DA’NAXDA’XW

GILAKAS'LA - WELCOME

The Da'naxda'xw First Nation is an amalgamation of the Da'naxda'xw and Awaetlala tribes of Knight Inlet. Our main village is Tsatsisnukwomi also known as New Vancouver. Tsatsisnukwomi is located on Harbledown Island. The administration office is located in Alert Bay, BC.

Our strength is our people, elders, youth, and chiefs. We are the keepers of the sacred and powerful T'lina. Currently our nation is fighting to keep our oolichan stocks protected from logging, fish farms and any threats to the natural patterns of this precious resource.

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ORIGIN STORY - Da’naxda’xw
 

It was taken from the Tsadzisʼnukwame (New Vancouver) C.F. Newcombe, 1900, Ethnology Division, Royal British Columbia Museum.

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Before the time of the great flood, the Da’naxda’xw of Dzawadi knew it would happen and began to prepare for it. Some of the people tied four canoes together
and put their provisions in these. Dzawadalalis built a home of small poles, which he covered with clay. The others laughed at him, but he knew that he and his
four children would survive the flood.

When the rains came, the others tied their canoes to an Elderberry tree, while Dzawadalalis began moving his belongings into his clay-covered house. One of the men who had ridiculed him said, “Please let me come with you, but Dzawadalalis refused, saying, “Go to the mountain, for that is what you said you would do. My children
and I will be locked inside this house, for we are going underwater.” Shutting the door, he began to sing, “Take care of us. I am going where you told me to go.” Those people who had made fun of him floated around in the flood, which had reached the tops of
the highest mountains in Dzawadi.
 

For some time, Dzawadalalis and his children lived in the underwater house. Then he sent a small bird out. It returned to their house with a small root in his mouth, and so
Dzawadalalis knew that the waters were beginning to subside. He waited for some time, then sent another small bird out. Again, it returned with evidence that the waters were still going down. The third time he sent a bird out, it brought leaves back from a tree.
 

Finally, the fourth small bird was sent out and it brought back blades of grass in its mouth. Dzawadalalis knew then that it was safe to leave his underwater house. He instructed his children to open the door and he thanked the Creator for saving them.
They survived because they believed they would be saved.
 

- Watlaxa’as (Jack Peters) 1980.

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