Nanoose First Nation facts for kids
The Nanoose First Nation, also known as the Snaw-naw-as First Nation, is a self-governing group of Indigenous people in Canada. They live on central Vancouver Island in southwestern British Columbia, near the community of Nanoose Bay.
The Snaw-naw-as people are part of the larger Coast Salish group. They are one of the most northern tribes on the east side of Vancouver Island. They speak a language called Hul’q’umi’num’. This language is one of three main types, or dialects, of Halkomelem. Halkomelem is spoken by Indigenous groups from Nanoose all the way to Oregon.
The name Snaw-naw-as comes from a story about a brave survivor from a long time ago. The word “Naus” means “the way in the harbour.” You might see the name spelled in different ways, like Snonoose, Sno-no-was, Nuas, Nanooa, and Snuwnuwus.
The Nanoose First Nation is also a member of the Naut'sa mawt Tribal Council. This council is a group that helps different First Nations governments work together and support each other.
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