HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

Roberts Creek (
shíshálh Language The Sechelt or shíshálh language (), ''sháshíshálh'' or ''she shashishalhem'' (), is a Coast Salish language that originates and is spoken within the (world, "Territory") of the shíshálh Nation, located on the Sunshine Coast in southwe ...
: xwesam) is a community on the southern
Sunshine Coast Sunshine Coast may refer to: * Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia **Sunshine Coast Region, a local government area of Queensland named after the region **Sunshine Coast Stadium * Sunshine Coast (British Columbia), geographic subregion of the Br ...
, in
British Columbia British Columbia is the westernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. Situated in the Pacific Northwest between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains, the province has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that ...
, Canada, and within Electoral Area D of the
Sunshine Coast Regional District The Sunshine Coast Regional District is a regional district in British Columbia, Canada. It is located on the southern mainland coast, across Georgia Strait (part of the Salish Sea) from Vancouver Island. It borders on the qathet Regional Dist ...
. Roberts Creek sits on the border of the ''shíshálh swiya'' (land, birthplace, "Territory" of the
shíshálh Nation The shíshálh Nation (also spelled Shishalh) is a First Nation located on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, Canada. Their ''swiya'' (world, 'Territory’) comprises 515,000 hectares that stretches from xwesam ( Roberts Creek) in the sout ...
) and the territory of the
Squamish Nation The Squamish Nation, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw, is a First Nations government of the Squamish people. The Squamish Nation government includes an elected council and an administrative body based primarily in West Vancouver, North Vancouver (cit ...
, roughly halfway between the Town of Gibsons and the District of Sechelt, the region's two main population centres.


History

For thousands of years prior to European settlement, Roberts Creek was utilized seasonally by both the '' shíshálh'' and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh peoples. Several salmon-bearing creeks drain into the
Salish Sea The Salish Sea ( ) is a List of seas on Earth #Terminology, marginal sea of the Pacific Ocean located in the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of British Columbia and the States of the United States , U.S. state of Washingto ...
here, providing an excellent source of food. Roberts Creek is named for William Roberts, the first European settler in the area. During the 1960s and 70s, many American
draft dodgers Conscription evasion or draft evasion (American English) is any successful attempt to elude a government-imposed obligation to serve in the military forces of one's nation. Sometimes draft evasion involves refusing to comply with the military dra ...
fleeing the
Vietnam War The Vietnam War (1 November 1955 – 30 April 1975) was an armed conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia fought between North Vietnam (Democratic Republic of Vietnam) and South Vietnam (Republic of Vietnam) and their allies. North Vietnam w ...
settled in Roberts Creek. Several well-known communes formed here during this time period.


Infrastructure

"Downtown" Roberts Creek (aka. 'The Heart of the Creek') is located near the beach where Lower Road, Roberts Creek Road, and Beach Avenue meet. It is home to the elementary school, the
Royal Canadian Legion The Royal Canadian Legion is a non-profit Canadian veterans' organization founded in 1925. Members include people who served in the military, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, provincial or municipal police, Royal Canadian Air, Army and Sea Cade ...
Branch 219, a post office, library, general store, cafe, restaurant, and other small businesses. Roberts Creek is also home to several bed and breakfast locations, farms, and other small community-run locations. The volunteer fire department and Roberts Creek Hall, home to live music, dances, community events and craft fairs, are situated at the top of Roberts Creek Road at the highway. Roberts Creek Provincial Park is a popular campground. Roberts Creek is also home to several beaches including Roberts Creek Beach (bottom of Roberts Creek Road), the Roberts Creek Picnic Site (bottom of Flume Road at Beach Avenue), Henderson Beach and Stephens beach. The Province, in collaboration with
shíshálh Nation The shíshálh Nation (also spelled Shishalh) is a First Nation located on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, Canada. Their ''swiya'' (world, 'Territory’) comprises 515,000 hectares that stretches from xwesam ( Roberts Creek) in the sout ...
, completed the installation of dual-language she shashishalhem-English road signs along Highway 101 in 2020. Roberts Creek can be located by its traditional name, xwesam.


Government

Roberts Creek is an
unincorporated community An unincorporated area is a parcel of land that is not governed by a local general-purpose municipal corporation. (At p. 178.) They may be governed or serviced by an encompassing unit (such as a county) or another branch of the state (such as th ...
. It is represented in the
Sunshine Coast Regional District The Sunshine Coast Regional District is a regional district in British Columbia, Canada. It is located on the southern mainland coast, across Georgia Strait (part of the Salish Sea) from Vancouver Island. It borders on the qathet Regional Dist ...
by a regional director, currently (2022) Kelly Backs, past (2019) Andreas Tize (since October 2018). Roberts Creek is a part of School District No. 46 (Sunshine Coast).


Demographics

According to the 2016 census, the total population of the electoral area of Roberts Creek was 3,421. The population density was 23.8 people per square kilometre (143.6/km²). There were 1,508 occupied private dwellings. The population grew by 5.5% from the 2011 census. The 2016 census identified two separate areas: the 'Population centre' PC' and the 'Designated place' DP' The population centre had a population of 1,848; while the designated place had 1,867 people. Despite a nearly-equal population, the land area of the "Downtown" incorporated population centre (3.93/km²) is much smaller than the unincorporated part of town (20.97/km²). Like in many small West Coast Canadian communities, the average age in Roberts Creek (46.4 PC, 45.8 DP) is older than the national average (41.0 years).


Arts and culture

Roberts Creek has a vibrant arts community, including a yearly ''Art Crawl'', and a collection of accomplished artists and writers. Roberts Creek's annual festival, Creek Daze, is held in mid-August and includes the Higgledy-Piggledy parade, a second-hand book sale in support of the notable local library, live music at the beach mandala and sales tables with crafts and food. Live music, craft shows and other events are held regularly at the community centre, Roberts Creek Hall. Earth Day is held at the beach in April and is a popular event with the locals. Speakers, info tables and music celebrate the Earth and humanity's relationship with it. The Day Out of Time Celebration is held on July 25 of each year. It is preceded by the yearly painting of the Roberts Creek Mandala (an all ages community art project), and culminates in a yearly dedication of the new mandala with a unique and inspiring community dance. Roberts Creek is known for its horse area above the
Highway 101 Highway 101 was an American country music band founded in 1986 in Los Angeles, California. The initial lineup consisted of Paulette Carlson (lead vocals), Jack Daniels (guitar), Curtis Stone (bass guitar, vocals), and Scott "Cactus" Moser (drum ...
, with riding trails all over the mountains, including a main feeder route to Electric Ranch. A horse arena club entertains the public at intervals at the end of this route on B+K Road. Many hundreds of horses use this route. The xwesam/Roberts Creek Community Association (xRCAA) has been a cornerstone of the community since becoming a registered non-profit society in 1958. Their mission is to educate, entertain, and empower the 3,400 residents who proudly call “the Creek” home. For over six decades, the xRCAA has been the steward of key community spaces, including the Roberts Creek Community Hall, the Roberts Creek Community Library, and the downtown greenspace with its iconic gazebo. The xRCCA holds numerous community events annually, including Earth Day, Creek Daze, Eek the Creek family Halloween party, Christmas Community Dinner at the Hall, and photos with Santa.


Notable people

*
Julia Budd Julia Budd (born July 4, 1983) is a Canadian mixed martial arts, mixed martial artist and Kickboxing, kickboxer competing in the Featherweight (MMA), featherweight division. She was the first List of Bellator MMA champions#Women's Featherweight ...
(born 1983), mixed martial artist


References


External links


Xwesam Roberts Creek Volunteer Fire DepartmentRoberts Creek LegionRoberts Creek / SCRD Website Roberts Creek Community Association
{{authority control Unincorporated settlements in British Columbia Populated places in the Sunshine Coast Regional District Designated places in British Columbia