British Columbia First Nations

Casinos
Play the First Nations casinos, bingo halls, and gaming facilities.

Events
Visit British Columbia powwows, festivals, concerts, rodeos, and other celebrations.

Places to Visit
Enjoy British Columbia's cultural and heritage centers, museums, historical sites, archaeology sites, libraries, national parks and monuments.

First Nations
Contact information for the First Nations and Bands of British Columbia.

Aboriginal people lived in rich and complex societies in British Columbia for thousands of years before the first white settlers arrived. Because of the diversity of the Pacific coast - mild to cold climate, seashore to mountains - the First Nations who settled in this area developed many different cultures and languages.

The coastal inhabitants were experts at wood sculpture, as their totem poles attest even today. They were also famous for their skill and courage in whaling. As for their social system, it was marked by occasions such as the "potlatch" - a ceremony in which important gifts were given to guests - and by theatrical displays.

British Columbia joined the Confederation in 1871

The Aboriginal population of British Columbia, which began to decline with the arrival of the first European settlers, is enjoying new strength. The population is growing in numbers (more than 139 000 people in 1996) and has developed strong Aboriginal organizations. This new energy coincides with a renaissance in Aboriginal cultural and artistic expression.