The shíshálh Nation and Sechelt
The town of Sechelt lies on the traditional territory of the shíshálh Nation, which has never been ceded. The Nation writes its name shíshálh, with a lower-case s, and its language is she shashishalhem. For the place we call Sechelt, the Nation uses the name ch’atlich.
This is a short introduction for visitors. It covers names, the legal background of self-government and the one museum that tells local history. To see the water that shaped life here, a good starting point is a paddle on the inlet: see Sechelt Inlet kayak tours and rentals.
Place names on the Sunshine Coast
The Nation has its own names for places along this coast. Use each one for the place it belongs to.
| Place | Name used by the Nation |
|---|---|
| Sechelt | ch’atlich |
| Pender Harbour | ḵalpilin |
| Madeira Park | salalus |
| Halfmoon Bay | xwilkway |
| Jervis Inlet | lekw’emin |
Do not swap these names for one another. Each belongs to one place. Visitors who plan a day at Pender Harbour will find more on our Pender Harbour and Egmont page.
Tours and day trips around Sechelt
Boat trips, kayak outings and day tours on the water and in the forests of the Sunshine Coast, with live prices and availability.
Self-government and the history of Sechelt
A federal act of 1986, the shíshálh Nation Self-Government Act, confirms the Nation's self-government. It received Royal Assent on 17 June 1986. The current consolidated version carries the name shíshálh Nation. The act is a legal milestone. It is not the beginning of the Nation or of its culture, which are far older.
You may see the older name Sechelt Indian Band in historical texts. It belongs to that period and is not the name the Nation uses today.
Two different bodies
Two separate bodies share the area, and they are easy to confuse. The District of Sechelt is the municipality. The shíshálh Nation Government District is a separate body defined by the federal act. When you read a notice or a rule, check which of them it comes from.
Visiting the tems swiya Museum
The tems swiya Museum is at 5555 Sunshine Coast Highway, next to Raven’s Cry Theatre. It is open Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 16:00 and closed on Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays. The collection includes cedar baskets and stone tools.
Check the current admission and any guided options with the museum before you go, because they can change. The weekday hours leave the rest of the day free for a walk down to the water or a meal in the village. Our page on things to do in Sechelt has ideas for the rest of the day.
Community Archives and local history
Two places cover local history: the tems swiya Museum and the Community Archives. The museum shows objects such as cedar baskets and stone tools. The archives cover the story of the community more widely.
Names you meet on the road
The place names in the table above turn up as you travel. Halfmoon Bay, xwilkway in the Nation’s language, is the area of the Smuggler Cove trail, which starts on Brooks Road off Highway 101, between Secret Cove and Halfmoon Bay. Pender Harbour and Madeira Park lie on the way to Egmont. Jervis Inlet leads toward Princess Louisa Inlet. Reading the names beside the English ones is a simple way to see how much the map has layers. Details on those places are on our pages for Smuggler Cove and Halfmoon Bay and Princess Louisa Inlet.
Visiting with respect
- Use the names as the Nation writes them, including the lower-case s in shíshálh and the accents.
- Treat the museum as a cultural institution. Follow the guidance of the staff.
- Plan around the opening hours. The museum is closed at weekends and on statutory holidays.
- Learn before you go. The Nation’s history is told by the Nation. This page is a starting point only.
shíshálh Nation: frequently asked questions
How do you write shíshálh Nation?
With a lower-case s and the accents: shíshálh. The language is she shashishalhem, and the Nation’s name for Sechelt is ch’atlich.
Is Sechelt on shíshálh territory?
Yes. The District of Sechelt lies on the traditional territory of the shíshálh Nation, which has not been ceded.
What are the opening hours of the tems swiya Museum?
Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 16:00. It is closed on Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays. The address is 5555 Sunshine Coast Highway, next to Raven’s Cry Theatre.
Is the District of Sechelt the same as the shíshálh Nation?
No. The District of Sechelt is a municipality. The shíshálh Nation Government District is a separate body defined by a federal act.
What does the 1986 act mean?
The shíshálh Nation Self-Government Act of 1986 confirms the Nation’s self-government. It is a legal milestone and not the start of the Nation’s history.
Is this an official site of the shíshálh Nation?
No. This is an independent guide. It is not run by the shíshálh Nation, the District of Sechelt, the museum or any tour operator.