About Haíɫzaqv Nation
Discover the Haíɫzaqv (Heiltsuk) Nation's journey from ancient origins to a vibrant Bella Bella today. Explore our deep history, cultural initiatives, resilience, and sustainable tourism vision in the Great Bear Rainforest.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We, the Haíɫzaqv (Heiltsuk), have been here since the beginning of time. Archaeological evidence corroborates our núyṃ́ (oral history and stories) for at least 14,000 years.
Our amalgamated Haíɫzaqv (Heiltsuk) territory includes ’Wúyalitx̌v, ’Qvúqvay̓áitx̌v, w̓u̓íƛ̓itx̌v, ’Yísdáitx̌v, and X̌íx̌ís tribes. Bella Bella, originally Wágḷísḷa, is located on Heiltsuk Nations Indian Reserve #1, on Campbell Island, British Columbia’s Central Coast.
HEILTSUK HISTORY
Our nu’yem tells how our ancestors survived the Ice Age of 11,700 years ago now corroborated by scientific research of sea level hinge where our ancestors lived during this period. of all skill levels. After that, our nu’yem tells how our ancestors survived the subsequent great floods by moving up two high mountains which bookend the island we live on currently. When Indian Bands and reserves were established in 1822, we were allocated 22 Indian reserves. In 1884, another Indian reserve survey was conducted, and our village was named “Bella Bella”. At the beginning, our Nation was registered as the “Bella Bella Indian Band” and we are now registered “Heiltsuk Indian Band” but are recognized as “Heiltsuk Nation”.
Today we have 34 Indian reserves for a total of 35,553 sq. kms — a small fraction of our inherited rights and title to our homelands and waters.
Haíɫzaqv:
‘Means to speak and act in correctly, which reflects our ǧvi̓ḷás - ancestral cultural laws’
PRESENT DAY
Bella Bella is the home of our Heiltsuk First Nations people and is located on British Columbia’s Central Coast (in the Heart of the Great Bear Rainforest). Heiltsuk territory is a pristine natural environment filled with beauty, wildlife, and the rich history of our people. Our community residents consist mostly of Heiltsuk members, along with a small percentage of other Nations and Non- First Nations people. Heiltsuk membership has a total of 2494 registered members, half of which reside in Heiltsuk territory. Bella Bella’s thriving economy has numerous businesses, many are Band owned and operated, others are privately owned.
Centrally located entities include; Waglisla Band Store, Waglisla Liquor Agency, Post Office, Roanna’s Convenience Store, Heiltsuk Big House, Community Hall, Dental Clinic (Health Centre/Social Development), Community Garden, & the ‘Qatuwalas.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY AND HISTORY
Heiltsuk Tribal Council
As the Heiltsuk Nation, we are a proud Indigenous community residing in the territory known as the Central Coast of British Columbia, Canada. Our history spans thousands of years, deeply rooted in the lands and waters that have sustained us for generations.
This website serves as a digital platform for us to share our guiding principles and values with the world. We are dedicated to preserving and revitalizing our cultural heritage while promoting a sustainable and harmonious relationship with our environment.
HÚY̓AT History
HÚY̓AT is one of an immense network of culturally important places in Heiltsuk territory.
From mountaintop to ocean floor, Heiltsuk history and identity are rooted to and embedded in the memories, oral traditions, place names, geological features, archaeological sites, and gardens and orchards of Húy̓at.
When many of our Elders were children, Húy̓at was a place of total immersion in being Heiltsuk.
Heiltsuk Cultural Education Centre
For over thirty years, the Heiltsuk Cultural Education Centre has been devoted to researching, preserving, and revitalizing the history, language and cultural traditions of the Heiltsuk Nation, located on the Central Coast of British Columbia, Canada.
Click below to learn more information about the Heiltsuk people as well as information pertaining to the Heiltsuk Cultural Education Centre.
Gvukva’aus Heiltsuk
House of the Heiltsuk
