Nuxalk Nation

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Nuxalk Nation
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Nuxalk Nation masks, collection of the UBC Museum of Anthropology
Total population
(1,479[1])
Regions with significant populations
Bella Coola, British Columbia
Languages
English, Nuxálk
Related ethnic groups
other Nuxalk people

The Nuxalk Nation is the band government of the Nuxalk people of Bella Coola, British Columbia. It is a member of the Oweekeno-Kitasoo-Nuxalk Tribal Council, and until March 2008 was a member of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization. The population is 1,479.[1]

Etymology

"Nuxalk" is singular; "Nuxalkmc" is plural.

Community

Q'umk'uts', a Nuxalk village that currently includes the majority of the Nuxalk population, is located in the Bella Coola Valley, in British Columbia. It is on the Nation's primary reserve (which is much smaller than the Nation's traditional territory), adjacent to the Bella Coola "townsite", the Central business district for the Valley. Nuxalk Hall is a community center, where potlatches and social events are held. The Nuxalk Basketball Association hosts games in the hall.[1]

The Nuxalkmc people are Coast Salish.

Language

The Nuxalk Nation traditionally has spoken the Nuxalk language. Today there are an estimated 40 fluent speakers, 80 conversational speakers, and 140 learning speakers.[1] Recent (from 2014) work has included the creation of Nuxalk-language radio programming, work towards an expanded Nuxalk-English dictionary and a new online phrasebook.

History

Located at the mouth of the Bella Coola River, the nation was only accessible by foot, air, or boat until 1953, when a road was constructed. Nuxalk people have lived in the region for millennia. Norwegian people settled in the area in the 1890s.[1]

Herbalism

The Nuxalk apply a poultice of pounded roots of Ranunculus acris to boils.[2]

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "Nuxalk Nation." First Peoples' Language Map of British Columbia. Retrieved 11 Aug 2013.
  2. ↑ Smith, Harlan I. 1929 Materia Medica of the Bella Coola and Neighboring Tribes of British Columbia. National Museum of Canada Bulletin 56:47-68 (p. 57)

It is estimated the population of the Nuxalkmc people were in the thousands amongst different villages. Stories suggest there were approximately ten thousand to thirty thousand spanning the whole Bella Coola Valley and surrounding inlets.

See also

External links

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