McMillan Island

McMillan Island

Native name: Sqwàlets
Geography
Location	Fraser River, in SW British Columbia
Coordinates	49°11′N 122°34′W / 49.183°N 122.567°W / 49.183; -122.567[1]
Area	1.78 km2 (0.687 sq mi)
Country
Canada
Province	British Columbia
Largest city	McMillan Island 6 (Indian Reservation) (pop. 63)
Demographics
Population	63 (as of 2006)
Density	38 /km2 (98 /sq mi)
Ethnic groups	Kwantlen First Nation

McMillan Island is an island in the Fraser River. Located to the north of Fort Langley and south of Maple Ridge.

Geography

Overview

McMillan Island is located in the lower Fraser River, north of Fort Langley and south of Maple Ridge. It has a total land area of 1.78 square kilometres.^[2].

Geology

It is composed primarily of settled silt and debris from the Frser River and shaped by the erosive power of the river. Geologically it was (10000 years ago) a peninsula on the shore of what is now Maple Ridge. Erosion wore down the peninsula until it became an island, although one much larger than the current McMillan Island. Once there was a channel worn between this large island and the mainland, the water flow slowed and silt and debris settled on the south side of the island, eventually connecting it to what is now Fort Langley. The water eventually broke a small section of the original island off, resulting in the current McMillan Island.^[3]

Human Geography

There is a bridge across the Bedford Channel^[4] to the island along Glover Road, the main road through both Fort Langley and McMillan Island. There are several docks on the island, including the docks from the former Albion Ferry. There are very few buildings on the island. Those that are there include approximately 22 dwellings^[5] and the Kwantlan Nation's Band Office^[6].

History

First Nations

The island is a part of the Kwantlen First Nation's traditional territory.

Albion Ferry

A dock on the north side of the island was formerly the southern-bank terminus of the Albion Ferry. However, with the opening of the Golden Ears Bridge, ferry service has ceased.^[7]

Population

As of the 2006 census, the island has a population of 63 persons - up from 59 in the 2001 census^[2]. The majority of the population (85%^[2]) are part of the Kwantlen First Nation, because the entire island is covered by McMillan Island Reserve No. 6. This reserve belongs to the Kwantlen First Nation.^[8]

External links

• "McMillan Island". BC Geographical Names. http://apps.gov.bc.ca/pub/bcgnws/names/20603.html. 

Coordinates: 49°10.5′N 122°34′W / 49.175°N 122.567°W / 49.175; -122.567 (McMillan Island)

References

1. ^ "BC Geographical Naming". http://archive.ilmb.gov.bc.ca/bcgn-bin/bcg10?name=20603. Retrieved 2010-12-14. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} "McMillan Island 2006 Census Profile". BC Stats. http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/data/cen06/profiles/detailed/59015816.pdf. Retrieved 2010-01-16. 
3. ^ "Formation of Fraser River Delta". BC School District 36. http://www.sd36.bc.ca/sites/semiah/mleziva/unit6/U06L02.htm. Retrieved 2010-12-14. 
4. ^ "Geography - Fort Langley". Tourism BC. http://www.hellobc.com/en-CA/Geography/Fort-Langley.htm. Retrieved 2010-12-14. 
5. ^ "Community Profile". Statistics Canada. http://www12.statcan.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-591/details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=5915816&Geo2=PR&Code2=59&Data=Count&SearchText=British%20Columbia&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom=. Retrieved 2010-12-14. 
6. ^ "Connectivity Profile". Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. http://www.aboriginalcanada.gc.ca/abdt/apps/connectivitysurvey.nsf/vAllCProfile_en/2176.html. Retrieved 2010-12-14. 
7. ^ "Albion Ferry to Cease Operation". Translink. http://www.translink.ca/en/About-TransLink/Media/2009/March/Albion-Ferry-to-cease-operation-July-31-2009.aspx. Retrieved 2010-01-16. 
8. ^ "Reserve/Settlement/Village Detail". Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. http://pse5-esd5.ainc-inac.gc.ca/FNP/Main/Search/RVDetail.aspx?RESERVE_NUMBER=08034&lang=e. Retrieved 2010-12-14.