The Leq'á:mel First Nation, formerly known as Lakahahmen First Nation, is a First Nations band government whose community and offices are located in the area near Deroche, British Columbia in the Fraser Valley region in Canada, about 12 kilometres east of the District of Mission. They are a member government of the Sto:lo Nation Chiefs Council, which is one of two tribal councils of the Sto:lo (though many bands are independent of either). Although also known as the Sumas before 1962, the Leq’á:mel people are distinct from present-day Sumas. Other previous names include Alternate Nicomen (1911), Nicomen Slough, Somass River, merged with Squeam or Skweahm (post 1924) and changed To Lackahahmen (1962-2003). They were historically affiliated with the Sumas, Scowlitz, Matsqui and Nooksack tribes. Its governance structure is described as a custom electoral system. The current chief is Alice Thompson who is serving a term running from April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2025. The name "Leq’á:mel" means "the level place where people meet" reflecting how it was described as having been one of the most popular trading stops in Stó:lō territory. The place is also thought to be the birthplace of the Halkomelem dialect Halq’eméylem. Historically, people lived in longhouses on Leq’á:mel land up to one kilometre in length. Population The band has an approximate population of 460 as reported by the Government of British Columbia. The 2016 census lists 695 members of the First Nation, a decline of 11% from the 2006 census. Of them, 150 were registered Indian. As of July 2022, 125 registered members live on Leq'á:mel land, 19 live on other reserves and 338 do not live on a reserve. Two cemeteries are run by the band with dozens of unlabeled graves. The language of the First Nation is Halq’eméylem. However, it is not a mother tongue for many residents of their reserves. Those knowing the language halved from 2006 to 2016 to 2.2%, with 675 members only knowing English. Indian Reserves The Leq'á:mel First Nation currently holds ten reserve lands exclusively that are located in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Deroche and Nicomen Island. Three reserves are residential areas, two are cemeteries and the rest are either under a certificate of possession to members, leased for agricultural use, or kept for economic development. Indian Reserves under its administration include: Aylechootlook Indian Reserve No. 5, at the confluence of the Sumas River and Vedder Canal, 18.70 ha. Holachten