The Vancouver Division of Family Practice and our membership and partners acknowledge that the work we do occurs on the traditional and unceded territories of the Coast Salish Nations of Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh and Squamish. We are very pleased that these host Nations who each operate their own primary care centers, are our valued partners.

The Musqueam (pronounced Mus-kwee-um) traditional territory includes what is now Vancouver and surrounding areas. Today, parts of Musqueam’s traditional territory are called: Vancouver, North Vancouver, South Vancouver, Burrard Inlet, New Westminster, Burnaby, and Richmond.7  The name xwm θkw y’ m (Musqueam) means “People of the River Grass.” Today, the Musqueam have three reserves in Metro Vancouver. This is a very small portion of their traditional territory.

Tsleil-Waututh (pronounced Slay-wah-tuth) people’s traditional territory reaches from the Fraser River in the south to Mamquam Lake in the north. Their oral history and archaeological evidence shows that they have lived in the lands and waters of their traditional territory surrounding the Burrard Inlet for thousands of years. Tsleil-Waututh means People of the Inlet. They are sometimes called the “Children of the Takaya” or “Children of the Wolf”.

The Squamish Nation (pronounced Skwa-mish) traditional territory covers present day Metro Vancouver, Gibson’s Landing and the Squamish River watershed. The Squamish Nation has occupied and governed their territory since beyond recorded history. The Squamish People’s traditional language is Skwxwú7mesh Snichim. The Skwxwú7mesh Snichim, although in danger of being lost, is still an important part of the Squamish culture. The Squamish Nation has 24 reserves, and four of these are in Metro Vancouver and others extend up the coast.

The three Nations have signed agreements honoring their shared territory and their role as host Nations in Metro Vancouver.