New Signage: Welcoming You to the Haḥuułi of the Five Central Nuučaan̓uł (Nuu-chah-nulth) Nations

If you’ve driven from Port Alberni to the coast recently, you may have noticed a new sign 2km before you arrive at “the junction.” 

The sign welcomes you to the haḥuułi of the five central region nuučaan̓uł (Nuu-chah-nulth) Nations — hiškʷiiʔatḥ (Hesquiaht), ʕaaḥuusʔatḥ (Ahousaht), ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ (Tla-o-qui-aht) Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ (Ucluelet), and tukʷaaʔatḥ (Toquaht) — where the biosphere region is designated. 

The nuučaan̓uł and English words on the sign aren’t direct translations but rather have complementary meanings. An approximate direct translation of the nuučaan̓uł would be:  

ƛayaḥuʔał - welcome 
haḥuułiʔakʔi - chiefly territories  
ʔapwinʔakʔi - central/middle 
nuučaanułʔatḥ - nuu-chah-nulth people

haḥuułi is a way of understanding the territory of the nuučaanuł haw’ił (hereditary leaders). More than just lands and resources, haḥuułi involves a series of responsibilities and protocols for living together respectfully and abundantly. In many ways, the intentions (reconciliation, stewardship, cooperation) of the UNESCO Biosphere designation connect with the idea of haḥuułi. We’re grateful to Tla-o-qui-aht elder kamaatḥ Levi Martin for providing the thoughtful wording on the sign. Tla-o-qui-aht haw’ił Bruce Frank (mit)*, and Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ elders Larry Baird(mit) and Bob Mundy(mit), also provided language guidance. 

Placing the nuučaanuł text on the primary (left) side of the sign was a priority from the beginning of the design. This layout puts nuučaan̓uł sovereignty first and shows how the biosphere designation supports and uplifts community vitality. Having the nuučaannuł first was a “first” for the BC Ministry of Transport staff we worked with and we are grateful for their collaboration and support.  

In July, we held a small ceremony to reflect on what the biosphere designation means within nuučaanuł haḥuułi. Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government President Charles McCarthy shared how the late Larry Baird was a strong advocate for the biosphere designation and regional collaboration, and how Bob was such a dedicated teacher and proponent of culture within the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ community and the region. On behalf of the late Bruce Frank, his partner Iris acknowledged his contributions and reflected on the positive impact of the biosphere designation, standing with Wesley Frank, who now sits as haw’ił since Bruce’s passing. After the remarks, Iris and CBT co-chair Naomi Mack from Toquhat Nation spread eagle down around the sign, and kamaatḥ led a prayer to invite those passing by to listen, learn, and act with according respect for the communities and ecosystems in the region. 

The sign project was made possible with funding from the BC CERIP fund. 

*The NCN suffix (mit) means the person has passed away.