Haisla

The name of the Haisla people translates to, “dwellers downriver”, and today are centered in Kitamaat Village at the head of the Douglas Channel in British Columbia.  They have occupied their lands for over 9000 years. Much like many other cultures of the Northwest Coast, the Haisla depended on Salmon as a staple and much of their identity is tied to working and living off of the water. Every spring, many tribal members still travel to the Kemano River to fish for oolichan, the first fish to spawn in local rivers after the passing of a cold winter. Oolichan has been an important resource and presence for the Haisla for thousands of years. It can be boiled down to highly valuable grease and also used for medicinal purposes. The geographical location of their homelands places them in a position to make the most of saltwater inlets, fertile rivers, and lush forests for thousands of years onward.