First Nations Studies

Use these resources to learn about the First Nations peoples of British Columbia.

Advanced Resources

First Nations Peoples of B.C.

This map illustrates the rich diversity of First Nations peoples of British Columbia. Like all maps, it is a rendition – a best attempt at reflecting a current reality, recognizing that "the map is not the territory".

The boundaries between territories are deliberately shown as blending into one another, in recognition of the complex territorial relationships involved. Many boundary overlaps are currently being negotiated by the First Nations as part of the B.C. Treaty Process. Names and pronunciations used on this map are as close as possible to those currently used by the First Nations.

First Nations peoples - territory map

A Basic Guide to Names*

Listed below are the First Nations Peoples as they are generally known today with a phonetic guide to common pronunciation.

The best way to learn how to say these names, is to listen closely to a native speaker pronounce the word and perhaps even ask for a quick lesson.

People	Pronunciation	Have Been Called	Language Family
Haida	Hydah	Haida	Haida
Ktunaxa	Tun-ah-hah	Kootenay	Ktunaxa
Tsimshian	Sim-she-an	Tsimshian	Tsimshian
Gitxsan	Git-k-san	Tsimshian	Tsimshian
Nisga'a	Nis-gaa	Tsimshian	Tsimshian
Haisla	Hyzlah	Kitimat	Wakashan
Heiltsuk	Hel-sic	Bella Bella	Wakashan
Oweekeno	O-wik-en-o	Kwakiutl	Wakashan
Kwakwaka'wakw	Kwak-wak-ya-wak	Kwakiutl	Wakashan
Nuu-chah-nulth	New-chaa-nulth	Nootka	Wakashan
Tsilhqot'in	Chil-co-teen	Chilcotin	Athapaskan
Dakelh	Ka-kelh	Carrier	Athapaskan
Wet'suwet'en	Wet-so-wet-en	Carrier	Athapaskan
Sekani	Sik-an-ee	Sekani	Athapaskan
Dunne-za	De-ney-za	Beaver	Athapaskan
Dene-thah	De-ney-ta	Slave(y)	Athapaskan
Tahltan	Tall-ten	Tahltan	Athapaskan
Kaska	Kas-ka	Kaska	Athapaskan
Tagish	Ta-gish	Tagish	Athapaskan
Tutchone	Tuchon-ee	Tuchone	Athapaskan
Nuxalk	Nu-halk	Bella Coola	Coast Salish
Coast Salish**		Coast Salish	Coast Salish
Stl'atl'imc	Stat-liem	Lillooet	Interior Salish
Nlaka'pamux	Ing-khla-kap-muh	Thompson/Couteau	Interior Salish
Okanagan	O-kan-a-gan	Okanagan	Interior Salish
Secwepemc	She-whep-m	Shuswap	Interior Salish
Tlingit	Kling-kit	Tlingit	Tlingit

*Adapted from Cheryl Coull's "A Traveller's Guide to Aboriginal B.C." with permission of the publisher, Whitecap Books.

** Although Coast Salish is not the traditional First Nations name for the people occupying this region, this term is used to encompass a number of First Nations Peoples including Klahoose, Homalco, Sliammon, Sechelth, Squamish, Halq'emeylem, Ostlq'emeylem, Hul'qumi'num, Pentlatch, Straits.