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There is no task more important for a First Nation than to identify, protect and interpret its cultural heritage resources. Evidence of past and present ‘Namgis use of its territory is important for many reasons. Archaeological sites and culturally modified trees provide strong evidence of aboriginal ownership. Interviews with ‘Namgis members that recount traditional use activities or namima origin stories add other important layers of fact to treaty negotiations and other dealings with Canada and British Columbia. Research into the ways that the ‘Namgis and other Kwakwaka’wakw communities managed natural resources can strongly influence the way in which fish and wildlife are protected and used in the present. Although we are very much a people of the present…we must always protect the places, artifacts, songs and stories that define our past!
Recent Projects:
Culturally Modified Tree Data Base
In 2003 the ‘Namgis First Nation began to support the training and employment of a ‘Culturally Modified Tree Field Crew.’ Members of this team include Don Svanvik, Dawn Cranmer, Tom Brown, Lee Alfred, and Jackson Warren. |
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Don Svanvik and CMT crew member |
The ‘CMT Crew’ is called out approximately 20 times per year to survey specific areas, or ‘blocks,’ that local forest companies have selected for harvest. Nearly all CMTs that are located are protected from logging, preserving important evidence that the ‘Namgis have utilized all parts of their traditional territory. |
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Records of the exact location, size, type and age of each CMT are maintained in a database that is kept current by ‘Namgis Treaty and Natural Resource Department members Honey Jacobson, Ed Jackson, and Brian Svanvik. |
Jackson Warren |
Traditional Use Site Data Base
Information on ‘Namgis traditional use sites comes from two primary sources. First, there is oral history that is held by ‘Namgis individuals and families. This knowledge is passed from generation to generation in the form of mythic stories, songs and dances. Second, there is information about the ‘Namgis that has been researched and written by archaeologists, anthropologists and ethnographers. This information began to be recorded in the later 1800s by social scientists including George Dawson, George Hunt, Franz Boas, George Curtis, Stanley Whalens, Ronald Rohner, Helen Codere, and Robert Galois. Arguably, the ‘Namgis have been the most ‘studied’ First Nation in British Columbia!
In order to understand the full range of traditional use information that is available, a digital database has been created that identifies the “where, who, when and why” of each site. Through review of oral history interview transcripts and by closely reading the work of social scientists who have studied the ‘Namgis, over 1,200 traditional use site locations have been plotted to date. |
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Diane Jacobson, Treaty & Natural Resource Researcher |
‘Namgis Namima Origin Stories
In 2005 a very exciting project was initiated to collect all the ‘origin’ stories of the five namima (clans) of the ‘Namgis. This work, being completed by Honey Jacobson and Lorraine Hunt, will for the first time bring together stories that define the core identity of the ‘Namgis. |
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Lorraine Hunt |
In some cases, different people have told the same stories in different ways at different times. It has been decided that each version of these stories will be included in the final report of the project. As well, this research is providing a list of traditional names connected to each namima (clan), and maps that will locate the places where many of the origin stories took place. |
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It is hoped that this research will be made available in two ways, first as a manual that will be provided at no charge to each ‘Namgis household, and next as a book that will be published and widely distributed. |
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