Wuikinuxv facts for kids
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| British Columbia | |
| Languages | |
| English, Oowekyala | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity, native | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Heiltsuk, Haisla, Kwakwaka'wakw |
The Wuikinuxv (pronounced Wee-kee-nook-v), also known as the Rivers Inlet people, are an Indigenous First Nations group. They live in the Central Coast area of British Columbia, Canada. Their traditional lands are around Rivers Inlet and Owikeno Lake, north of Queen Charlotte Strait. Sometimes, the Wuikinuxv and their neighbors, the Heiltsuk and Haisla, were mistakenly called "Northern Kwakiutl" in the past.
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History of the Wuikinuxv People
The main village of the Wuikinuxv is on Katit Indian Reserve No. 1. This village is located on an island in the Wannock River, which connects Owikeno Lake to Rivers Inlet. The name "Wannock" means "poison." This name comes from a story about an event in 1848.
In 1848, the Heiltsuk people invited the Wuikinuxv to a potlatch, which is a traditional feast and ceremony. However, it was a trick. The Heiltsuk attacked the Wuikinuxv as they arrived in their canoes. Many Wuikinuxv men were killed, and women and children were captured. The next morning, the Heiltsuk attacked Katil, one of the oldest Wuikinuxv villages. More people were killed, and many more women and children were captured. This sad event is why the river was named "Wannock."
Wuikinuxv Culture and Traditions
The Wuikinuxv culture is similar to other Indigenous peoples along the coast. In the past, their territory stretched from the mouth of Rivers Inlet all the way to the top of Owikeno Lake.
A special building called a Bighouse has recently been built. This is the first one in many years and is helping the Wuikinuxv community rebuild and strengthen their traditions.
Ethnobotany: How Plants Are Used
Ethnobotany is the study of how people use plants. The Wuikinuxv people traditionally use the berries of a plant called Vaccinium vitis-idaea ssp. minus as food.
Wuikinuxv Language: Oowekyala
The language spoken by the Wuikinuxv people is called Oowekyala. It is very similar to the Heiltsuk language. In fact, Oowekyala and Heiltsuk are considered two different forms (dialects) of one larger language called Heiltsuk-Oowekyala.
Oowekyala is also closely related to the Haisla language. It is also connected to Kwak'wala, which is the most common of the Northern Wakashan languages. Other languages like Nuu-chah-nulth, Ditidaht, and Makah are more distantly related.
Wuikinuxv Government and Leadership
The official government of the Wuikinuxv people is called the Wuikinuxv Nation. The Wuikinuxv Nation is part of a larger group called the Wuikinuxv-Kitasoo-Nuxalk Tribal Council. This council is based in the town of Bella Coola.
Location and Community Services
Today, the main community in Wuikinuxv territory is the small village of Rivers Inlet. It is located on the banks of the 3-kilometer-long Wannock River. Next to it is the community of Oweekeno, which is also a First Nations community but not on an Indian reserve.
Rivers Inlet has an airstrip, and there are daily flights from a local airline. During the summer, the flights can be very busy because of people traveling to and from sport-fishing camps.
