Welcome to Ch’íyáqtel
Where Culture and Tradition Flow Through Community in Chilliwack, BC
éy swáyel siyá:ye —
That’s “hello friend” in Halq'eméylem
For many years we've been known by our English name, Tzeachten First Nation. As a contribution to preserving, revitalizing, and strengthening Indigenous histories, languages, and cultures, we're returning to our original ancestral name, Ch’íyáqtel.
Rooted in resourcefulness, perseverance, and stewardship, we’re invested in contributing to economic growth through collaborative partnerships with the city of Chilliwack and the BC government while respecting and honouring the needs of the Ch’íyáqtel people. Our established businesses, rental facilities, and housing developments have significantly benefited our members and the wider Chilliwack and Sardis community. We remain committed to our heritage, honouring and preserving the past while evolving toward a thriving, prosperous future.
We are Ch’íyáqtel
Originally the Ch-ihil-kway-uhk Tribe and affiliated with the Stó꞉lō Nation, Ch’íyáqtel means “the place of the fish weir”. There are currently 728 members, and Halq'eméylem is our native language. Our ancestors named us “keepers of traditional territories” entrusting us to protect the valuable land that runs through the neighbourhood of Sardis adjacent to the Chilliwack/Vedder River.
Our enterprises
Ch’íyáqtel (Tzeachten First Nation) owns the Vedder Crossing Plaza located at Vedder and Promontory. Bear Image Productions and the Vedder Shell gas station are just a couple examples of other viable businesses operated on Ch’íyáqtel land. Ch’íyáqtel is also home to a number of residential developments, including Halcyon Meadows, Stoney Creek, Avonlea, Promontory Lake Estates, Ensley Estates, Englewood Village, Malloway Village, Base 10, The Station Apartments, Skynest, Iron Horse, Amberwood, AndMar Developments, Selomas Mobile Home Park, Maple Meadows Mobile Home Park, Steetaws and River Rock.
Creating affordable housing
Through a partnership with the provincial government and BC Housing, Ch’íyáqtel (Tzeachten First Nation) built a 23 unit rental complex enabling more members to return home to be close to family and friends. This is the first project of this size, and allows us to build and expand on Ch’íyáqtel’s long-term plan to provide better access to safe and affordable housing for the membership community.
Ch’íyáqtel sports complex
Our state-of-the-art Sports Complex is available for the entire city of Chilliwack to use and enjoy. Located on Matheson Road, Ch’íyáqtel’s (Tzeachten First Nation's) sports field has two multi-purpose fields available for individuals, teams, and leagues to rent for soccer, baseball, children’s events, and birthday parties.
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Chilliwack First Nation gains 50-acre land
The Ch’iyáqtel (Tzeachten First Nation) in Chilliwack has added 50 acres of ancestral land to its reserve, marking a significant milestone in reclaiming traditional territory. Chief Derek Epp emphasized the importance of this acquisition in addressing historical injustices, securing sustainable growth, and planning for future infrastructure, housing, and public spaces. The Nation is working with the federal government and the City of Chilliwack to develop a master plan for the land, focusing on community needs and long-term growth.
A pathway to indigenous autonomy
Dr. Eric Crampton highlights the success of Ch’íyáqtel (Tzeachten) First Nation in achieving economic self-determination through governance of their own land. Under Chief Derek Epp, the community transitioned from federal dependency to self-sufficiency by leveraging tax, zoning, and regulatory authority to fund infrastructure, restore traditional practices, and attract residents. Their autonomy serves as a model for addressing housing crises and advancing Māori freehold land development in New Zealand, showcasing how self-governance fosters innovation and community growth.
Building Food Security & Community Resilience
In this video, we explore the incredible progress of Tzeachten Nation’s Sustainable Food Security Initiative, a project made possible by the Indigenous Food Security and Sovereignty (IFS) Grant. Located in Chilliwack at Tzeachten's first farm, this initiative is all about ensuring year-round access to fresh, organic food for community members—picked by the community, for the community.
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