Kiix-in facts for kids
Kiix-in (pronounced "KEE-shin") was once a very important village for the Huu-ay-aht people. They are a group of the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations, who have lived on Vancouver Island in what is now British Columbia, Canada, for thousands of years. The name "Kiix-in" sounds like the waves crashing on the rocks near the village. It was first called "Keeshan" but was later officially renamed "Kiix-in" as part of the Maa-nulth Treaty.
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A Home for Thousands of Years
The Huu-ay-aht people have stories that say they lived in Kiix-in "since time began." Scientists who study old sites (archaeologists) have found proof that people lived there for thousands of years. This shows how important Kiix-in was to the Huu-ay-aht way of life.
Challenges and Return
At one point, another group called the Klallam attacked the Huu-ay-aht. This attack forced the Huu-ay-aht to leave their village of Kiix-in. However, they did not stay away forever. The Huu-ay-aht people were able to reclaim their village sometime before the year 1850.
Life in the Village
Life in Kiix-in was busy. A count of the people (a census) in 1874 showed that 246 people lived there. This tells us it was a lively and active community.
Moving On
In the late 1800s, around the 1880s or 1890s, the Huu-ay-aht people moved from Kiix-in. They settled in a new area called the Deer Group Islands. This move meant that Kiix-in was no longer an active village.
Kiix-in Today
Even though the village was abandoned, Kiix-in remains a very special place. In 1999 or 2000, it was made a National Historic Site of Canada. This means it is recognized as an important part of Canada's history.
A Well-Preserved Village
Kiix-in is known for having "the best preserved remains of any Nuu-chah-nulth traditional village." This makes it a unique and valuable site for learning about the past. It helps us understand how the Nuu-chah-nulth people lived.
Studying the Past
In 2002, a team of researchers worked with the Huu-ay-aht people. They studied one of the old houses in Kiix-in, named Quaksweaqwul. This study used a special method called dendroarchaeology.
What is Dendroarchaeology?
Dendroarchaeology is a way to find out the age of wooden structures. Researchers take small samples from the wood, like a tiny core. By looking at the tree rings in these samples, they can figure out when the trees were cut. For Quaksweaqwul, this study helped them guess that the house was built sometime after 1835.
