Lake Cowichan First Nation facts for kids
The Ts'uubaa-asatx Nation (formerly known as the Lake Cowichan First Nation) is an Indigenous group located in Lake Cowichan, British Columbia. In their own language, this town is called baluxwaqst, which means "Lake Cowichan Town."
Even though the Ts'uubaa-asatx Nation is its own unique group, they have close ties to the Cowichan Tribes. The Cowichan Tribes are the largest group among the Coast Salish people. The Cowichan Tribes speak a dialect of Halkomelem called "Hul'qumi'num (Island dialect)." The Ts'uubaa-asatx people have adopted this dialect from their neighbors, so they are now considered part of the Hul'qumi'num language group.
As of April 2022, there are 26 registered members of the Ts'uubaa-asatx Nation. Their reserve, called Cowichan Lake Reserve, is located on the north side of Cowichan Lake. It covers about 42.70 hectares (about 105 acres).
The name Ts'uubaa-asatx means "People of the Lake," referring to Cowichan Lake. Because of their name, they are sometimes confused with the nearby Cowichan Tribes. The Cowichan Tribes are known as Quw'utsun Mustimuhw or Quw'utsun Hwulmuhw, meaning "People of the Warm Land."
The Ts'uubaa-asatx people once spoke a special dialect of the Ditidaht language, which is part of the South Wakashan (Nootkan) language family. Today, they are working hard to bring back their original culture and language. They are getting help from the Nuu-chah-nulth and Ditidaht First Nation peoples.
When it comes to official discussions with the government about treaties (agreements), the Ts'uubaa-asatx Nation is part of the "Hul'qumi'num Treaty Group" along with the Cowichan Tribes.
History of the Ts'uubaa-asatx Nation
Early visitors to the Lake Cowichan area described a small group of Indigenous people living there. They lived in homes made from bark. During the 1800s, the Ts'uubaa-asatx Nation faced very difficult times. Many people were lost due to illnesses like smallpox and conflicts with other groups.
In 1887, a surveyor named Ashdown Green reported that the Lake Cowichan people had once been a large group. However, their numbers had greatly reduced because of wars with the neighboring Cowichan Tribes and Ditidaht First Nation. In 1860, a prospector named Samuel Harris visited the area looking for minerals. He also reported that many Indigenous people were sick and dying from smallpox.
Archaeological studies have found evidence of a historic village on the northeast side of the lake. This village was located within the area of what is now the Cowichan Lake Indian Reserve. These findings show that the Ts'uubaa-asatx people have lived in this area for a very long time.
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