The Coast Salish peoples of Canada have a long history of traditionally occupying some of the best inland Coastal areas of British Columbia. Historically they are a predominantly fishing and sea hunting population who harbored a deep understanding between cultural and environmental exchange.



Traditionally a culture of exchange existed amongst peoples identified as Coast Salish where exchange between affinals loosely translated in English as “father-in-law”, “mother-in-law”, “daughter-in-law”, ‘brother-in-law” and “sister-in-law” through marriage would result in an exchange of wealth. This exchange was surrounded around food resources. This exchange was an important part in the native-socio economic system, and showed an important link in the relationship between food, wealth and high status (Suttles, 1960).

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Contemporary Salish culture has undergone a form of disenfranchisement due to the repression and discouragement of ceremonial life, indigenous belief system and native languages (Jilek, 1981). There has been a recent taking back and redefining of Salish culture, where tradition is being infused with modernity and a reclaiming of identity.