The Wuikinuxv Nation, also known as the Oweekeno Nation, is a First Nations band government whose traditional territory is the shores of Rivers Inlet and Owikeno Lake in the Central Coast region of the Canadian province of British Columbia, in the area south of Bella Bella and north of Queen Charlotte Strait. The Wuikinuxv people a.k.a. the Oweekeno people reside in the area of Rivers Inlet and Owikeno Lake, primarily at a village on the Wannock River. Substantial numbers of Wuikinuxv also reside away from the traditional territory in Port Hardy on Vancouver Island and in larger BC communities such as Campbell River, Vancouver and Victoria. Approximately 80 people reside at the village (Katit Indian Reserve No. 1) while overall membership was 283 in 2006, 194 of whom lived off-reserve.

Wuikinuxv Nation
Statement of Intent boundaries
PeopleWuikinuxv
HeadquartersPort Hardy
ProvinceBritish Columbia
Land[1]
Reserve(s)
Land area7.128 km2
Population (2021)[1]
On reserve51
Off reserve237
Total population288
Government[1]
ChiefDanielle Choiniere Shaw
Tribal Council[1]
Wuikinuxv-Kitasoo-Nuxalk Tribal Council
Website
wuikinuxv.net

The First Nation has an elected Chief and Council responsible for modern economic and administrative areas and also continues to respect a more deeply rooted hereditary system. It is a member of the Wuikinuxv-Kitasoo-Nuxalk Tribal Council.

Language

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The Wuikinuxv speak the Oowekyala language, a Northern Wakashan language which is a dialect of a language known as Heiltsuk-Oowekyala, the other main dialect of which is Heiltsuk. Their language, which in their own official usage is spelled "Wuikyala," and the people were incorrectly known in the past as "Northern Kwakiutl", as were the Haisla.

Indian reserves

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Indian reserves under the administration of the Wuikinuxv Nation are:[2]

References

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  1. ^ "First Nation Detail". Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. Government of Canada. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
  2. ^ Reserves/Settlements/Villages, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
  3. ^ BC Names/GeoBC entry "Katit 1 (Indian reserve)"
  4. ^ BC Names/GeoBC entry "Kiltala 2 (Indian reserve)"