 Cortes is part of the traditional territories of the We Wai Kai, Kwiakah, Homalco, and Klahoose First Nations, with the office of the Klahoose First Nation located on the island.The island's southern tip is also part of the traditional territory of the Sliammon people.The island was named in 1792 during the expedition of Galiano and Valdés, after Hernán Cortés, the Spanish conqueror of Mexico.