Qayqayt First Nation
The Qayqayt First Nation (qiqéyt), also known as the New Westminster Indian Band, is a band government located at New Westminster, British Columbia. The New Westminster Indian Band - Qayqayt First Nation is recognized by all levels of government, as well as the Assembly of First Nations where they hold delegate status. The Qayqayt First Nation historically spoke the Downriver Dialect of Halkomelem called hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓, a Coast Salish language. The Qayqayt First Nation is one of the smallest First Nations in Canada and the only one registered without a land base. History. The people who were permanent residents  of what is now considered New Westminster were Musqueam and Kwantlen. Throughout the 1800s Musqueam and Kwantlen are continually documented as being in at qiqéyt and t̕sic̓əl̕əs. A reserve for the “Langley Indians” (Kwantlen First Nation) and Musqueam (Musqueam I.R. #1) was established directly on top of the fishing village of qiqéyt. In 1879, the federal government allocated three reserves as general reserves for “All Coastal Indians.” These reserves were established inclusive of of the South Westminster Reserve, on the North Arm of the Fraser River and on Poplar Island. These carry the Musqueam names of yeləɬkʷə, skʷtexʷqən, and wə́q̓ʷaχən  sχʷayəməɬ. On September 4, 1913 George Roberts “of the New Westminster Band of Indians” met with commissioners of the British Columbia, Royal Commission on Indian Affairs. In his interview Roberts acknowledged Musqueam as chief of the “New Westminster” Indians and many Musqueam continued to use the site seasonally through the 1930s and 40s for fishing. Musqueam continued to live at qiqéyt into the 1930s. In 1959 this reserve was sold to pay for a water systems on Musqueam's I.R. #2. qiqéyt continues to be important to Musqueam and they continue to fish in the waters around this important village  site. In Musqueam issued their Declaration which states Musqueam’s rights and title to their unceded traditional territory and countersigned by the community at the time. qiqéyt is site #32. Kwantlen First Nation recognizes qiqeyt as a very significant part of their unceded traditional territory. Many Kwantlen families trace their direct lineage from qiqeyt Village in South Westminster (now Lehigh Hanson Concrete Batch Plant). The Aboriginal Gathering Place at the New Westminster campus of Douglas College was built in partnership with the Qayqayt First Nation. This Gathering Place contains a large mural depicting and celebrating the Band and its people . Demographics. First Nation number: 566 Number of Band Members: 12 Chief and Councillors. Chief Rhonda Larrabee Treaty Process. Qayqayt are not officially involved in the British Columbia Treaty Process