Klahowya!
Klahowya is a Chinook trade language greeting, Chinook was/and is used all along the northwest coast.
First Nations cultures and languages are diverse.
Raincoast Education Society operates in the territories of hiškʷiiʔatḥ (Hesquiaht First Nation), ʕaaḥuusʔatḥ (Ahousaht), ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ (Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations), Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government (Ucluelet First Nation), and tukʷaaʔatḥ (Toquaht Nation).
In the spirit of truth, healing, and reconciliation, important efforts are underway to help uphold and protect Indigenous languages and knowledge.
In this storymap, we begin to explore Tla-o-qui-aht place names with Gisele, an Indigenous guardian from ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ / Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation.
Gisele Martin
Gisele Maria Martin (they/she/he/ʔiš) is an Indigenous Cultural Lifeways and Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks guardian, public speaker, educator, outdoor guide, writer, photographer and artist. Gisele also works with RES on a diversity of projects including this Place Name StoryMap, which is a work in progress.
Indigenous knowledge, Cultural Lifeways and history are vital to the successful continued protection of these places.
Tla-o-qui-aht Place Names
Načiks
pronounced Na-chiks, also known as 'Tofino'
Načiks is in the Ḥaaḥuułi of the ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ Ḥaw̓iiḥ
ƛaakašiis
pronounced Tlaa-ka-shiis, also known as 'Tonquin Beach Park'
ƛaakašiis is in the Ḥaaḥuułi of the ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ Ḥaw̓iiḥ. The name of this place is demonstrated by what whales have enjoyed doing here for generations, which is to stand up, either on the tips of their tails to spy-hop and look around, or to stand on their heads with tails in the air.
Hiłḥuuʔis
pronounced Hilth-huu-is, also known as 'Mt Colnet'
Ḥiłwinʔis is in the Ḥaaḥuułi of the ƛaʔiikʷiʔatḥ Ḥaw̓iiḥ. This mountain’s forests provide Tofino’s drinking water, and continue to be protected by Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks.
Ḥiłwinʔis
pronounced Hilth-win-is, also known as 'Middle Beach'
Ḥiłwinʔis, is in the Ḥaaḥuułi of the ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ Ḥaw̓iiḥ. This is a peaceful place to watch for marine life.
Tin̓uwis
pronounced Ti-nu-wis, also known as 'MacKenzie Beach'
Tin̓uwis is in the Ḥaaḥuułi of the ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ Ḥaw̓iiḥ. This is the site of a Tla-o-qui-aht village, and is also where one of Canadas infamous Indian Residential Schools operated, which closed in the mid 1980’s. Tin̓uwis is usually a calm water beach.
C̓ixwatsac
pronounced Tsix-wat-sats, also known as ‘Frank Island’
C̓ixwatsac is in the Ḥaaḥuułi of the ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ Ḥaw̓iiḥ. This island has long been the nesting site of eagles, who feed on sea birds nearby. The name C̓ixwatsac comes from the name of eagle, C̓ixwatin.
Č ̓aḥayis
pronounced Cha-ha-yis, also known as 'Cox Bay'
Č ̓aḥayis is in the Ḥaaḥuułi of the ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ Ḥaw̓iiḥ. Č ̓aḥayis always has surf, which is indicated in the meaning of the place name.
Nac̓aas
pronounced Nats-as, also known as Radar Hill
Nac̓aas is in the Ḥaaḥuułi of the ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ Ḥaw̓iiḥ. This is a wonderful place to look out over the land and see a view of some of the Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks.
T̓iičakḥsaʔa
pronounced Tiich-akh-sa-a, also known as ‘Grice Bay Point’
T̓iičakḥsaʔa is in the Ḥaaḥuułi of the ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ Ḥaw̓iiḥ. This is a peaceful place and home for many species of birds.
C̓ašiiwa
pronounced Tsa-shii-wa, also known as 'Incinerator Rock' (the Army use to burn garbage here!)
C̓ašiiwa is in the Ḥaaḥuułi of the ƛaʔiikʷiʔatḥ Ḥaw̓iiḥ. A place where the surf is always loud. This is reflected in the meaning of the ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ / Tla-o-qui-aht place name.
Čaw̓inʔis
pronounced Cha-win-is, also known as 'Lovekin Rock'
Čaw̓inʔis is in the Ḥaaḥuułi of the ƛaʔiikʷiʔatḥ Ḥaw̓iiḥ. Please look from afar the waves pulse against it, but do not climb.
Yaaqsis
pronounced Yaaq-sis, also known as 'Long Beach'
Yaaqsis is in the Ḥaaḥuułi of the ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ Ḥaw̓iiḥ. The name Yaaqsis means ‘Long Beach’. This is an important historical site and habitat for ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ / Tla-o-qui-aht flora and fauna.
Muuyapił
pronounced Muu-ya-pilth, also known as ‘Green Point'
Muuyapił is in the Ḥaaḥuułi of the ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ Ḥaw̓iiḥ. The name of this site indicates that it is the 4th rock in the middle of Yaaqsis, Long Beach.
More Place Names
Hisaaw̓ista
pronounced hisaa-wis-ta, also known as 'Esowista'
Wanačas Hiłḥuuʔis
pronounced Wa-na-chas Hilth-huu-is, also known as 'Meares Island'
Tukʷnit
pronounced Tukw-nit, also known as 'Sealion Rocks'
ƛ ̓aƛ ̓atḥʔis
pronounced tla-tlat-h-is, also known as 'Wickaninnish Sand Dunes'
Qatw̓aatuw̓is
pronounced qat-waa-tu-wis, also known as 'Halfmoon Bay'
Yuułuuʔił
pronounced yuu-thluu-ilth, also known as 'Ucluelet'
ʔaʔukmin
pronounced a-uk-min, also known as 'Kennedy Lake'
Raincoast Education Society
We work to shape an environmentally sustainable future for the Clayoquot and Barkley Sound region through education and community stewardship.
Visit our website to learn more about our education programs and research projects.
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