Although also known as the Sumas before 1962,[1] the Leq’á:mel people are distinct from present-day Sumas.[4] Other previous names include Alternate Nicomen (1911), Nicomen Slough, Somass River, merged with Squeam or Skweahm (post 1924) and changed To Lackahahmen (1962–2003).[1] They were historically affiliated with the Sumas, Scowlitz, Matsqui and Nooksack tribes.[5]
Its governance structure is described as a custom electoral system.[1] The current chief is Alice Thompson who is serving a term running from April 1, 2021, to March 31, 2025.[6][7]
The name "Leq’á:mel" means "the level place where people meet" reflecting how it was described as having been one of the most popular trading stops in Stó:lō territory.[5][8] The place is also thought to be the birthplace of the Halkomelem dialect Halq’eméylem.[5][8] Historically, people lived in longhouses on Leq’á:mel land up to one kilometre in length.[5][8]
Population
The band has an approximate population of 460 as reported by the Government of British Columbia.[3] The 2016 census lists 695 members of the First Nation, a decline of 11% from the 2006 census.[9] Of them, 150 were registered Indian.[9] As of July 2022, 125 registered members live on Leq'á:mel land, 19 live on other reserves and 338 do not live on a reserve.[10]
Two cemeteries are run by the band with dozens of unlabeled graves.[11][12]
The language of the First Nation is Halq’eméylem.[1] However, it is not a mother tongue for many residents of their reserves.[13][14] Those knowing the language halved from 2006 to 2016 to 2.2%, with 675 members only knowing English.[15]
The Leq'á:mel First Nation currently holds ten reserve lands exclusively that are located in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Deroche and Nicomen Island.[16] Three reserves are residential areas, two are cemeteries and the rest are either under a certificate of possession to members, leased for agricultural use, or kept for economic development.[8]Indian Reserves under its administration include:[17]
Lakahahmen Indian Reserve No. 11, on the right (north) bank of Nicomen Slough at the confluence of Deroche Creek and the Fraser River, 38.1 ha.49°12′00″N122°05′00″W / 49.20000°N 122.08333°W / 49.20000; -122.08333 (Lakahahmen Indian Reserve 11)[21][22] It is the most populated of the reserves.[23] A 2016 census shows a slight decline in the number of residents to 177, 31% of which had North American Aboriginal origins.[13] The mother tongue of 170 individuals was English and of zero to five, French and five to ten, Mohawk.[13][14]
Three of these reserves are residential, two are cemeteries, and the others are variously under Certificates of Possession by band members, leased out for agriculture, or set aside for economic development.[32][33]
In 2021, 60 ha of government land adjacent to Fraser River Heritage Park and the Pekw’xe:yles Indian Reserve, the former site of St. Mary's Indian Residential School, was transferred to the Leq’á:mel, Matsqui (Mathexwi) and Sumas (Semá:th) First Nations Society.[34][35] Not being reserve land, the property remains under provincial and local government laws.[34] Most of it was leased back to the government for use as a park and recreational area.[34][35] The property also contains pre-contact archaeological sites.[34]
