Nuu-Chah-Nulth
The Nuu-Chah-Nulth, formerly known as the Nootka, are Indigenous people belonging to the Wakashan language family, primarily located on the west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, with a smaller population in Cape Flattery, Washington State. The name Nuu-Chah-Nulth translates to "along the mountains and sea," reflecting their close ties to the coastal environment. Historically, at the time of first contact with Europeans in 1778, they numbered between nine and ten thousand, living in various villages along a 200-mile coastline. The Nuu-Chah-Nulth were skilled hunters, fishers, and whalers, with a rich cultural life that included ceremonial feasts and potlatches, which served to redistribute wealth and enhance social status.
Social organization was centered around extended families led by hereditary chiefs, with communal cooperation playing a vital role in their way of life. Over time, the Nuu-Chah-Nulth faced significant population decline due to disease and external pressures but have since seen a resurgence, numbering over 2,900 as of 2021. They have engaged in economic activities like commercial fishing and logging, while also seeking to address historical grievances through land claims and recognition of Aboriginal rights. The Nuu-Chah-Nulth Tribal Council, formed in the late 20th century, represents fourteen distinct First Nations, working towards self-determination and cultural revitalization.
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Nuu-Chah-Nulth
Also known as: Nuu-chah-nulth
Category: Tribe
Culture area: Northwest Coast
Language group: Wakashan
Primary location: West Coast of Vancouver Island
Population size: 2,900 (2021 Statistics Canada)
The Nuu-chah-nulth (formerly known as Nootka) Tribe, of the Wakashan language family, are North American Indians who reside primarily on the west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia; a smaller number of Nuu-chah-nulth reside on Cape Flattery in Washington State. The Nuu-chah-nulth are referred to as the “West Coast People.” Formerly known as the Nootka, Nuu-chah-nulth means "along the mountains and sea."
At the first contact with Europeans in 1778, the Nuu-chah-nulth numbered about nine thousand to ten thousand and lived in twenty-five villages of different sizes along two hundred miles of coastline in the Northwest Coast cultural area. The Nuu-chah-nulth were technologically capable people who were skilled hunters, fishers, and whalers. Land animals were a secondary food source. They amassed an abundance of food, which permitted lavish ceremonial feasts (convivial social gatherings) and potlatches. The potlatches allowed the host to distribute surplus wealth and gain honor status.
There was a highest-ranking chief for all the Nuu-chah-nulth villages, a position obtained through titles and wealth. (Chiefs acted more as representatives of the various villages than as absolute rulers.)
Social and political life centered on the extended family, which lived together. The extended family cooperated to meet its needs and to amass wealth and status. Slaves were also kept. The family was presided over by a hereditary (patrilineal) chief. Although the extended family unit was autonomous, a number of families often wintered together, sometimes forming confederacies.
The spirit world was very much a part of Nuu-chah-nulth culture, and Nuu-chah-nulth often prayed for power to the Four Chiefs of Above, Horizon, Land, and Underseas. Two major ceremonies were the Wolf Ritual, to initiate a son or young relative, and the Doctoring Ritual, to help sick people.
A combination of disease, warfare, and integration into the White-controlled commercial economy caused a significant decline in population beginning in the late 1700s. A population low of 1,605 was reached in 1939, but numbers gradually and steadily increased, numbering more than 2,900 in 2021. The Nuu-chah-nulth’s integration into the commercial economy capitalized on their native ways. They supplied furs, dogfish oil, seal pelts, and curios, and became involved in commercial fishing and logging.
In 1871, the Nuu-chah-nulth became part of the Canadian Indian reserve system; missionary work began in 1875. By 1900, about 60 percent were at least nominally converted. During the 1960s and 1970s, a pan-Nuu-chah-nulth or independence movement developed in order to establish a positive identity, control Nuu-chah-nulth affairs, and act as a counterpoint to assimilation into Canadian society. From the 1930s to 1958, the Nuu-chah-nulth belonged to the Native Brotherhood of British Columbia. In 1958, they formed their own organization, the West Coast Allied Tribes, later changed to the West Coast District Council in 1973 and then to the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council in 1979. The fourteen Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations include the Ditidaht, Huu-ay-aht, Hupacasath, Tse-shaht, Uchucklesaht, Ahousaht, Hesquiaht, Tla-o-qui-aht, Toquaht, Yuu-cluth-aht, Ehattesaht, Kyuquot/Cheklesaht, Mowachat/Muchalaht, and Nuchatlaht. A primary goal has been to obtain recognition of aboriginal land titles and to pursue land claims settlements.
Bibliography
Hoover, Alan L., ed. Nuu-Chah-Nulth Voices, History, Objects and Journeys. 2nd ed. Royal British Columbia Museum, 2002.
Kirk, Ruth. Tradition and Change on the Northwest Coast: The Makah, Nuu-Chah-Nulth, Southern Kwakiutl, and Nuxalk. U of Washington P, 1998.
McMillan, Alan D. Since the Time of the Transformers: The Ancient Heritage of the Nuu-Chah-Nulth, Ditidaht, and Makah. rep. ed. UBC P, 2000.
"About NTC." Nuu-Chah-Nulth Tribal Council, nuuchahnulth.org/about-ntc. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.