The Halkomelem are a First Nations people who speak related dialects around Parksville to Saanich Inlet on Vancouver Island and on the mainland from the mouth of the Fraser eastward to Harrison Lake and the lower end of the Fraser Canyon.

The word "Halkomelem" is a blend of three distinct dialect groups: (1) an Island group, spoken by six separate but closely related First Nations on Vancouver Island and adjoining islands on the west side of the Strait of Georgia: the Snuynemuxw, Nanoose, Stz'uminus (Chemainus), Cowichan, Halalt, Lake Cowichan, Lyackson, and Penelakut, (2) a Downriver group, spoken by the Musqueam, Tsawwassen, Kwantlen, Tsleil-Waututh, Qayqayt, Kwikwetlem, and Katzie First Nations, and (3) an Upriver group, the Upper Sto:lo, spoken from the Matsqui First Nation on upstream to Yale.

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