Sometimes referred to as the Nootka, Nutka, Aht, Nuuchalnulth, or Tahkaht, the Nuu-chah-nulth are an Indigenous group in the Pacific Northwest Coast in British Columbia, Canada.
Several band governments are recognized as being affiliated with the Nuu-chah-nulth peoples group.
Recognized Nuu-chah-nulth band governments include the Huu-ay-aht First Nation (Huuʕiiʔatḥ), the Hupacasath First Nation (Huupač̓asʔatḥ), the Tseshaht First Nation (C̓išaaʔatḥ), and the Uchucklesaht First Nation (Ḥuučuqƛisʔatḥ) in the Southern Region, as well as the Ahousaht First Nation (ʕaaḥuusʔatḥ), the Hesquiaht First Nation (Ḥiškʷiiʔstḥ), the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations (ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ), the Toquaht First Nation (T̓uk̓ʷaaʔatḥ), and the Ucluelet First Nation (Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ) in the Central Region, and the Ehattesaht First Nation (ʔiiḥatisʔatḥ), the Kyuquot/Cheklesahht First Nation (Qaay̓uuk̓ʷatḥ/Č̓iiqƛisʔstḥ), the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nations (Muwačʔatḥ/Mačłaʔatḥ), and the Nuchatlaht First Nation (Nučaaƛʔatḥ in the Northern Region. Additionally, the Pacheedaht First Nation (P̓aačiinaʔatḥ), the Ditidaht First Nation (Niitiinaʔatḥ), and the Makah Tribe (qʷidiččaʔa·tx̌) are part of the Nuu-chah-nulth people by culture and language, although not members of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council.
The Huu-ay-aht First Nations are based on Pachena Bay, on the west coast of Vancouver, northwest of Victoria, British Columbia. The Huu-ay-aht is a member of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council and the Maa-nulth Treaty Society. They hold reserve lands in Anacia, Clutus, Dochsupple, Haines Island, Hamilton Point, Keeshan, Kichha, Kirkby Point, Masit, Nuchaquis, Numukamis, Sachawil, and Sachsa.
The Hupacasath First Nation is based in the Albemi Valley, on the west coast of Vancouver Island, where they have five reserves: Ahahswinis, Chu-ca-ca-cook, Cous, Kleekoot, and Nettle Island.
The Tseshaht First Nation includes several tribes up and down Alberni Inlet and in the Alberni Valley of central Vancouver Island, where their main reserve community is situated.
The Uchucklesaht First Nation is on the west coast of Vancouver Island and is a member of both the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council and the Maa-nulth Treaty Society. There are only a few recognizable European names among the adults in the tribe, although they appear more regularly among the children.
The Ahousaht First Nation includes the community of Ahousaht, which includes much of Clayoquot Sound. The Ahousaht First Nation is the largest in the Nuu-chah-nulth Nation and is an amalgamation of several former tribes that joined as a confederation prior to the arrival of Europeans. Approximately forty percent of its members reside on its reserve on Flores Island.
The Hesquiaht First Nation is on the west side of Vancouver Island, including Hot Springs Cove.
The Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations inhabit ten reserves along the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve on Vancouver Island.
The smallest of First Nations within the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, the Toquaht First Nation is on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
Located on the west coast of Vancouver Island, on the northwest side of Barkley Sound, the Ucluelet First Nation is made. up of the descendants from families who once occupied nine different villages in the Barkley Sound area.
The Ehattesaht First Nation mostly covers the Esperanza Inlet, the Zebalios Inlet, and the Espinosa Inlet, in which most of its population resides, its most prominent village being Queen's Cove (maḥtiʕas).
The Kyuquot/Cheklesahht First Nation is a member of the Maa-nulth Treaty Society and the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council and is located on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
The main reserve of the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nations government is at Gold River, on the west coast of Vancouver Island, although they are originally from Yuquot on Nootka Sound.
Also based on the west coast of Vancouver Island, the Nuchatlaht First Nation is a member of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council.
Although the Pacheedaht First Nation are Nuu-cha-nulth culture and language, they are not a member of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council.
The Ditidaht First Nation government has seventeen reserve lands on Southern Vancouver Island, several of which became part of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve in 1973. While they are Nuu-cha-nulth by culture and language, they are not part of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council.
The Makah Tribe is in the Pacific Northwest Coast area of Washington, in the United States, and is a federally recognized American Indian tribe. They are closely related to the Nuu-chah-nulth and Ditidaht peoples of the West Coast of Vancouver Island, across the Strait of Juan de Fuca in British Columbia.
Recommended Resources
The Ahousaht (ʕaaḥuusʔatḥ) First Nation is on the west coast of Vancouver Island, encompassing much of Clayoquot Sound, and including Flores Island. Its administrative offices, operations and maintenance, social development, cultural and homelessness coordination, housing, fisheries, finance, and membership services and programs are set forth, along with its Indian Residential School Project. Its council, bylaws, community comprehensive plan, and access to various documents are included.
https://www.ahousaht.ca/
The Ditidaht ([dee-tee-dot) First Nation has seventeen reserve lands on southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, some of which became part of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve in 1973. Its history, culture, people, territory, treaty negotiations, and member services are outlined, along with administrative contacts, and a calendar of events. Economic development and tourism opportunities are highlighted, including current projects and enterprises.
https://nitinaht.com/
The Ehattesaht (ʔiiḥatisatḥ činax̣int) First Nations government is a member of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council. Governing an area that largely covers the Esperanza Inlet, Zeballos Inlet, and Espinosa Inlet, on the west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. A Nation profile is presented, and its administrative offices, chief, council, and contacts are set forth, along with a photo gallery and an overview of its programs, services, economic development, and membership data.
https://ehattesaht.com/
First Nations of Maa-nulth Treaty Society, The
The First Nations Treaty Society represents Nuu-chah-nulth nations on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Introduced in the Legislative Assembly on November 21, and receiving Royal Assent on November 29, the maa-nulth First Nations' Final Agreement represents Stage 5 of the BC Treaty Process. The ratification process was completed on October 2007, and the five member nations voted to accept the Final Agreement, with nearly 80% in favor. Member nations are listed here.
https://www.maanulth.ca/
Located on the west side of Vancouver Island, the Hesquiaht First Nation, approximately 100 of its members reside in Hot Springs Cove, on a reserve located on territory claimed by the Ahousaht First Nation. Its history, community, and travel information are provided, and its projects, programs, and services are discussed, along with its fisheries, wildlife resources, and forestry. Its mailing address, telephone number, and an online contact form are provided on the website.
https://www.hesquiaht.ca/
The First Nations government is based in the Alberni Valley on the west coast of Vancouver Island, where its approximately three hundred members are spread across five reserves. The Nation's history, culture, language, traditional territory, interactive places, and a language map are set forth, and its elected chief and council are introduced. Member services, programs, bylaws, policies, a calendar of events, job postings, telephone and fax numbers, and an online contact form are available.
https://www.hupacasath.ca/
Based on Pachena Bay, on the west coast of Vancouver Island, northwest of Victoria, the First Nation government is a member of both the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council and the Maa-nulth Treaty Society. Its history, culture, and principles are outlined, and its chief, council, and staff are introduced, with contacts. A strategic plan, treaty implementation, legislation, election data, and public notices are featured, and member programs, services, videos, and publications are included.
https://huuayaht.org/
Kyuquot/Cheklesahht First Nation
Prior to 1951, the Kyuquot First Nation and the Cheklesath First Nation were separately managed and funded, although the Cheklesath people were few in number and did not receive adequate funding. The Cheklesets requested to live among the Kyuquot people, on Mission Island (Č'axwataqt), which was agreed to. A staff directory, staff roles, and its governing structure are defined, along with employment information, videos, news, reports, and contact information.
https://kyuquotbc.ca/
Linguistically and ethnographically related to the Nuu-chah-nulth and Ditidaht peoples of the West Coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, the Makah Tribe is a federally recognized American Indian tribe on the Makah Indian Reservation on the northwest tip of the Olympic Peninsula, including Tatoosh Island. Tribal history, governance, a program directory, updates, announcements, and employment opportunities are posted on the website, along with directions, and tribal attractions.
https://makah.com/
Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation
The Mowachaht people traditionally consisted of the Tahsis and Tlupana Inlet communities, while the Muchalaht traditionally inhabited the Muchalaht Inlet and the Gold River Valley, with Cheeshish and Ahaminaquus as their main villages. The Muchalaht merged with the Mowachaht in the 1950s. This section provides an introduction to the Nation, along with a gallery of photographs, tourism opportunities, cultural programs, and contacts. The main reserve is at Gold River.
https://www.yuquot.ca/
Situated about three hours west of Campbell River in a remote area of northwestern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, including the northern half of Nootka Island, the First Nation government is a member of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council. Its territory, chief, councils, staff directory, and an organizational chart are included, along with membership information and forms, updates from the nation, and employment opportunities. Community and economic planning programs are included.
https://www.nuchatlaht.com/
Based in Port Alberni, British Columbia, the Nuu-cha-nulth Tribal Council began as the West Coast Allied Tribes in 1958, then the West Coast District Society of Indian Chiefs and the West Coast District Council, before taking its current name in 1979. The Council represents several Nuu-cha-nulth First Nation governments and provides various services to them, as outlined here. Its regions, member nations, organizational goals, and governmental structure are outlined, and events are announced.
https://nuuchahnulth.org/
Nuu-chah-nulth Youth Warrior Family
The Warrior Program began in 2015 as a resource for the men of the Hitacu community on the west coast of Vancouver Island who wanted to learn on and from the land and were looking for brotherhood with whom to connect. While launched for adult men, only boys and teenagers attended, so their vision shaped what has become the Youth Warrior program. The group meets one night a week in Hitacu and one weekend a month in remote parts of the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ territory. Contacts are provided.
https://warriortoolkit.com/
Based on the west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, the Pacheedaht people are Nuu-chah-nulth by culture and language, although they are not members of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council. An outline of the Pacheedaht family tree is provided, along with its history, language, organization, and traditions. Treaties, claims, member services and resources, census data, and demographics. Relevant archives are also available for viewing. This is not an official Nation website.
https://www.portrenfrew.com/pacheedaht/
The Nuu-chah-nulth First Nation government lives on ten reserves along the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve on the west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The Nation. has two administrative offices, one at Opitsaht and the other at Tin Wis Resort in Tolino. Its administrative, education, finance, fisheries, health, housing, human services, public works, social development, natural resources, and registry offices are featured, with contacts, and its bylaws are included.
https://www.tla-o-qui-aht.org/
Toquaht (t̓uk̓ʷaaʔatḥ) First Nation
Among the smallest of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, the Toquaht First Nation is also a member of the Maa-nulth Treaty Society. Its culture, traditions, and language are outlined, including efforts to maintain or restore these, along with an overview of Toquaht lands, its organizational structure, treaty information, its constitution, legislation, strategic direction, and government-to-government relationships. Member programs and services are outlined.
https://toquaht.ca/
The Tseshaht (c̓išaaʔatḥ) First Nation is made up of several formerly independent tribes in central Vancouver Island. Its history, traditional territories, and celebrated figures are highlighted, and its governing structure, hereditary and elected chiefs, council, committees, policies, and other governing documents are included, along with its member programs, services, economic development programs, staff, facility rental policies, and links to other resources.
https://tseshaht.com/
The Uchucklesaht First Nation is a member of the Maa-nulth Treaty Society and the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council. The tribe has two villages (Cowishulth and Hilthatis) about twenty-four miles down the Barkley Sound, southwest of Port Alberni, along the west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Its executive and legislative branches, council, and administrative offices are featured, along with its departments, member programs and services, and citizenship policies.
https://www.uchucklesaht.ca/
Ucluelet (Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ) First Nation
Situated on the west coast of Vancouver Island, on the northwest side of Barkley Sound, members of the Nation reside in various areas, including Hitacu, Ucluelet, Port Alberni, Nanaimo, Campbell River, Victoria, Vancouver, and elsewhere in Canada and the United States. Its government, constitution, committees, departments, programs, and member services are featured, along with administrative contacts, a calendar of events, election information, and job openings.
https://www.ufn.ca/
