Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nations
Smith Inlet, Seymour Inlet and Blunden Harbour
The Gwa'sala-'Nakwaxda'xw Nations belong to the Wakashan language group and are part of the Kwakwaka'wakw group of nations.
The main community of the Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nations is located close to Port Hardy. Their territory encompasses Smith Inlet, Seymour Inlet and Blunden Harbour, on BC’s South Central Coast.
Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nations
Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nations are an amalgamation of two tribes, including the Gwa’sala people who lived around Smith Inlet and the surrounding islands, and the ‘Nakwaxda’xw people who inhabited Seymour Inlet and its surrounding islands.
Today the Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nations’ main community is located near Port Hardy on the north east coast of Vancouver Island.
The Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nations belong to the Wakashan language group and are considered a member of the Kwakwaka’wakw group of nations.
The Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nations are committed to preserving their distinct culture, language, and traditions. The vision for their community encompasses the importance of culture, the value of community well-being, and the importance of caring for the natural environment.
Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nations’ vision:
Exist forever as the Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw people, building on the legacy left to us by our ancestors and moving towards a bright future.
Related to Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nations
Return to the Homelands: Establishing the Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw Guardian Watchmen Program
After a forced relocation separated the Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nations from their homelands, the creation of a Guardian Watchmen program is helping strengthen the Nations’ stewardship practices and cultural connections.
Reclaiming Control: How the Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw are Determining their Economic Future
Through in-depth community consultations, the establishment of the k̓awat̕si Economic Development Corporation reinvigorated the economic heartbeat of a community.
Coastal Guardian Watchmen Network Featured in Sierra Magazine
First Nations in the Great Bear Rainforest and Haida Gwaii, and across the entirety of what is now called Canada, have been stewarding their lands and waters for millennia. Since the onset of colonialism, Indigenous Peoples have worked tirelessly—through litigation, direct action, and diplomacy—to assert their continued role and responsibility as stewards of their territories
Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Showcase Culture and History in Unique New Hotel on Vancouver Island
Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nation creativity and entrepreneurial optimism shone May 17 in Port Hardy during a ceremony to officially launch the Kwa’lilas Hotel, a game-changing economic venture for its people and a significant contribution to the tourism offerings of Vancouver Island.
Gwa’sala-’Nakwaxda’xw builds Kwa’lilas, a new First Nations hotel in Port Hardy
Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw is developing a new First Nations hotel to provide a level of luxury northern Vancouver Island has never had.
How A People Live
A new documentary traces the history of the Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw First Nation, who were forcibly relocated from their territories in 1964.
Gwa'sala-'Nakwaxda'xw Organizations and Resources
Online Resources
- Our Ways - Gwa'sala-'Nakwaxda'xw Digital Storytelling
Gwa'sala-'Nakwaxda'xw Nations
- How A People Live - The inspiring story of the resilient Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nations
CBC Player
- Gwa'sala-'Nakwaxda'xw Nations
Sasamans Society – Voices of Our Children
- Ba'as (Blunden Harbour) Gallery
Simon Fraser University - The Bill Reid Centre
- T'a̱kus (Smith Inlet) Gallery
Simon Fraser University - The Bill Reid Centre
- Kwa'lilas Hotel Feature Copper Wall
A 3-minute video about how Gwa'sala-'Nakwaxda'xw Nations elders and artists came together to infuse every aspect of the Nations' new hotel with Gwa'sala-'Nakwaxda'xw art and culture.
- Kwa'lilas Hotel
A 3-minute video about the Gwa'sala-'Nakwaxda'xw Nations' newest business venture: a luxurious hotel in Port Hardy, graced by Gwa'sala-'Nakwaxda'xw art and culture in everything from its lobby and rooms to top-notch menu and cultural tours.
Related Protected Areas
- Allison Harbour Marine Provincial Park
- Catto Creek Conservancy
- Duke of Edinburgh Ecological Reserve
- Mahpahkum-Ahkwuna Deserters-Walker Conservancy
- Neǧiƛ/Nekite Estuary Conservancy
- Tsa-Latl / Smokehouse Conservancy
- Ugʷiwa’/Cape Caution Conservancy
- Ugʷiwa’/Cape Caution-Blunden Bay Conservancy
- Ẁaẁaƛ/Seymour Estuary Conservancy
- Biodiversity, Mining and Tourism Areas