Tlowitsis Nation facts for kids
The Tlowitsis Nation is a group of Indigenous peoples in Canada. They are part of the larger Kwakwaka'wakw family. Their traditional lands are located near Vancouver Island and the mainland of British Columbia. This area includes the Queen Charlotte Strait and Johnstone Strait.
In the past, their main village was Kalugwis on Turnour Island. Today, the Tlowitsis Nation's main office is in Campbell River. One of their most populated communities is Hanatsa IR No. 6 on Port Neville. The Tlowitsis Nation was once known by other names, like the Klowitsis Tribe and the Turnour Island Band.
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The Tlowitsis Nation and the Ma'amtagila have a long and sometimes difficult history together. The Ma'amtagila are also known as Mahteelthpe or Mumtagila.
In 1879, the Canadian government officially recognized both the Klowitsis Tribe and the Matilpi Tribe. Each of these groups had their own land reserves and their own leaders.
Joining Together: The Turnour Island Tribe
In 1945, the Klowitsis Tribe and the Matilpi Tribe were asked to join together. This was done to create the Turnour Island Tribe. A government official called the Indian Agent ordered this change. It was meant to make it easier to manage these two smaller groups.
The Matilpi people agreed to join the Klowitsis Tribe. They did so with the understanding that both of their leaders would govern equally. This meant they would share power and responsibilities.
Name Changes Over Time
In 1983, the combined group changed its name again. It became the Tlowitsis-Mumtagila First Nation. This new name was chosen to better reflect the traditional Indigenous names of the groups.
However, in 1998, the name 'Mumtagila' was removed. The leaders of the Tlowitsis First Nation said that the Matilpi/Ma'amtagila had given up their rights and power over their lands to the Tlowitsis leaders. The Ma'amtagila people do not agree with this claim.
The Ma'amtagila Today
The Ma'amtagila people say they still exist as a separate nation today. They have their own special songs and oral histories. Other Kwakwaka'wakw-speaking tribes also recognize them.
Their main homes were Matilpi Village and Haylate. Elders from many Kwakwaka'wakw tribes say the Ma'amtagila were the "protectors" of their people. These locations were important because they were central to the Kwakwaka'wakw lands. This allowed them to defend both the northern and southern tribes. The Ma'amtagila were also well-known for harvesting cedar trees and for their carving skills.
Tlowitsis Nation Lands: Indian Reserves
Indian reserves are special areas of land set aside for the use of First Nations in Canada. The Tlowitsis Nation manages several of these reserves:
- Aglakumna IR No. 4A, on the south shore of Harbledown Island, 4.10 hectares. 50°33′00″N 126°39′00″W / 50.55000°N 126.65000°W
- Aglakmuna-la IR No. 2, on Klaoitsis Island in Beware Passage, 0.30 hectares. 50°34′00″N 126°31′00″W / 50.56667°N 126.51667°W
- Coffin Island IR No. 3, on Kamano (Coffin) Island, 6.10 hectares. 50°34′00″N 126°30′00″W / 50.56667°N 126.50000°W
- Etsekin IR No. 1, on the east shore of Havannah Channel, 13.20 hectares. 50°33′30″N 126°11′12″W / 50.55833°N 126.18667°W
- Hanatsa IR No. 6, on the south shore of Port Neville, 95.10 hectares. 50°32′00″N 125°58′00″W / 50.53333°N 125.96667°W
- Haylahte IR No. 3, at the mouth of the Adam River, 19.0 hectares. 50°28′00″N 126°16′00″W / 50.46667°N 126.26667°W
- Karlukwees IR No. 1, on the south shore of Turnour Island, 10.80 hectares. 50°34′45″N 126°29′54″W / 50.57917°N 126.49833°W
- Keecekiltum IR No. 2, on the east shore of Port Harvey, 11.70 hectares. 50°33′00″N 126°16′00″W / 50.55000°N 126.26667°W
- Pawala IR No. 5, at the head of Call Inlet, 1.0 hectare. 50°37′00″N 125°55′00″W / 50.61667°N 125.91667°W
- Port Neville IR No. 4, at the head of Port Neville, 14.9 hectares. 50°34′00″N 125°56′00″W / 50.56667°N 125.93333°W
- Small Island IR No. 4, on Small Island in Beware Passage, 0.20 hectares. 50°34′00″N 126°29′00″W / 50.56667°N 126.48333°W
Working Towards a Treaty
The Tlowitsis Nation is part of the BC Treaty Process. This is a way for First Nations, the Canadian government, and the British Columbia government to negotiate agreements. These agreements are called treaties. They help define rights to land, resources, and self-governance.
The Tlowitsis Nation has reached Stage 4 in this process. This means they are actively negotiating their own treaty. They are working independently with both the Canadian and British Columbia governments.
Population of the Tlowitsis Nation
The Tlowitsis Nation has 372 registered members.
