Our Co-op History

Fostering community-driven accountability on the beautiful slopes of Burnaby Mountain while honoring the heritage of the land we share.

The Story of Whattlekainum: Where our name comes from

This is a story from the days when the world was changing. It was kept alive by a hereditary chief of the Cowichan First Nation, who first heard it from the people of Kikait—a village that stood proud along the waters of the Fraser River, across from what is now called New Westminster.

It is the history of the early 1800s, when Simon Fraser traveled down the great river. These are the words of Staquisit, who was there to witness it, as recorded in the old legends.

“I was there on the day Simon Fraser came.

When the stranger arrived, fear gripped our village. The people cried out and ran in every direction, lost in confusion. Some reached for their bows and spears, ready for war. Others stood frozen, unable to pull their eyes away.

Among us was Whattlekainum, one of our sub-chiefs. He stepped forward and tried to speak to the newcomers, but they spoke in a strange, unknown tongue. Then, the leader of these 'Sky-People' began to make signs with his hands. Through his gestures, we understood his intent: he was journeying toward the saltwater sea, but he promised he would return.

The very next day, the Sky-People kept their word and returned to Kikait. This time, they came ashore.

The river had been rough, and the water had soaked some of the cargo in their canoes. The Sky-Chief ordered his men to unpack their goods and spread them across the riverbank to dry. When our young men saw the treasures laid out before them, their blood ran hot with excitement.

There were daggers forged of dark metal, just like the ones traded by the Songhees. There were coils of rope made of materials we had never seen—not of twisted cedar bark, nor of animal skin. There were so many things we had never imagined, things our people deeply desired.

The young men watched, and they waited.

In the morning, as the Sky-People prepared to cast off, they discovered some of their goods were missing. The white Chief grew furious. His men searched among our people and found the articles the young men had taken. They snatched the goods back, and then, they kicked our young men.

That was a dark thing to do. To kick a man is to strike at his dignity; it makes a warrior burn with a deep, heavy shame.

As soon as the visitors pushed off into the current, the young men gathered. They began to prepare their weapons, vowing to follow the canoes downriver and kill the Sky-People when they made camp for the night.

But Chief Whattlekainum heard of their plot. He stood before them and said: 'No. Do not try to harm the Sky-People. They are as countless as the stars in the night sky. If you kill these few, more will follow, and they will destroy us all. No, you must lay down this plan.'

Some of the elders spoke up, agreeing that Whattlekainum’s words were wise and full of truth. But the young men who had been kicked sat in silence, their faces dark with humiliation.

Looking upon them, the Chief spoke again: 'I see the darkness in your hearts. I know you carry a heavy burden of shame because of how you were treated. My heart is heavy for you, and so, I will lift this shame from your shoulders. I will make you presents.'

And there on the riverbank, Whattlekainum gave away everything he owned. He stripped himself of his own wealth and possessions, distributing them among the young men to soothe their wounded pride and honor. He gave away all he had, just to keep them from killing Simon Fraser and saving his people from the war that would follow.”

Historical Note: In the oral traditions of many Coast Salish Nations, early European maritime and overland explorers—such as Simon Fraser’s British expedition party—were referred to as the "Sky-People" (or "People from the Sky"), a term reflecting the profound and world-altering nature of their arrival.

Construction of Whattlekainum

Built with a vision of enduring co-operative stability, the construction of Whattlekainum required careful engineering to seamlessly blend multi-family townhomes into the delicate landscape of Forest Grove. By prioritizing the preservation of the surrounding urban forest canopy, our founders established a community footprint that remains deeply integrated with the natural beauty and wilderness of Burnaby Mountain. Today, that legacy lives on not just in the trees, but through the deep-rooted relationships that define us—proudly remaining home to original founding members who helped build these units from the ground up, alongside dedicated multi-generational residents who have stewarded this community for decades.