Yuquot, British Columbia

Yuquot (sometimes Yukot or Friendly Cove ) is a place on the west coast of Vancouver Iceland ( Canada). It is the social, economic and economic center of the local Mowachaht, which are among the First Nations in Canada. They, in turn, belong to the 16 groups today comprehensive ethnicity of Nuu- chah- nulth, who live along the west coast of Vancouver Island. Yuquot means " Where the wind blows from all directions ," which aptly outlines the changing conditions faced by the exposed site.

The importance of the place was the Minister of Canadian Heritage (about: Minister for the Canadian (cultural) heritage ) in December 1997, explained mainly due to three groups argument:

Based on these earlier recognized importance Yuquot was declared on May 25 1923 by the Canadian Government, the National Historic Site of Canada.

In Yuquot gathered regularly the chiefs of the Nuu- chah- nulth tribes. Each tribe had its own house, whichever is the most powerful and influential the largest held. Wood carvings that adorned the houses and especially the big piles were seen only on feast days and ceremonies, otherwise they were veiled. When John Webber, the ship draftsman of James Cook, she wanted to draw for a celebration, they were already covered again. For a small tribute, but they have been revealed for the duration of his Skizzierungsarbeiten.

The chiefs who gathered here, usually brought tribute, where the hosts offered great feasts in return.

As " Friendly Cove " was the natural harbor, free of rocks and reefs, easily accessible and inhabited by experienced traders quickly known in dealer circles. Yuquot was the only place of access to the "market" for Seeotterfelle until stocks were on the verge of extinction. In the area probably have lived more than 5,000 people.

Around this time Yuquot had more than 1,000 inhabitants, but now lives there only one family all year round. The Mowachaht are only a little more than 300 people. In 1951 she united with the neighboring to Muyaah Bay resident Muchalaht.

Built in 1881 Canada a 85 ha reserve Yuquot comprehensive. 1966 persuaded the Department of Indian Affairs the tribe to move to Ahaminaquus at the mouth of Gold River. There was working in the pulp manufacture. But the conditions on which only 3.6 ha area were poor, there was no development opportunities, the work was unhealthy.

For years it was discussed what to do, but in 1996 decided to move to the root Tsaxana, further inland. On 40 hectares, a new location within the 120 hectare reserve was created. But fishing and logging declined soon, so that one is now using tourism. In this case, care is taken not to overwhelm nature by, for example the number of visitors is limited to the West Coast Trail. In contrast to the fast motor boats for whale watching, the cause coming for example from Victoria to watch the 85 resident orcas, and thereby interfere with the necessary for hunting ultrasonic signals of the animals, respect the Mowachaht - Muchalaht that the whales are not disturbed by noise. It is particularly important to them with this is that Yuquot itself is not destroyed by the fast growing tourism industry - hence the extremely sparse population.

Now the Mowachaht try the Whalers ' Washing House, New York (now in the American Museum of Natural History ) spent in 1904 to retrieve. Since the 80s, the exact location on the island in the lake behind Yuquot was found ( Lake Jerritt ) in order to explain the home to the World Heritage can. The Return negotiations are still ongoing.

The church used until 1960 when Yuquot now has been transformed into a tourism center. In addition there were 1995 copies of the totem poles that were the Royal British Columbia Museum pass. Even the old paths ( trails ) have been restored, the graveyard of filth free, six cabins ( wooden cabins ) allow longer stays in the west of Yuquot. Finally, the port was restored in 1996, so now again can create ships.

In August many young Mowachaht come together on the Camp and Karawanplätzen, where traditional dances are taught, but also singing and storytelling. At the same time this provides an opportunity to make Yuquot the center of the oral tradition of the historical tradition again. Recent studies documented 171 archaeological sites, of which 92 villages and temporary settlements, to fish traps, burial grounds, paths, etc.