, lands, Youth empowerment and more. This governing body advocates for Sq’éwqel (Seabird Island) from the local to national level, while driving strategic initiatives to benefit our people. With community input, they set the vision to bolster health, education, infrastructure, and economic growth. Under their stewardship, we walk the road to self-sufficiency and self-governance step-by-step.
Sq’éwqel’s Chief and Council exemplify the power of shared purpose in uplifting current and future generations. Their unified leadership propels our nation forward.
