Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations
The Nuu-chah-nulth, meaning
'people of the mountains and the sea', are as different from
other tribes as the environments they inhabit. You won't find
a whaling canoe on the prairies, or a longhouse in the arctic.
Here on the west coast of Vancouver Island a culture has developed
over the last 10,000 years, between a powerful, bountiful ocean
and a rainforest thick with medicinal plants, giant trees, lush
green flora and creatures great and small.
Tlaook Cultural Adventures operates within the territory of the Tla-o-qui-aht people, who are part of the Nuu-chah-nulth language group. This group of 14 tribal bands inhabit the west coast of Vancouver Island and the most northern tip of Washington State.
The name Tlaook, meaning 'different' comes with a long history attached to it. Hundreds of years ago several extended families who were living around Kennedy lake banded together to make a move to the outer beaches. The resources of the lake were no longer enough to support them. These people, who had long been know for their peaceful nature, transformed into brave and formidable warriors, and came out of the lake to conquer the people who would not share the resources of the outer coast. The origins of the Tla-o-qui-aht stem from this joining of different families into one band, and the change of that band, for a time, from peaceful people into the warlike people that expanded their territory to encompass the Esowista peninsula and Meares Island. It is interesting to note that "Esowista" translates from Nuu-chah-nulth loosely into English as "clubbed to death". So Tofino is located on the "clubbed to death" peninsula! We bet you didn't know that!
The Tla-o-qui-aht have now returned to their more peaceful ways. We invite you to come and hear more stories, eat with us, and paddle with us in our canoes.
