Image: Chilliwack Cleanup / A homeless camp near the Vedder Bridge and The Eddy, just off Sweltzer Creek Road in Chilliwack.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Homeless encampment

Chilliwack First Nation issues call to action surrounding homeless camp near Vedder Bridge

Apr 3, 2025 | 12:28 PM

CHILLIWACK — A Chilliwack First Nation plans to ask residents of a homeless encampment near the Vedder Bridge to leave this weekend due to numerous issues associated with the camp.

According to a event flyer containing the Soowahlie FN logo on it, and brought to the attention of Fraser Valley Today by Chilliwack resident Ross Aikenhead, Soowahlie First Nation in Chilliwack is inviting the community to join them this Sunday, April 6 at noon, as they practice their traditional rights and seek resolution on the problematic camp.

Supporters of Soowahlie are asked to meet halfway between their band gate on Sweltzer Creek Road and The Eddy commercial plaza.

In a news release sent to Fraser Valley Today Thursday afternoon, Soowahlie First Nation says it stands today in full sovereignty to protect its land, waters, and its people.

“At the entrance of Sweltzer Creek Road, known to us as “The Eddy,” a longstanding encampment has caused serious harm to our community, with issues including open fires, illicit activity, water contamination, and unsafe interactions with community members,” Soowahlie said in a news release.

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After years of outreach and unacknowledged requests for support, Soowahlie says it is stepping forward as rightful stewards of the land.

“We are exercising our ancestral, legal, and inherent rights to care for our home,” Soowahlie said. “We call on our community and allies to join us on Sunday, April 6, 2025, at noon, halfway between our gate and The Eddy. Bring your drums, your voices, your presence. Parking will be on one side of the road. This is a peaceful and powerful gathering—no aggressive or violent behavior will be tolerated. We gather as protectors, not enforcers.”

The band says it will clean up the debris from the camp and asks for the public’s support in doing so.

“As Xwelmexw, we do not turn away from difficult situations. We confront them with clarity, responsibility, and the strength of our teachings,” Soowahlie said. “The individuals occupying this site have been notified, and outreach services have been engaged. We will assist in cleaning up the debris and ask for your support in doing so.

The planned action comes just weeks after the band issued an eviction notice ordering all unhoused campers off its sovereign land.

The band is expressing frustration over the presence of this homeless camp, located just off Sweltzer Creek Road, that has been present for at least two years now. Untold garbage and personal effects have accumulated at the site, and police and fire have been called to the site on several occasions, but government authorities have taken no action to remove the unhoused residents there.

“As many of you know, over the years a homeless encampment has been established over the years at the entrance of Sweltzer Creek Road by ‘The Eddy,” the event flyer stated. “Since this camp has been there our community has struggled with many issues that include fires, drug dealing, polluting our water/land and violent altercations with our community members.”

One of those issues came to a head in February 2025 when a fire broke out at the encampment, prompting multiple Chilliwack Fire Department crews to respond. One woman had to be treated at the scene. 

Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / Chilliwack firefighters and paramedics were dispatched to a homeless camp just off Sweltzer Creek Road in February 2025 after a fire broke out there. One person was injured and required medical attention.

Soowahlie says it tried to enact solutions by contacting external organizations for assistance with the camp but to no avail.

“We have tried to reach out to various agencies for support in dealing with this issue and have been met with roadblocks,” the event flyer stated. “Our community has had enough! And we would like to send a strong message to government agencies that this is unacceptable! We will protect our land, our water and our people!”

The band says outreach supports have been notified for any encampments since they are being asked to leave.

“We are asking for your support by joining us with your drums, your voice & your presence,” Soowahlie wrote. “As we remove this camp and cleanup the garbage & debris that is there.”

The band cautions people who attend this Sunday to avoid any antagonistic or aggressive behaviour towards the occupants.

“We are letting everyone know that comes out to support that we do not want any violent or aggressive behavior,” Soowahlie said. “There’s a difference between being strong & standing up for our people and being aggressively violent. Let’s choose strength & pride.”

Soowahlie is inviting fellow leaders, land guardians, protectors of their waters, concerned citizens and river cleanup volunteers to come stand with them this Sunday.