The First Nations and Aboriginal peoples of British Columbia

When European settlers came to British Columbia more than 150 years ago, they found it was already inhabited by thousands of Aboriginal peoples.

According to archeological evidence, these people had been living on the West Coast for over 10 to 12 thousand years, for much longer according to Aboriginal oral tradition.

Today, there are approximately 200,000 Aboriginal people in British Columbia. Aboriginal people include First Nations, Inuit, Métis and children of First Nations and European settlers. There are 198 distinct First Nations in B.C. They speak more than 30 different languages. Each nation has its own unique tradition and history.

As Europeans moved into Aboriginal territories, they introduced their philosophies, technologies and political and economic systems. Relationships between Aboriginal peoples and settlers varied across regions and changed over time. Sometimes, differences in language, culture and world-view peacefully co-existed; other times, they clashed in conflict, leaving a legacy of mistrust. For many years, governments and religions did not recognize Aboriginal peoples' rights, and they developed policies to eliminate the rich and diverse languages and cultures.

The B.C. First Nations

Most B.C. First Nations did not sign treaties with the government, unlike Aboriginal peoples in other parts of Canada. In 2005, the Government of British Columbia and the First Nations Leadership Council entered into a New Relationship based on respect for each other’s laws and responsibilities. This is a government-to-government relationship founded on respect, reconciliation, and recognition of Aboriginal title and rights.

This was followed by the signing of the Transformative Change Accord, which is a commitment to improve relationships and to address social and economic concerns.

Many First Nations’ communities have developed tourism businesses to attract and welcome visitors to learn about their cultures and traditions. For more information, click here.

For information about the history of First Nations and Aboriginal people, visit the British Columbia Archive’s First Nations in BC website.

For information about a specific band, click here and search for the name.