Kwantlen First Nation

Kwantlen First Nation is a First Nations band government in British Columbia, Canada, located primarily in Fort Langley. The Kwantlen traditionally speak the Downriver dialect of Halkomelem, one of the Salishan family of languages and are a member of the Sto:lo Tribal Council but generally operate as an independent nation.

Prior to European contact, the Kwantlen were one of the most populous aboriginal groups of the Lower Fraser. Kwantlen occupied many significant village sites throughout their territory, including settlements in current day New Westminster, Surrey, Langley, Maple Ridge, and Mission. According to anthropologist Charles Hill-Tout, the main village of the Kwantlen people was "Sqaiametl" in what is now known as New Westminster. Directly across the River on the Surrey side was the Summer fishing village known as Kikait. Another key area of Kwantlen territory is the Stave River valley that was and continues to be important for hunting, trapping, cedar bark stripping, fishing, and other cultural uses. After European contact, the Kwantlen moved their main settlement upriver from New Westminster when Fort Langley was established in the 19th century, to control and maintain a trading advantage with the HBC in Fort Langley.

Throughout the 1800s and 1900s, the Kwantlen people were given the name "Langley Indian Band" by the Federal Government Department of Indian Affairs. In June 1994, Chief Marilyn Gabriel reclaimed the traditional name of Kwantlen for her people and community which was marked by a traditional ceremony. Kwantlen Polytechnic University was granted permission to use the Kwantlen Name by the late Grand Chief Joe Gabriel. The name "Kwantlen" means "Tireless Runner" in Halkomelem language.