səmiq̓ʷəʔelə (Riverview)

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• History of Riverview
• Renaming of Riverview and Launch of Master Planning
• Language Guidelines for səmiq̓ʷəʔelə (Riverview)
• Culture and Language at səmiq̓ʷəʔelə
• Archaeology and Heritage at səmiq̓ʷəʔelə
  

Dozens of hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ place names and archaeological sites dot the səmiq̓ʷəʔelə/Riverview landscape and surrounding areas and in the words of the Elders, “carry the history” of kʷikʷəƛ̓əm people, ancestors, and culture. As a result, Riverview holds a high archaeological interest for the Nation as there have been many artifacts found there that link the lands to our people’s history.

The past century of development at Riverview represents a history of loss for kʷikʷəƛ̓əm—the loss of traditional lands, the decline of valued local natural resources, the alteration of culturally and spiritually important places and landscapes and the loss of a voice in land management and stewardship decisions.

As we look to the future, the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation looking forward to reconnecting with səmiq̓ʷəʔelə (Riverview) and being an equal partner in making decisions regarding the future development of these lands to benefit our nation and people.

History of Riverview

Renaming of Riverview and Launch of Master Planning

On March 10, 2021, the Province of BC and kʷikʷəƛ̓əm made a joint announcement on the official renaming of Riverview to səmiq̓ʷəʔelə and the launch of the Master Planning Process for the redevelopment of these Lands.

“The renaming of Riverview to səmiq̓ʷəʔelə is very significant to our nation’s overall goal of reclaiming and revitalizing our culture and traditional language. The kʷikʷəƛ̓əm people and Nation look forward to reconnecting with these lands – lands which are on our core, ancestral and unceded territory – by being a meaningful partner with BC Housing in the master planning process and by sharing with the rest of the public our rich history and culture.” — Chief Ed Hall

The name səmiq̓ʷəʔelə (pronounced Suh-mEE-kwuh EL-uh) means “Place of the Great Blue Heron.” The name was given by the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm People, based on memories and accounts of the Riverview slopes extending to before settler arrival. This name reflects the land’s use as heron roosting grounds and its proximity to what was then the floodplain of the Coquitlam River. The hən̓q̓əmin̓əm name is not ancestral to the lands but was given instead as an act of reclamation and cultural revitalization, as part of an assertion of kʷikʷəƛ̓əm’s rights and title and connection to the Lands.

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Master Planning

kʷikʷəƛ̓əm Nation and BC Housing launched the first public engagement session for the Master Planning Process on March 30, 2021. The aim of the Master planning Process is to build upon what was learned during the Visioning Process released in 2015.

The Master Planning Process will take place over multiple years and will include engagement with the public, other levels of government, industry and many other stakeholders to get their feedback on how they would like to see these lands developed.

At the same time, kʷikʷəƛ̓əm government will also conduct an extensive community engagement with kʷikʷəƛ̓əm m̀əlstéyəxw (our members). The feedback from both engagements will be incorporated into the final master plan concept for səmiq̓ʷəʔelə.

To learn about upcoming Engagement Sessions with our members, click here.

To learn more about public engagement sessions and the Master Planning Process, visit BC Housing’s səmiq̓wəʔelə website.

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Language Guidelines for səmiq̓ʷəʔelə (Riverview)

BC Housing and the Kwikwetlem First Nation have developed some guidelines to ensure the new name of səmiq̓ʷəʔelə is used now in place of Riverview. Although your keyboard may not accommodate the special characters that are used in the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓’s language, it is usually quite easy to copy and paste these words into your word document. If you find that some fonts and programs won’t render the superscript “w” properly, you can correct his problem by highlighting the “w,” and press [Ctrl, Shift, +] which will turn the "w" into a superscript. We encourage people to use the correct spelling for səmiq̓ʷəʔelə wherever possible. Keyboard Extension We have provided a simple-to-install keyboard extension for the characters used in the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ language. Those who need to type səmiq̓ʷəʔelə or other hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ words on a regular basis, or who have difficulty in copying and pasting the words, may want to download and install the keyboard.

• Install the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ keyboard extension here.
• Get help with the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ keyboard extension here.

Anglicized Spelling of səmiq̓ʷəʔelə

In some very limited circumstances, an anglicized version for səmiq̓ʷəʔelə may need to be used. The most common examples would be in a website URL, programs using a database or platforms using unsupported fonts.

It is important to us that səmiq̓ʷəʔelə is spelt correctly. Please only use the anglicized version when there are no options to use the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ version.

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Culture and Language at səmiq̓ʷəʔelə

The kʷikʷəƛ̓əm Nation envisions a new phase of development at səmiq̓ʷəʔelə that honours and respects our culture, history and traditional hən̓q̓əmin̓əm language. By integrating essential elements of kʷikʷəƛ̓əm cultural expression, respecting Indigenous land and resource values, and revitalizing hən̓q̓əmin̓əm names, we raise our hands in respect to past generations and offer welcome to a new shared community.

There are many cultural elements currently on display at səmiq̓ʷəʔelə as well as hardscape design elements around the north end of the site. There is also English and hən̓q̓əmin̓əm signage and information markers throughout the site. As the development of the səmiq̓ʷəʔelə progresses, we expect to see more of our culture and language incorporated and a set of design guidelines has been created to provide guidance to others.

BC Housing and the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation have also developed some simple language guidelines to ensure the new name of səmiq̓ʷəʔelə is used in place of Riverview.

View Language Guidelines

θəqiʔ ɫəwʔənəq leləm’ (Red Fish Healing Centre)

This Centre was named to recognize the Nation’s relationship with the salmon that used to thrive in the Coquitlam River. The Red Fish Healing Centre will be a treatment option for people with complex mental health and/or substance use needs.

Utility Boxes

As part of a new 25-kilometer electrical distribution system upgrade, each of these electrical boxes were wrapped in a unique Coast Salish design. This project involved two kʷikʷəƛ̓əm youth who helped chose the final art designs. For more information, read our news article.

həy̓χʷət kʷθə šxʷhəliʔ leləm (Healing Spirit House)

The Healing Spirit House has 38 beds available for First Nations’ youth experiencing mental health issues by providing a welcoming and positive environment to allow them to heal. kʷikʷəƛ̓əm dedicated an ocean canoe at the Healing Spirit House on Tuesday, January 29, 2019. The hand-carved ocean-going canoe is installed permanently in the facility’s gymnasium as a symbol of reconciliation with the Province.

The Power of the Flying Squirrel Mural, on display in their gymnasium, is another example of how our culture is being shared with others at səmiq̓ʷəʔelə. This story was shared by our members, Bernie Cunningham, Glen Joe, and Mel Bailey.

View Our Culture and Language Page

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Archaeology and Heritage at səmiq̓ʷəʔelə

səmiq̓ʷəʔelə contains known archaeological sites and much of the property hold high potential for undocumented sites. At present there are 12 archaeological sites spread out on, or near, səmiq̓ʷəʔelə. Over the past several years, numerous archaeological sites and dozens of artifacts now provide material evidence of kʷikʷəƛ̓əm peoples’ memories of this land.

kʷikʷəƛ̓əm holds and administers the Kwikwetlem First Nation Heritage Policy (KFNHP) which stipulates the rights of the Nation to approve professional archaeologists to apply for permits and work plans under the HCA for any works within the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm territory. In addition, archaeological sites in British Columbia are protected under the Heritage Conservation ACT (HCA).

Brown & Oakes Archaeology (B & OA) is the Nation’s preferred archaeologist for works within the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm traditional territory and is the sole archaeologist for səmiq̓ʷəʔelə. B & OA worked with kʷikʷəƛ̓əm to establish an Archaeological Protocol specific to səmiq̓ʷəʔelə which BC Housing implements to ensure that all users, visitors and contractors on səmiq̓ʷəʔelə are aware of the requirements set out by the HCA and KFNHP as it relates to ground disturbances on the Lands.

B & OA also implements the Kwikwetlem Heritage Certification Program. This orientation is to be completed annually for anyone who works on and within səmiq̓ʷəʔelə and provides an overview and awareness of the traditional territory which they are present and of archaeology requirements which are defined by the Nation.

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For more information, contact:

Jill Stauber, səmiq̓wəʔelə/Riverview Lands Project Lead
Email: jill@kwikwetlem.com
Phone: (604) 540-0680 ext. 113