Toquaht First Nation

The North American Indians are Toquaht and live on Vancouver Island, which lies off the west coast of Canada. They speak Wakashan and belong to the Nuu- chah- nulth. Compared to the Canadian government, they are represented mainly by the Nuu- chah- nulth Tribal Council.

Toquaht means " people of the narrow (or narrow ) channel ."

In April 2010, there were 137 (May 2009: 141) recognized members, but it lived only 8 in the reserve, 7 in other reserves, a woman on Crown ( Crown country ), the other 121 outside.

Reserves

The Toquaht spread over 7 reserves with a total of 196 hectares. The main reserve is located on the north side of Barkley Sound where 2001 nor 34 tribesmen lived. The remaining 67 were living outside the reserve. Meanwhile, only 8 Toquaht live in the reserve.

Political situation

As part of the contract negotiations with Canada and the Province of British Columbia (BC Treaty Process) under the leadership of the traditional chief Bert Mack on August 22, 2007, approved the Toquaht First Nation to the constitution. Thus they received, as the other four First Nations of the Maa- nulth group, significantly more extensive areas than the reserve, but gave up the traditional tribal region. At the same time the land is privatized, so it is not protected against sale or expropriation. Therefore, the aim of the BC Treaty Process is increasingly controversial. Nevertheless agreed to 91% of Toquaht. Similarly, the Ka have: ' yu: ' k't'h '/ Che: k: tles7et'h ' First Nations on 4 August, the Uchucklesaht Tribe on June 16, the Ucluelet First Nation on June 15th and the Huu -ay -aht First Nations voted on May 28, 2007 belong to the same bargaining unit. The treaty has now been ratified by the province of British Columbia. In June 2009, the federal government ratified the treaty.

History

The original residential area of Toquaht lay around the village T'ukw'aa - the Toquaht are therefore the "people of T'ukw'aa ". The place was inhabited at least from about 800 until the early 20th century. Probably as early as the 19th century, however, the village was abandoned Ch'uumat'a. Here the rich finds back to about 2000 BC. In an archaeological excavation (1991-1996) about 1,500 artifacts have been documented to 50 sites, including villages, fish traps, defensive structures and rock art.

Middle of the 19th century was the tribal area from the western shore of Barkley Sound, the Toquart and Mayne Bay and the Pipestem Inlet.

In 1881 and 1891 were only 32 people as Toquaht. Have been assigned to their present reserve around the villages Macoah and Chequis in the 1880s. 1881, residents divided on three families, one of which scored a 18, a 11 and a 3 persons. The latter family was childless. The oldest member of the tribe was 56 years old, Cle chief was a wit voa (52 ), who came from even the largest family. Only two names were recognizable European origin, while the remaining 30 people wore traditional name.