Sekani

The Sekani are an Indigenous First Nation of northern British Columbia, Canada, whose territory has encompassed the mountainous regions near the Finlay and Parsnip Rivers for millennia. The name 'Sekani' derives from their own language and means 'the people,' reflecting their identity as a distinct cultural and linguistic group. Historically, the Sekani maintained a semi-nomadic lifestyle, hunting and trapping in the boreal forests and mountains of their homeland. They speak the Sekani language, part of the Athabaskan language family, which remains an important marker of cultural identity. The Sekani have navigated the challenges of colonization, disease, and displacement while working to preserve their cultural traditions, language, and connection to their ancestral territories. Today, the Sekani continue to assert their rights and work toward self-determination and cultural revitalization. Various Sekani nations and bands maintain communities throughout their traditional territory, contributing to the diverse Indigenous heritage of western Canada.