Snuneymuxw First Nation

The Snuneymuxw First Nation (pronounced [snʊˈneɪməxʷ]) is currently located in and around Nanaimo on east-central Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Although the Snuneymuxw now only have a total reserve land base of 266 hectares, divided into small, separated reserves, they once occupied a wide region of south-central Vancouver Island where they lived for more than 5,000 years. Snuneymuxw Territory on the eastern coast of Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, and the Fraser River in the British Columbia was in the center of Coast Salish territory. Their language is the Hul’qumi’num language.

The Snuneymuxw First Nation is responsible for the operation of Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park.

The Manson, Wyse, Good, Seward, White, Wesley, Brown, Johnny and Thomas families are prominent in the Snuneymuxw First Nation community.

The SFN speak the Hul'q'umi'num dialect of Hul’q’umi’num’, Halq'eméylem, hən̓q̓əmin̓əm.

According to the Snuneymuxw First Nation Language Needs Assessment report of January 2009, published by the First Peoples' Heritage Language & Culture Council (FPHLCC) of a total population of 1560 (with 550 on reserve and 1010 off-reserve) there were 25 people who spoke and understood the language fluently, 11 were between the ages of 65-74, 13 were between the ages of 75-84 and one was 85 and over. There were 35 who understood and/or spoke somewhat. 4 were between the ages of 25-44, 23 were between the ages of 45-54 and 8 were between the ages of 55-64. There were 25 people learning the language. Of that group 15 were between the ages of 15-19, 2 were between the ages of 25-44, 4 were between the ages of 45-54 and 4 were between the ages of 55-64.

We have 4 very small reserves much of which are not serviced and therefore we are not able to build housing on parts of them. Culture and Language is lost due to our people being spread out and living in many places off reserve.

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