Memkumlis facts for kids

Memkumlis is an important village on the west side of Village Island in the Johnstone Strait area of the Central Coast of British Columbia. It's also known by several other names like Meem Quam Leese, Memkoomlish, Memqumlis, mimkumlis, or Mi'mkwamlis. This village is the traditional home of the Mamalilikala people, who are a subgroup of the larger Kwakwaka'wakw nation.

The village is located on Mahmalillikullah Indian Reserve No. 1, which was created in 1886, along Eliot Passage. The name Memkumlis has a special meaning. It can be translated as "village with rocks and islands out front." A famous chief and carver named Mungo Martin translated it as "group of little islands." Another expert, Franz Boas, said it meant "round things [islands] in front at beach." All these translations describe the many small islands near the village.

History of Memkumlis

Memkumlis has a long and interesting history. In the 1850s, another village called Gwayasdums, which belonged to the Kwikwasut'inux people, faced a difficult time. After their village was destroyed by the Nuxalk people, the survivors found a new home and joined the Mamalilikulla people at Memkumlis.

The village itself also faced challenges. In 1892, a fire partly destroyed Memkumlis. However, the community worked together to rebuild it, showing their strength and resilience.

The number of people living in Memkumlis changed a lot over time. Around 1836 to 1841, before the Kwikwasut'inux people moved there, the village had about 2000 residents. This shows it was a large and busy community. But by 1911, the population had decreased significantly to only 90 people.