Linguistically, Nuu-chah-nulth (Nuučaan̓uɫ) is one of the two main divisions of the Wakashan family, the other being Kwak'wala. The shrine, and the Mowachaht’s efforts to reclaim the shrine, was the subject of the film The Washing of Tears (Hugh Brody, 1994). The original owners of the shrine, the Mowachaht people, continue to petition for its return. In New York gained its possession and contents in the early 1900s ( see George Hunt). After a controversial and disputed “purchase” of the shrine, the American Museum of Natural History The Yuquot Whalers’ Shrine was a ritual house-like structure used in the spiritual preparations for whale hunts. It was reflected in legends,įamily names, songs and place names. In addition to its economic value, whaling was essential to Nuu-chah-nulth culture and spirituality. Whaling is an important aspect of Nuu-chah-nulth history. Hunting parties travelled in large canoes during the winter and spring, to and from inlets and camps where they fished and hunted before returning home.
Supplemented by fowl, deer, elk, bear and plant foods. Fish (particularly salmon and halibut), sea mammals and shellfish were mainstays of their diet, The Nuu-chah-nulth were hunter-gatherers, who made their living primarily from fishing.
As of 2016, Statistics Canada reported 4,310 people identifyingĪs having Nuu-chah-nulth ancestry. In 2014, there were 4,606 registered Nuu-chah-nulth, according to the Government of British Columbia. The Nuu-chah-nulth population, estimated at 30,000 at first contact, plunged to only about 2,000 in the 1930s. Acquisition of guns intensified warfare, with well-armed Nuu-chah-nulth groups such as the Mowachaht, 'A:ho:sath and Tla'o:kwi'ath nearly exterminating others such as the Machl-'ath, Up until 1830, more than 90 per cent of the Nuu-chah-nulth were killed by diseases introduced by Europeans ( malaria and smallpox),Īnd by cultural turmoil resulting from contact and trading with Westerners. Nuu-chah-nulth nations have entered into negotiations with the British Columbia government and Canadian government over land claims and rights to traditional territories. There are also currently 14 Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations divided into three regions: the Southern Region ( Ditidaht, Huu-ay-aht, Hupacasath, Tse-shaht, Uchucklesaht) the Central Region ( Ahousaht, Hesquiaht, Tla-o-qui-aht, Toquaht, Ucluelet) and the Northern Region ( Ehattesaht, Kyuquot/Checleseht, Mowachat/Muchalaht and Nuchatlaht).Īlthough the Nuu-chah-nulth did not surrender their land on Vancouver Island, the Canadian government created small reserves for them in that area in the late 19th century.Ĭurtailment of hunting and fishing, including prohibition of the vital salmon weir traps, deprived the Nuu-chah-nulth of their traditionally rich economic base. Today, the ha’houlthee of the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations stretches approximately 300 km of Vancouver Island’s Pacific Coast,įrom Brooks Peninsula in the north to Point-no-Point in the south, and includes inland regions. Each group also lived off the resources provided within their ha’houlthee (chiefly territories). Each nation included several local groups, led by a ha’wiih (hereditary chief). Languages and aspects of culture, they were divided into chiefly families or nations. Although the Nuu-chah-nulth shared traditions, When Captain James Cook first met some Nuu-chah-nulth peoples in 1778, he mistakenly assumed that they were all part of the same tribe. (courtesy Native Land Digital / Native-Land.ca) Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations and Traditional Territory
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