First Peoples
We first wish to acknowledge the many Coast Salish Peoples on whose unceded traditional Ancestral territories we live and work today. Our community is home to səw̓q̓ʷeqsən, a Musqueam winter village and cemetery that dates back nine thousand years. It has been referred to as the Glenrose and St. Mungo Cannery archaeological site by newcomers.
Seven First Nations were partners in developing “sÉ™wÌ“qÌ“Ê·eqsÉ™n – The Place of Learning and Recognition Area” located at the south footing of the Alex Fraser Bridge just off River Road in North Delta.
They are qÌ“icÌ“É™yÌ“ Katzie First Nation, qʼʷa:n̓ƛʼənÌ“ Kwantlen First Nation, kÊ·ikʷəƛ̓əm Kwikwetlem First Nation, xÊ·mÉ™θkÊ·É™yÌ“É™m Musqueam Indian Band, sÉ™myámÉ™ Semiahmoo First Nation, scÌ“É™waθn mÉ™steyÉ™xÊ· Tsawwassen First Nation, and sÉ™lilwÉ™taɬ Tsleil-Waututh Nation.
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Today, səw̓q̓ʷeqsən provides art and helpful interpretive information displays, as well as a series of lookouts along a 0.8 kilometer scenic trail good for all skill levels. The trail can be used for walking, running, nature trips, and fishing and is accessible year-round.
“Our ancestors had many villages and moved throughout our territory, but their main winter village was always located at the mouth of the Fraser River. Nine thousand years ago, that village was sÉ™wÌ“qÌ“Ê·eqsÉ™n (Glenrose). As the river delta grew and the mouth of the river moved, many of our ancestors moved with it. Between 5,000 and 2,500 years ago, our ancient village and burial site of cÌ“É™snaʔəm was at the mouth of the river. cÌ“É™snaʔəm is located by what is now known as the Marpole neighbourhood of Vancouver. It remained a major village until about 1,500 years ago, when, with the changing delta, most of our people moved to join those already at xÊ·mÉ™θkÊ·É™yÌ“É™m (Musqueam).”
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From xÊ·mÉ™θkÊ·É™yÌ“É™m: qÊ·i:lÌ•qÊ·É™lÌ• ʔə kÊ·θÉ™ snÉ™wÌ“eyəɬ ct Musqueam: giving information about our teachings Page 125
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