Ma'amtagila First Nation facts for kids
The Ma’amtagila First Nation are an Indigenous group of people who are part of the Kwakwaka'wakw peoples. They were once known as Mahteelthpe or Matilpi. Their traditional lands are located in the Discovery Islands in British Columbia, Canada. This area is found between Vancouver Island and the mainland, near the Queen Charlotte Strait and Johnstone Strait.
The Ma'amtagila are recognized by the many different tribes that make up the Kwakwaka'wakw-speaking peoples.
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History of the Ma'amtagila
For thousands of years, the Ma'amtagila lived in the area around what is now known as the Johnstone Strait. Their main villages were Etsekin (Matilpi Village) and Haylate. These places were very important to all Kwakwaka'wakw people.
Like other Kwakwaka'wakw groups, the Ma’amtagila are made up of several family groups called namimas. Each namima has its own leader. The three main namimas of the Ma’amtagila are the Hamatam (Seagull), Gixsam (Kulus, Thunderbird), and the Hayalikawa’yi (Healers). The name Ma’a̱mtagila comes from their ancestor, Matagila, who was a grey seagull. The Ma'amtagila are well-known for their skill in carving Cedar trees and creating beautiful silver items.
How the Name Changed Over Time
The name of the Ma'amtagila people has changed several times over the years, and it has also been spelled differently.
- In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the British and Canadian governments called them Mahteelthpe or Matilpi Tribe.
- In 1945, the "Matilpi Tribe" joined with the "Klowitsis Tribe." They formed a new group called the Turnour Island Band.
- In 1983, the "Turnour Island Band" changed its name to Tlowitsis-Mumtagila First Nation. Sometimes it was also spelled Maamtagila.
- In 1998, the name was shortened to just Tlowitsis First Nation. This removed any mention of the Ma'amtagila.
- In 2021, the Ma'amtagila people asked to be officially recognized again as the Ma'amtagila First Nation. They wanted their own distinct rights and land ownership to be acknowledged.
Life After European Contact
After British Columbia joined Canada in 1871, the Canadian government recognized the Ma'amtagila many times.
In 1879, a government group visited the Johnstone Strait. A commissioner named G.M. Sproat suggested setting aside four areas of land for the Matilpi Tribe. These "Indian" reserve lands were officially confirmed in 1886, covering about 59 acres. In 1902, the band's reserve land was made larger, reaching 145 acres.
In 1914, another government group, the Royal Commission on Indian Affairs, met with members of the "Mahteelthpe" Tribe. Chief Lagis spoke for his community. He explained that they were very worried about their lands. He said that most of their land had been taken by settlers. He also mentioned that many cedar and fir trees had been cut down and taken away. Chief Lagis stated that his ancestors had never received payment for these lands. He believed the land belonged to his family and children, and he wanted to get some of it back.
In its final report in 1916, the commission confirmed six reserves for the "Mahteelthpe or Matilipi Tribe":
- No. 1: Etsekin
- No. 2: Keecokiltum (Port Harvey)
- No. 3: Haylahte
- No. 4: Harkom (Port Neville)
- No. 5: Pawala
- No 6: Hanatsa
The report also noted that the village of Etsekin was mostly empty because of a smallpox outbreak in the 1880s. These six reserves were confirmed again in 1943.
Joining with the Tlowitsis First Nation
In 1945, the Matilpi Tribe joined with the nearby Klowitsis Tribe. They formed the Turnour Island Tribe. A government agent ordered this joining to make it easier to manage the two smaller tribes. The Matilpi members agreed to join, but they understood that their two chiefs would have equal power and responsibilities. In 1983, the name was changed to the Tlowitsis-Mumtagila First Nation. This new name was meant to better reflect the Indigenous names.
Over time, the relationship between the Tlowitsis and Ma'amtagila members became difficult. In 1998, the Tlowitsis leaders removed 'Mumtagila' from the group's name. It became just Tlowitsis First Nation. The chief at the time said that the Matilpi/Ma'amtagila had given up their land rights to the Tlowitsis chiefs. However, the Ma'amtagila people do not agree with this claim.
UVic Little Big House Campaign
In 2019, some Ma'amtagila members worked with the University of Victoria to build a Little Big House. This project is part of an effort by Indigenous people to show their right to govern themselves. It was led by Ma’amtagila elder Tsastilqualus Ambers Umbas, along with other Kwakwaka'wakw hereditary leaders.
Tsastilqualus and others plan to return to their traditional lands and waters near Hiladi. This place means “the place to make things right.” They want to confirm their Indigenous land rights and continue their traditional ways of governing.
The Little Big House is portable. It will help Tsastilqualus, her son Dakota, and other Indigenous people spend time on their land and water. This will help bring back cultural practices and strengthen traditional decision-making. It will also help them get traditional foods and medicines. The house will also be a place to share knowledge with younger generations.
The Little Big House will also help with efforts to resist harmful activities. It will be a base for the Wild Salmon Matriarch Camp. This group watches and records industrial activities. They also start campaigns against logging and fish farming that harm the land and water. The Little Big House will support the Ma’amtagila people as they work to make things right.
Matt Ambers, a Ma'amtagila member and university student, said, "Right now, we're not on the land. But if we start to move back to the land and use our resources again, it becomes very hard for them to keep taking what is ours."
Treaty Process
The Ma'amtagila people have never signed a treaty with the Government of Canada. This means their traditional territory has not been given up to anyone.
The Tlowitsis First Nation has been in treaty negotiations and has reached Stage 4 of the process.
On March 3, 2021, the Ma'amtagila First Nation released a statement. They said that the Tlowitsis leaders were wrongly negotiating about Ma'amtagila territory. They stated that the Tlowitsis had no right to do this. They asked the governments of Canada and British Columbia to stop treaty talks with the Tlowitsis Chief & Council right away.
The statement explained that the Ma'amtagila have been ignored and disrespected by the governments. But they said, "we are still here." They also said they still care for their Tlowitsis relatives, their nation, and their traditional Potlatch governance.
Noah Ross, a lawyer for the Ma'amtagila, said, "The Ma'amtagila Hereditary Chiefs are the true representatives of the Ma'amtagila people. They still hold the Aboriginal rights and title in their territories." He added, "The Tlowitsis First Nation has no right to give up Ma'amtagila territory in treaty talks with the Provincial and Federal government."
In their statement, the Ma'amtagila First Nation asked for treaty negotiations to stop. They want the historical disagreement between the Ma'amtagila and the Tlowitsis to be solved first.
