SOCIAL STUDIES: What is traditional territory?

Territory and Nation

Traditional territories are the lands where First Peoples have lived for thousands of years.

Hereditary leaders are people who are chiefs because they were born into a family of chiefs.  For example, their grandfather and father were the chief too.

Each of the 203 First Nations in BC has its own traditional territory.  Each First Nation is made up of families, clans, or house groups with hereditary leaders.  The chiefs are responsible for their individual territory within the province of British Columbia.

The Coast Salish people are a group of First Nations that live on the coast of British Columbia.  They have similar languages and customs.  All the land in BC is part of the traditional territories of one First Nation or another.  We live in the Musqueam nation.  Many First Nations will use Totem Poles to tell about their ancestors and family history.

We must use our manners when we are in someone else’s territory.  We acknowledge that we are on Coast Salish territory when we have assemblies.  First Nations people ask permission before visiting a neighboring band.