The Act created a unique third order of the government in Canada, setting up the SIB as the first indigenous Band in Canada to develop its own Constitution and to take formal fee-simple ownership of their reserve lands. No longer would the SIB have to answer to the Department of Indian Affairs. They controlled their land, managed it, and provided their own services. After years of federal oversight, they had achieved self-government and independence — establishing a model for others to follow.

Some early postcards of Indian Reserve #2, the swath of land in Sechelt between Wharf Avenue on the west and Selma Park Road on the east, are shown below.

The waterfront portion of I.R. #2 along Trail Bay between Selma Park Road and Trail Avenue. Circa 1920s

Band buildings along Trail Bay east of the wharf are dominated by Our Lady of Lourdes church (built in 1907; burnt down in 1970). 1919

A very early view of Band buildings along the Trail Bay waterfront. 1917

Close-up view of the Sechelt Indian Band settlement on Trail Bay.
The residential school (built in the early 1920s; demolished in 1975) is the large building in the background on the left. 1934

Another view of the Sechelt Indian Band settlement on Trail Bay. Circa 1930s

Gary Little is an innovative real estate agent with Royal LePage Sussex in Sechelt, BC. He is well known for his use of technology to provide compelling real estate tools for the general public, notably his interactive real estate map of the Sunshine Coast, his real estate statistics service, and his real estate services for smartphone users.

This news release is located online at: http://www.GaryLittle.ca/sib25.html