Who were the first nations in the cordillera region?

Answer 1

We do not know and it is very difficult to determine who they were. This area along the West Coast of Canada was the first to have people, at least as far as we know.

During the last Ice Age it was much easier to cross the Bearing Sea, so much easier that the area in that time is known as the Bearing Land Bridge. People and animals could walk between the continents.

These first people, or Nations, are lost to history. The lands they walked on, through and settled in would now be under water or buried in the deepest layers of human occupation.

They were also displaced by the many following waves of immigrants from Asia over the many years it was possible to walk and then boat from Asia. Each new group of Asian immigrants would have to deal with those already in Canada. These dealings were not always peaceful, in fact it is doubtful they were ever peaceful.

The region is rich in resources and the likelihood that those already living there would welcome newcomers with open arms is very remote. Even today their is a significant resistance to other Canadians relocating to the region even though Immigration of other Canadians, mostly wealthy, older and with many assets, results in a major part of the economy.

Their are no written records from the many past Nations in the area but we do know of the Nations there when Europeans arrived and we call them the First Nations. I know that isn't correct and no one really claims those who call themselves First Nations were really first but we use that term for 20th century political reasons.