Gwawaenuk Tribe facts for kids

The Gwawaenuk Tribe is a First Nations group in British Columbia, Canada. They are part of the larger Kwakwakaʼwakw people. Their home is in the Queen Charlotte Strait area, on the Central Coast of British Columbia. It's a remote place, about 160 to 240 kilometers from the nearest town. There are no year-round roads to their community.

Language and Culture

The Gwawaenuk people speak a special language called Kwakʼwala. As of 2012, about half of the tribe still speaks it. Their specific way of speaking Kwak'wala is known as the "Gwawaenuk" dialect.

Community Facts

The Gwawaenuk Tribe is recognized as First Nation number 627. They have about 39 members. Their community is one of about 175 Aboriginal communities in Canada that are "off-the-grid." This means they don't connect to the main power lines.

Gwawaenuk Reserves

The Gwawaenuk Tribe manages several Indian reserves. These are special areas of land set aside for the First Nations people. Here are some of their reserves:

• Dove Island Indian Reserve No. 12: This is all of Dove Island. It's at the entrance to Actress Pass, where Actaeon Sound meets Drury Inlet. It covers 8.10 hectares.
• Gleyka Indian Reserve No. 6: This reserve is on the east side of Actaeon Sound. It is 3.20 hectares.
• Hopetown Indian Reserve No. 10A: Located on the south shore of Watson Island in Grappler Sound. It is 2.40 hectares.
• Kadis Indian Reserve No. 11: This reserve covers all of Dickson Island. It is at the west end of Broughton Island and is 128.60 hectares.
• Keogh Indian Reserve No. 6: Found at the east end of Mackenzie Sound, north of Queen Charlotte Strait. It is 4.30 hectares.
• Kunstamis Indian Reserve No. 2: This reserve is on the north shore of Claydon Bay, in Grappler Sound, near Wells Passage. It covers 7.0 hectares.
• Kunstamis Indian Reserve No. 2A: Located on the west shore of Claydon Bay, next to IR No. 2. It is 39.20 hectares.
• Lawanth Indian Reserve No. 5: This reserve is at the end of Embley Lagoon, in Grappler Sound, north of Wells Passage. It is 5.70 hectares.
• Magwekstala Indian Reserve No. 10: On the east shore of Burly Bay, in Hopetown Passage, south of Watson Island. It is 3.80 hectares.
• Quay Indian Reserve No. 4: Found at the north end of Nimmo Bay on Mackenzie Sound. It is 4.0 hectares.

Community Projects and Challenges

The Gwawaenuk Tribe has been involved in important community efforts.

Fighting Diabetes

In 2009, the Gwawaenuk Tribe started a successful project to help fight diabetes. It was called "Diabetes and My Nation." This program taught people about healthy eating, including traditional foods. It also encouraged physical activity through community events. For example, a "young warriors program" had youth build and race a canoe. This project was very successful.

Protecting Wild Salmon

The Gwawaenuk people rely on marine life, especially salmon, for food. They are concerned about fish farming near their territory. In 2011, a virus affecting salmon was found in wild sockeye salmon in British Columbia. Gwawaenuk Chief Charlie Williams has strongly opposed salmon farming in his area. He worries about how it affects the environment and wild salmon.

The tribe's territory is around Watson Island in the Broughton Archipelago. In 2003, they joined with the Sierra Club to file a lawsuit. This was because sea lice had harmed many wild pink salmon. The lawsuit asked to stop open net cage salmon farms in the Broughton area. It also asked to prevent the use of certain pesticides. The tribe has learned to use GIS (Geographic Information Systems) to map their coast. This helps them manage their lands and waters.

Supporting Residential School Survivors

Hereditary Chief Robert Joseph has played a special role. He worked as an adviser for the Indian Residential School Survivors Society. This group helps people who suffered abuse at Indian boarding schools. These schools were open until 1966. Chief Joseph worked with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada to help survivors.

Traditional Art

Traditional Gwawaenuk masks are displayed at the Museum at Campbell River. These masks show the rich culture and history of the Gwawaenuk people.