The Sunshine Coast
Sechelt
shishahl Nation
The shishalh Nation has lived in this region since time immemorial, creating a rich culture celebrated for a deep connection to place and understanding of the coastal landscape. shishahl stone tool artifacts found on the present-day Sunshine Coast date upwards of 10,000 years before present and represent a continuous occupation of this area. Their territory is considered unceded, meaning that no official treaty was ever signed allowing for the transfer of their lands to the federal or provincial governments.
Preceding the colonization of their traditional territories by European settlers, small pox ravaged the shishahl Nation close to the point of extinguishment. The disease was brought to the continent by settlers in various waves from the 1600s - 1800s. As recognized in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, residential schools across Canada were created "for the purpose of separating Aboriginal children from their families, in order to minimize and weaken family ties and cultural linkages, and to indoctrinate children into a new culture." The Sechelt Indian Residential School operated in Sechelt from 1904-1975 and played a significant role in the assimilation efforts locally. The long-lasting effects of colonialism are still felt today by all First Nations across Canada., including the shishahl Nation.
The shishahl Nation became the first self-governing First Nation in Canada in 1986. the shishahl Nation (Sechelt Nation) have lived in this region since time immemorial. Despite the unimaginable cultural trauma experienced by the First Nations through colonization, shíshálh people continue to thrive in their traditional territories, demonstrating a great resilience and generosity of spirit.
Learn more: Sechelt Nation website and Tems Swiya Museum
The shishalh Nation has lived in this region since time immemorial, creating a rich culture celebrated for a deep connection to place and understanding of the coastal landscape. shishahl stone tool artifacts found on the present-day Sunshine Coast date upwards of 10,000 years before present and represent a continuous occupation of this area. Their territory is considered unceded, meaning that no official treaty was ever signed allowing for the transfer of their lands to the federal or provincial governments.
Preceding the colonization of their traditional territories by European settlers, small pox ravaged the shishahl Nation close to the point of extinguishment. The disease was brought to the continent by settlers in various waves from the 1600s - 1800s. As recognized in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, residential schools across Canada were created "for the purpose of separating Aboriginal children from their families, in order to minimize and weaken family ties and cultural linkages, and to indoctrinate children into a new culture." The Sechelt Indian Residential School operated in Sechelt from 1904-1975 and played a significant role in the assimilation efforts locally. The long-lasting effects of colonialism are still felt today by all First Nations across Canada., including the shishahl Nation.
The shishahl Nation became the first self-governing First Nation in Canada in 1986. the shishahl Nation (Sechelt Nation) have lived in this region since time immemorial. Despite the unimaginable cultural trauma experienced by the First Nations through colonization, shíshálh people continue to thrive in their traditional territories, demonstrating a great resilience and generosity of spirit.
Learn more: Sechelt Nation website and Tems Swiya Museum
Early Settlers
In 1875 the first legal survey of today's Sechelt, District Lots 303 and 304, was conducted by Captain William S. Jemmett; although itinerant fishermen, loggers and prospectors had fished the waters, logged the trees and combed the hills for minerals prior to this date. Sapper John Scales, a member of the Royal Engineers, had applied for his 150-acre free military grant in 1869 located on present day District Lot 303 - the southern most part of today's Sechelt. It wasn't until 1891 that he actually received the grant plus an additional 110 acres, today's District Lot 304 the northerly part of Sechelt, for which he paid $110.00. Shortly after receiving legal title to these lands he sold them to the Honourable Hugh Nelson, fourth Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, whose widow in turn sold them to recent English immigrants Alfred Whitaker and his son Herbert in 1895.
Thomas john Cook, also from England, his wife Sarah and infant daughter Ada were the first Europeans to settle permanently in Sechelt in 1894. He was the first Justice of the peace, helped open the first school, donated part of his land for the building of St. Hilda's Anglican Church and cemetery and generally helped his pioneer neighbours and the Sechelt First Nation people. Descendants of the Cook family still live on the Sunshine Coast.
In 1875 the first legal survey of today's Sechelt, District Lots 303 and 304, was conducted by Captain William S. Jemmett; although itinerant fishermen, loggers and prospectors had fished the waters, logged the trees and combed the hills for minerals prior to this date. Sapper John Scales, a member of the Royal Engineers, had applied for his 150-acre free military grant in 1869 located on present day District Lot 303 - the southern most part of today's Sechelt. It wasn't until 1891 that he actually received the grant plus an additional 110 acres, today's District Lot 304 the northerly part of Sechelt, for which he paid $110.00. Shortly after receiving legal title to these lands he sold them to the Honourable Hugh Nelson, fourth Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, whose widow in turn sold them to recent English immigrants Alfred Whitaker and his son Herbert in 1895.
Thomas john Cook, also from England, his wife Sarah and infant daughter Ada were the first Europeans to settle permanently in Sechelt in 1894. He was the first Justice of the peace, helped open the first school, donated part of his land for the building of St. Hilda's Anglican Church and cemetery and generally helped his pioneer neighbours and the Sechelt First Nation people. Descendants of the Cook family still live on the Sunshine Coast.
The Whitaker Family
As early as 1892 Herbert Whitaker and his father Alfred had seen the potential for Sechelt as a resort and a resource for lumber and fish. After Alfred and Herbert acquired what is today's Sechelt Herbert built two hotels, a series of stores, two wharves, one at Trail Bay the other on Porpoise Bay in Sechelt Inlet, and a group of revenue cottages. He also owned two sawmills, five logging camps and a steamship company, all in the space of twenty years. One of his revenue cottages still stands on Sechelt's Boulevard. His brothers were also involved in the development of the Sunshine Coast at Davis Bay and Gibsons.
As access to Sechelt and the Sunshine Coast was by water, Herbert Whitaker started the Sechelt Steamship Company to bring tourists to his hotels and cottages, supplies to his stores and workers to his logging operations. Other pioneer settlers came either to work for Herbert or to establish their own farms, logging or fishing businesses and stores. many of their descendants continue to live on the Sunshine Coast.
As early as 1892 Herbert Whitaker and his father Alfred had seen the potential for Sechelt as a resort and a resource for lumber and fish. After Alfred and Herbert acquired what is today's Sechelt Herbert built two hotels, a series of stores, two wharves, one at Trail Bay the other on Porpoise Bay in Sechelt Inlet, and a group of revenue cottages. He also owned two sawmills, five logging camps and a steamship company, all in the space of twenty years. One of his revenue cottages still stands on Sechelt's Boulevard. His brothers were also involved in the development of the Sunshine Coast at Davis Bay and Gibsons.
As access to Sechelt and the Sunshine Coast was by water, Herbert Whitaker started the Sechelt Steamship Company to bring tourists to his hotels and cottages, supplies to his stores and workers to his logging operations. Other pioneer settlers came either to work for Herbert or to establish their own farms, logging or fishing businesses and stores. many of their descendants continue to live on the Sunshine Coast.
The Union Steamship Company
The Union Steamship Company had been servicing British Columbia's coastal communities from Vancouver since 1890 and after Herbert's death it acquired his Sechelt properties in 1926.It had already purchased the All Red Line's ships and tourist resort at Selma Park just east of Sechelt in 1917. Large parties of tourists came by Union steamships for day trips to Sechelt and Selma Park or to spend the summer months in its camp grounds, cottages and hotels, until in 1944 its Selma Park properties were sold. In 1956 its Sechelt holdings were relinquished and the Village of Sechelt was incorporated to be run by its residents.
The Union Steamship Company had been servicing British Columbia's coastal communities from Vancouver since 1890 and after Herbert's death it acquired his Sechelt properties in 1926.It had already purchased the All Red Line's ships and tourist resort at Selma Park just east of Sechelt in 1917. Large parties of tourists came by Union steamships for day trips to Sechelt and Selma Park or to spend the summer months in its camp grounds, cottages and hotels, until in 1944 its Selma Park properties were sold. In 1956 its Sechelt holdings were relinquished and the Village of Sechelt was incorporated to be run by its residents.
Later Development
Highway 101 was completed in 1952 linking the ferry terminal in Langdale to the ferry terminal in earl's Cove. The improved ferry system has gradually brought more settlers to the Sunshine Coast and Sechelt has become a retirement centre, a commuter community and continues to attract a growing number of artists of all disciplines.
Through the years Sechelt has gradually built up a variety of stores, businesses, restaurants, education facilities, medical, dental and hospital care.
Logging and fishing may have declined in importance in the economy of the Sunshine coast but new industries take their place, such as the sand and gravel pit outside Sechelt and its barge terminus in Trail bay which moves the materials from the pit to the USA, Vancouver and other destinations. The holiday atmosphere of Sechelt continues to this day: cottages, cabins, lodges, motels and campgrounds are run by Sechelt residents and attract a growing number of tourists each year. many craft fairs, festivals, camps, music, motor and sports events are held each summer: one of the most successful being the Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts attracting authors and visitors from across Canada. It is held in the historic Rockwood Lodge, an important heritage landmark in Sechelt. Sechelt continues to be a vibrant community with organizations catering to everyone's needs, tertiary education at the university level has recently been added and art, music, literature and drama continue to flourish.
Highway 101 was completed in 1952 linking the ferry terminal in Langdale to the ferry terminal in earl's Cove. The improved ferry system has gradually brought more settlers to the Sunshine Coast and Sechelt has become a retirement centre, a commuter community and continues to attract a growing number of artists of all disciplines.
Through the years Sechelt has gradually built up a variety of stores, businesses, restaurants, education facilities, medical, dental and hospital care.
Logging and fishing may have declined in importance in the economy of the Sunshine coast but new industries take their place, such as the sand and gravel pit outside Sechelt and its barge terminus in Trail bay which moves the materials from the pit to the USA, Vancouver and other destinations. The holiday atmosphere of Sechelt continues to this day: cottages, cabins, lodges, motels and campgrounds are run by Sechelt residents and attract a growing number of tourists each year. many craft fairs, festivals, camps, music, motor and sports events are held each summer: one of the most successful being the Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts attracting authors and visitors from across Canada. It is held in the historic Rockwood Lodge, an important heritage landmark in Sechelt. Sechelt continues to be a vibrant community with organizations catering to everyone's needs, tertiary education at the university level has recently been added and art, music, literature and drama continue to flourish.
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Information compiled by Sunshine Coast Museum & Archives, and Ann Watson, Sechelt Archives
References:
Dawe, Helen: Helen Dawe's Sechelt, Harbour Publishing, Madeira Park, 1990
Keller, Betty; Leslie, Rosella: Bright Seas, Pioneer Spirits, Horsdal & Schubart, 1996.
The Helen Dawe Collection in the Sechelt Community Archives.
Information compiled by Sunshine Coast Museum & Archives, and Ann Watson, Sechelt Archives
References:
Dawe, Helen: Helen Dawe's Sechelt, Harbour Publishing, Madeira Park, 1990
Keller, Betty; Leslie, Rosella: Bright Seas, Pioneer Spirits, Horsdal & Schubart, 1996.
The Helen Dawe Collection in the Sechelt Community Archives.
