Culture and Heritage Study, Marine Resource Sites and Activities, Maa-nulth First Nations Uchucklesaht Tribe Project Final Report Illustration of “Ouchucklesit Village” by Frederick Whymper, 1864. Beinecke Library, Yale. Prepared for Uchucklesaht Tribe by Traditions Consulting Services, Inc. Chatwin Engineering Ltd. March 12, 2004 “But the ocean is more the home of these people than the land, and the bounteous gifts of nature in the former element seem more to their taste and are more easily procured than the beasts of the forest.... ...Without a question these people are the richest in every respect in British Columbia...” George Blenkinsop, 1874. Note to Reader Thanks is offered to the Maa­nulth First Nations for their support of the project for which this is the Final Report, and especially to the h=aw`iih (chiefs), elders and cultural advisors who have shared their knowledge in the past, and throughout the project. In this report, reference is made to “Maa­nulth First Nations,” a recent term. Within the context of this report, that term is intended to refer to the Huu­ay­aht First Nation, the Uchucklesaht Tribe, the Toquaht First Nation, the Ucluelet First Nation, the Ka:'yu:k't'h/Che:k'tles7et'h' First Nation, and to the tribes and groups that were their predecessors. No attempt has been made to standardize the linguistic transcription of native names or words in this report. These are presented in the manner in which they were encountered in various source materials. Management Summary This is the Final Report for the Culture and Heritage Study, Marine Resource Sites and Activities, Maa­nulth First Nations. The Maa­nulth First Nations include the Huu­ay­aht First Nation, the Uchucklesaht Tribe, the Toquaht First Nation, the Ucluelet First Nation, and the Ka:'yu:k't'h/Che:k'tles7et'h' First Nation. Previous Traditional Use Studies have been conducted that developed data for each of the Maa­nulth First Nations (MFN). The purpose of the Culture and Heritage Study of the Marine Resource Sites and Activities of the MFN is to fill significant gaps, identified by the MFN, in the available information concerning their “traditional use sites” and activities. Specifically, the project is intended to provide information required to assist and expedite consultations and negotiations regarding marine resources and areas by: • further enhancing the ability of the MFN to collect, organize, map and manage information about cultural heritage sites of significance to their communities; • developing mutually agreed to datasets and maps of MFN marine cultural heritage sites and activities for use during consultations, negotiations and at the treaty table; and • developing consensus in each community concerning project results, and the application of the project data. In brief, the project pursued the following objectives: • gathered existing information; • researched additional information on marine cultural heritage sites and activities; • collated information on marine cultural heritage sites into a database and GIS to acceptable standards; and • conducted 3 separate consultations with each MFN community concerning the project, including public discussions. The project commenced on June 23rd, 2003, and was completed on January 31st, 2004. Project tasks were completed according to schedule, with minor exceptions. The Final Report presents the project results, commencing with sections that provide the historical and ethnographic context for MFN marine resource use. A history of research is presented, beginning with a summary of descriptions about the Maa­nulth from early historical records, government records, and followed by reviews of anthropological research, traditional use studies and cultural heritage studies about the MFN. A summary of ethnographic information is next provided, including discussions of traditional social organization and governance, and resource use and management, particularly as these relate to marine resources. Next, the ethnographic histories of each of the Maa­nulth First Nations is summarized, followed by descriptions of the traditional methods of harvesting and utilizing marine resources. The final report sections discuss the results of the project’s research on cultural heritage sites and summarize information included in the deliverables, mostly concerning the cultural heritage site databases and GIS. The project achieved significant results. At the outset of the project, there were 2,762 cultural heritage sites recorded in the Maa­nulth First Nations’ cultural heritage site databases and GIS data. At the conclusion of the project, the number of sites had increased by 783 sites, resulting in a total of 3,545 sites, and representing an increase of 28% in the number of documented sites. There were significant increases in cultural heritage site data for each First Nation. In addition to the increase in the number of cultural heritage sites included in the project’s databases and GIS, other achievements included: • reviews of previous research, and improvements in completeness and accuracy of existing records; • additional information researched and recorded for previously documented sites; • enhancements in the ability of the MFN to research and manage information about cultural heritage sites; • research and organization of information on the traditional context for marine cultural heritage sites and activities, and • presentation of project information at community consultations. Table of Contents INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................ 1 STUDY AREAS .................................................................................................................................... 2 PROJECT PERSONNEL.................................................................................................................... 8 METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................................................... 8 DELIVERABLES................................................................................................................................. 9 INFORMATION SHARING .............................................................................................................. 9 PROJECT METHODOLOGY AND SCHEDULE....................................................................... 10 RESULTS............................................................................................................................................. 13 HISTORY OF RESEARCH....................................................................................................................14 Early Accounts of the Maa-nulth First Nations........................................................................ 14 Early Government Records........................................................................................................ 29 Anthropological Research.......................................................................................................... 32 Traditional Use Studies and Cultural Heritage Site Studies ...................................................39 MAA-NULTH FIRST NATIONS’ ETHNOGRAPHIC CONTEXT ......................................... 43 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................. 43 SOCIAL ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNANCE...................................................................................44 LOCAL GROUPS AND TRIBES ........................................................................................................... 46 H=AHUU>I........................................................................................................................................... 47 H=AW`IIH (CHIEFS) AND CHIeFTAINSHIP ...........................................................................................48 SPECIALISTS...................................................................................................................................... 51 MASTCHIM AND SLAVES..................................................................................................................51 RESOURCES AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ..................................................................................52 MARRIAGE AND KINSHIP .................................................................................................................53 CEREMONIALS .................................................................................................................................. 54 TRADE, DIPLOMACY, AND WAR...................................................................................................... 55 SUMMARY OF ETHNOGRAPHIC CONTEXT........................................................................................56 FIRST NATIONS HISTORIES ....................................................................................................... 62 HUU-AY-AHT HISTORY ....................................................................................................................62 UCHUCKLESAHT HISTORY ...............................................................................................................64 TOQUAHT HISTORY ..........................................................................................................................66 UCLUELET HISTORY.........................................................................................................................70