Cheam Enterprises Inc. (CEI) is the operating company for CFN Holdings LP – the wholly-owned economic development corporation of Cheam First Nation. CEI has a mandate from the community to increase revenues and employment opportunities for the membership. The company has numerous partnerships place, across a variety of industry sectors, exploring sustainable growth and development opportunities in the traditional territory of the Cheam First Nation.
The Xwchíyò:m (Cheam) have lived in S’ólh Téméxw (Our Land) for thousands of years in the Rosedale area of the Upper Fraser Valley region of British Columbia, Canada. The name Cheam means “wild strawberry place”. This describes a place near the Cheam First Nation CFN community where wild strawberries have always been known to grow.
Cheam First Nation borders both the north and south banks of the Fraser River, and is home to 354 people with another 200 off Reserve.
Cheam First Nation is a self-governing community that is a part of the greater Stó:lō First Nation. Cheam Enterprises Inc. Cheam Enterprises Inc. is the community-owned entity aimed at participating in the local mainstream economy within Cheam’s traditional territory. CEI is actively working to progress community driven and owned economic development and growth for the betterment of all Cheam people, including future generations.
Since time immemorial, the Cheam people have existed as a group of families within the people of the Pélhoxwlh (Pilalt) Tribe. The Pélhoxwlh tribe share customs and interests with other Coast Salish tribes. According to Coast Salish concepts of land tenure and territoriality, the water, land, air and resources of S’ólh Téméxw are their birthright.
To maintain the history of enterprise which has sustained The Xwchíyò:m for thousands of years in S’ólh Téméxw.
To provide economic development opportunities through ethical resource management, strengthening partnership opportunities while promoting fairness, respect, values and cultural integrity.