By Jennifer Dart

Thousands of years before any European explorers set foot on the west coast of Vancouver Island; First Nations people lived and thrived here.

The town of Tofino is located in the traditional territory of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, part of the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations. There are 14 Nuu-chah-nulth nations in territories stretching some 300 km along the west coast of Vancouver Island and inland to Port Alberni. In their own language, “Nuu-chah-nulth” means “all along the mountains and the sea.”

The Nuu-chah-nulth governing structure is centred around both modern-day elected chiefs and councilors, as well as Ha’wiih (hereditary chiefs). Each nation is responsible for the stewardship of their Hahoulthee (traditional territory), which stretches well beyond reserve boundaries.

The coastal Nuu-chah-nulth nations, five of which are located in the Tofino area, have always been deeply connected to the bountiful sea and the lush rainforests of the west coast of Vancouver Island. Traditionally, they fished salmon, halibut, cod and shellfish, gathered seaweeds and other plants, and hunted sea lions, seals and whales in cedar dugout canoes.

Local First Nations hold to the “living philosophies” (in Nuu-chah-nulth) of Iisaak (living respectfully), Qwa’aak qin teechmis (life in the balance), and Hishuk ish ts’awalk (everything is one and interconnected).

Along with the Tla-o-qui-aht, the Ahousaht and the Hesquiaht people live in Clayoquot Sound. Their reserves are located north of Tofino and are boat and floatplane access only.

South of Tofino, the Ucluelet and Toquaht First Nations live in and around Ucluelet and Barkley Sound.

The Tla-o-qui-aht village of Opitsat is visible directly across Tofino inlet from the Shore building. Located on Meares Island, the village is boat or floatplane access only. It is one of two Tla-o-qui-aht reserves in the Tofino area, the other being Esowista and Ty-histanis (an expansion of Esowista currently under construction) on the north end of Long Beach.

Once the seat of the mighty Tla-o-qui-aht chief Wickaninnish, Opitsat is one of the longest continually inhabited sites on Vancouver Island. It was destroyed and rebuilt as recently as the 1790s, after relations soured between the Tla-o-qui-aht and the American naval captain Robert Gray and his crew of the vessel Columbia. Gray traveled to Nootka and Clayoquot Sounds to trade sea otter furs with First Nations. Skirmishes in 1791/92 with the Tla-o-qui-aht resulted in Gray’s attacking and burning of the village of Opitsat.

Centuries later in an unprecedented event during the Tall Ships Festival of 2005, a reconciliation ceremony took place between Gray’s descendants and the Tla-o-qui-aht at Opitsat.

History lies just outside your door at the Shore and if you’re keen to discover more about it and the cultural traditions of local First Nations, the local Tla-o-qui-aht tour company Tla-ook Cultural Adventures offers dugout canoe tours of the area. More tour information and links to local galleries featuring local First Nations art can be found at Tourism BC. In addition to these, displays and information at the Wickaninnish Centre at Pacific Rim National Park also offer a glimpse into local First Nations culture that continues to thrive in this area today.

Image Credit: Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation

Tags: Esowista, Meares Island, Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations, Opitsat, The Shore, Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, Tofino, Tofino First Nations, Ty-histanis

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 19th, 2011 at 8:12 pm and is filed under Tofino Culture, Updates. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.