Sumas First Nation

Sumas First Nation Semá:th - Sumas First Nation, is located in Abbotsford, BC. The Semá:th people are known as the fierce wolf people and are a part of the larger Stό:lō Nation.

The Semá:th people were known as the fierce wolf people and were a part of the larger Stό:lō Nation. Semá:th lake and waterways formed an integral part of our community and our traditional way of life. The Traditional names for our water ways are: Stόtelō or Sumas River, translating to “little Creek”, SeÍ:tslehōq' or Marshall Lonzo Creek, translating to “Sand Drifting;” and Q’élem or Saar Creek,

translating to “came” or “rest”. Our lands were central to the Coast Salish territory; and our families moved freely amongst our villages to gather food and practice ceremony. Our traditional lands include Sumas Mountain, Sema:th lake and drainage of the Stat′lo′ (streams) which lead into it. It extended south across the (present day) border, and northward taking in the Stό:lō ( Fraser) bank at Sumas Mountain, and crossed the river into the Coastal Mountains. There were 7 villages that were part of Sema:th, and our lands encompassed over 20,000 acres. The main upper Sema:th village of Kw’ekw’e’Í:qk was located at our present-day reserve site, which is only fraction of our traditional territory. Our neighbours called this area “Kilgard,” which name refers to a kiln brickwork factory that was operating near one of our present administration offices. To this day, many people still refer to our community by this name.

02/04/2026

Representing in Ottawa! 🧡🪶

We're hiring: Healing Homes Program Manager ⚠️ View the full job posting HERE: https://sumasfirstnation.com/job-opportun...
01/15/2026

We're hiring: Healing Homes Program Manager

⚠️ View the full job posting HERE: https://sumasfirstnation.com/job-opportunity/healing-homes-program-manager/

Interested in the role? Here's what we're looking for:

✔️ A University degree in Public Health, Social Work, Clinical Psychology, Psychiatric Nursing or a closely related behavioural science field;
✔️ 3 to 5 years’ relevant, recent, and significant experience in program management with First Nation communities;
✔️ Experience working with BC First Nations/Indigenous people at a community level;
✔️ Experience supporting traditional ceremonies and cultural practices, and an understanding of the impacts of the residential school system and intergenerational trauma

If this sounds like you, we encourage you to apply! We are also open to applicants who demonstrate an acceptable combination of education, training, and professional experience.

Join a passionate team of individuals dedicated to serving the Sumas First Nation community within a department that acts as a gateway to healing, connection, and community well-being.

We're hiring: Health & Wellness Manager 🍃⚠️ View the full job posting HERE: https://sumasfirstnation.com/job-opportunity...
01/09/2026

We're hiring: Health & Wellness Manager 🍃

⚠️ View the full job posting HERE: https://sumasfirstnation.com/job-opportunity/health-manager/

Interested in the role? Here's what we're looking for:

✔️ Broad range of recent Health and or social work experience or equivalent;
✔️ Educated to a master’s degree level (or equivalent experience), with evidence of recent professional development;
✔️ Broad range of recent Health and or social work experience or equivalent;
✔️ Well-versed in financial budgeting and management;
✔️ Familiarity with various mental and physical health treatments and ability to seek out and provide recommendations to nation members when required;
✔️ Experience working with First Nations communities and/or organizations is considered an asset
✔️ First Nations heritage is considered an asset

If this sounds like you, we encourage you to apply! We are also open to applicants who demonstrate an acceptable combination of education, training, and professional experience.

Join a committed team in a role that champions culturally grounded care and supports pathways to healing and long-term community wellness.

⚠️ Please be advised that Sumas First Nation is closely monitoring the ongoing flood situation. Updates are being provid...
12/12/2025

⚠️ Please be advised that Sumas First Nation is closely monitoring the ongoing flood situation.

Updates are being provided to Sumas membership through private community channels, and management/leadership are maintaining a close watch on Provincial updates and City of Abbotsford/City of Chilliwack updates.

To see the most recent updates available, please visit our website here: https://sumasfirstnation.com/news/flood-warnings-advisories-for-southern-fraser-valley-floods/

There are also a number of resources available through the above link.

Please stay safe and continue to watch for updates. Special thanks to SFN staff who have been monitoring the situation and responding accordingly.

We’re excited to share that Semá:th has officially received our Financial Management System (FMS) Certification!This rec...
11/19/2025

We’re excited to share that Semá:th has officially received our Financial Management System (FMS) Certification!

This recognition from the First Nations Financial Management Board shows that the Nation’s financial practices meet rigorous international standards. It offers reassurance to community members, lenders, and partners that Semá:th is strongly positioned to support important community initiatives, from infrastructure and education, to health and environmental projects.

Please join us in celebrating this significant step forward as we continue to strengthen our economic future and advance our path toward greater self-governance.

Read the full press release here: https://sumasfirstnation.com/news/sumas-first-nation-achieves-financial-management-system-fms-certification/

This week we partnered with Hawk Communications App to attend the Our Children Our Way conference in beautiful Vancouver...
11/06/2025

This week we partnered with Hawk Communications App to attend the Our Children Our Way conference in beautiful Vancouver, BC! 🧡🪶

We led a breakout session on improving communications in Nations, using Sumas as a case study and describing how we’ve used the Hawk App. We talked about implementation, challenges, and most importantly how we’ve seen a jump in engagement using accessible, secure tools like the Hawk App.

Special thanks to Michelle and Bronwen with Hawk (left), Cheyenne Ned with Sumas (right), and Chantel Homme (behind the camera) for all the work done to present!

This conference offered a variety of learning opportunities and brought together bright minds from all over Canada to discuss and share ideas, solutions, and challenges around the issues of child and family development. It was an honour to witness and participate in the sessions and and to be a small part of the incredible work being done all over Canada.

11/04/2025

This summer, the Sumas Natural Resources crew (in partnership with Content With Purpose and The American Fisheries Society) documented the process of piloting our Fish Weir Program ⬇️

Over the course of the past 3 summers, the Sumas-Chilliwack River has been home to our Fish Weir Pilot Program - a structure that blends traditional knowledge with modern technologies to research and develop methods of harvesting in a ways that honours the land and the traditional fishing methods of the Semá:th.

Two longer films were developed for this series - watch them both through the link in our bio! Find the "Tomorrow's Catch Film Series" section.

We would also like to thank for graciously hosting us in their beautiful space for one of the films.

🎥 Film:
🎬 Production: and

📍 2788 Sumas Mountain Rd, Abbotsford, BC
📩 [email protected]
☎️ (604) 852-4041
🌐 sumasfirstnation.com

Happy Halloween from Sumas! 🎃 👻 Last night staff and members got together for a guided paint night and treats, hosted by...
10/31/2025

Happy Halloween from Sumas! 🎃 👻

Last night staff and members got together for a guided paint night and treats, hosted by Alana James and Terri Johnston, two of our staff.

Thank you ladies for the fun evening and our new extra-spooky paintings!

We're excited to share more coverage on the Lightning Rock Celebration from our friends at APTN. Watch now to see more i...
10/28/2025

We're excited to share more coverage on the Lightning Rock Celebration from our friends at APTN.

Watch now to see more interviews with community members and leadership, and additional footage from the celebration day.

Click to watch!

Lightning Rock has always been a sacred place for the Semá:th people. Finally, after years of legal disputes it has been returned to the Sumas First Nation. #...

Address

2788 Sumas Mountain Road
Abbotsford, BC
V3G2J2

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

+16048524045

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