Leq' a: mel First Nation

The Leq' a: mel First Nation, formerly known as the Lakahahmen First Nation, is a First Nations band government whose community and offices are located in the area near Deroche, British Columbia, Canada, about 12 kilometres east of the District of Mission. They are a member government of the Sto:lo Nation tribal council, which is one of two tribal councils of the Sto:lo (though many bands are independent of either).

Population

The band has an approximate population of 420.

Indian Reserves

Indian Reserves under the administration of the First Nation are:

• Aylechootlook Indian Reserve No. 5, at the confluence of the Sumas River and Vedder Canal, 18.70 ha.
• Holachten Indian Reserve No. 8, on the right (north) bank of Nicomen Slough of the Fraser River, 102.10 ha.
• Lackaway Indian Reserve No. 2, on the left (south) bank of the Fraser River at the mouth of Wilson Slough, 15.80 ha.
• Lakahahmen Indian Reserve No. 11, on the right (north) bank of Nicomen Slough at the confluence of Deroche Creek and the Fraser River, 35.40 ha.
• Lakway Cemetery Indian Reserve No. 3, on the left (south) bank of the Fraser River, 1/2 mile east of the mouth of Wilson Slough, 4 ha.
• Papekwatchin Indian Reserve No. 4, on the south shore of Nicomen Island on the Fraser River, 95.10 ha.
• Pekw'Xe:yles (Peckquaylis), on the site of the former St. Mary's Indian Residential School, between downtown Mission and Hatzic, 10.30 ha. Shared between 21 bands.
• Skweahm Indian Reserve No. 10, on the left (south) bank of Nicomen Slough, one mile south of Deroche CPR Station, 69.40 ha.
• Sumas Cemetery Indian Reserve No. 12, on the left bank of the Fraser River, near the mouth of the Sumas River, 2.50 ha.
• Yaalstrick Indian Reserve No. 1, on Yaalstrick Island in the Fraser River, 2 miles southeast of the Deroche CPR station, 114.90 ha.
• Zaitscullachan Indian Reserve No. 9, on the right bank of Zaits-Cullachan Slough of the Fraser River, 22.50 ha.

Three of these reserves are residential, two are cemeteries, and the others are variously under Certificates of Possession by band members, leased out for agriculture, or set aside for economic development.