Sumas First Nation, Abbotsford, BC

The Sema:th people were known as the fierce wolf people and were a part of the larger St?:lo Nation. Sema:th lake and waterways formed an integral part of our community and our traditional way of life. The Traditional names for our water ways are: St?telo or Sumas River, translating to “little Creek”, SeÍ:tslehoq' or Marshall Lonzo Creek, translating to “Sand Drifting; ” and Q’élem or Saar Creek, translating to “came” or “rest”. Our lands were central to the Coast Salish territory; and our families moved freely amongst our villages to gather food and practice ceremony. Our traditional lands include Sumas Mountain, Sema:th lake and drainage of the Stat'lo' (streams) which lead into it . It extended south across the (present day) border, and northward taking in the St?:lo ( Fraser) bank at Sumas Mountain, and crossed the river into the Coastal Mountains.