The Native Americans known as the Nootka traditionally lived on the southwestern portion of Vancouver Island off the coast of what is now British Columbia. The Nootka call themselves the Nuu-Chah-Nulth, which means “all along the mountains” and describes their traditional territory.

Society and culture

The Nootka depended on the sea for much of their food supply. They fished for salmon, halibut, cod, and other fish. They also collected wild roots and berries and hunted large sea animals such as seals and sea otters.

The Nootka were among the few Native American groups of the Pacific Northwest that hunted whales. Nootka whalers went to sea in large dugout canoes made from tree trunks. The whale harpooner was a person of high rank. Special religious leaders held ceremonies to encourage beached whales to come to their shores.

During the warmer months the Nootka could obtain all the food they needed for the year. In winter they moved to inland camps, where they ate dried fish. They also performed various ceremonies. One of the most important was the Wolf Ritual. During this ceremony men kidnapped boys, dressed them as wolves, and taught them special songs and dances.

The Nootka held ceremonial feasts known as potlatches. The family hosting a potlatch gave fine gifts to their guests. In so doing, they increased their status within the tribe.

History

Living on the coast, the Nootka frequently encountered European visitors. The first was Spanish explorer Juan de Fuca, who came in 1592. Over the next 200 years traders from both Spain and England regularly visited their land. The Nootka generally welcomed these new trading partners, supplying them with furs in exchange for European goods such as metal pots and tools. The English explorer Capt. James Cook dealt with them successfully, but they later attacked several English ships to protest unfair treatment.

Traders brought in new diseases that killed thousands of Nootka. As the Nootka population fell, non-Indians took control of more and more their land. In 1871 the Canadian government designated a small portion of the original Nootka territory as a reserve.

About 4,300 Nootka lived in Canada at the end of the 20th century. Many work as commercial fishermen and loggers. They are led by the Nuu-Chah-Nulth Tribal Council, which is working to preserve their culture and protect their environment.