qathet Museum & Archives
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Indigenous History

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Tla'amin/ European Post-Contact Timeline

Tla'amin Nation


The Tla’amin Nation is one of several Coast Salish cultures inhabiting the area surrounding the Georgia Strait. Traditional Tla’amin lands include the areas on the Northern Sunshine Coast from Stillwater (Lang Bay), north to the Malaspina Peninsula, and the islands of Cortes, Savary, Hernando, Harwood and the northern half of Texada. 
​

In the late 19th century, when the Pacific Coast was undergoing European development and industrialization, the Tla’amin Nation was relocated to the village of Sliammon (IR#1). The paper mill was built on the traditional territory of the Tla’amin Nation at the site of the village known as tiskʷat.   
We encourage you to visit these sites to learn more from the people of the Tla’amin Nation:
  • Tla’amin Nation’s website 
  • Written as I Remember It: Teachings (Ɂəms tɑɁɑw) from the Life of a Sliammon Elder by Elsie Paul in collaboration with Davis McKenzie, Paige Raibmon & Harmony Johnson
Soccer match at Riverside Oval with Tla'amin Nation, 1940. (ID 1987.30.94)
Sliammon shoreline looking north, 1922. (ID 1967.1.141)
Dugouts and Fisherman at Scuttle Bay, 1930. (ID ND000243)
Dugout canoe and two boys, 1950-60. (ID ND000493)
Sliammon men in a canoe, 1939. (ID 1987.30.83)
A rack of cedar boughs with fish roe drying. Fish are also drying on the racks at Scuttle Bay. The house to the left, belonged to Mary George's father, 1928-32. (ID PH002834)
Building the Sea King at Sliammon Village, 1940. (ID 1987.30.85)
Jeannie Dominick of the Klahoose nation drying fish on a cedar salmon rack. (ID ND003886)
Tla’amin basket weavers and bead workers and their pieces made for a cultural exchange when the soccer team travelled to Hawaii in 1977. From left are Mary George, Katherine Blaney, Sara Bob and Mary Peters. (ID ND028575)
In Sliammon; repairing fish net. l-r: 1. "" Old Felix "" 2. Johnny [Smokey] Johnson, 1918-22. (ID 1987.30.82)

Fish Traps - WUXOΘƐN

Indigenous people have extensive knowledge of the natural world and its interconnections. We can see this with their use of fish traps. The Tla’amin, Klahoose, Homalco, and Comox people engineered the traps to catch fish and other food sources from the ocean. Building the traps along the coastline allowed the Coast Salish people to sustain large populations. As the tide went out, fish were trapped, making them easier to catch. The traps were constructed of different geometric shapes that enabled them to catch different types of fish. For Indigenous people today, these fish traps are part of their heritage passed down by their ancestors. At low tide, the traps look like structures at Willingdon Beach, along the Seawalk, and at Sliammon’s beachfront. 

This video from the Tla’amin Nation tells some of their stories of their fish traps along our coast and how the traps were used: 

Cedar


Cedar is a widely recognized symbol of the Northwest Coast. For thousands of years, this versatile wood has played a vital role in the lives of Indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest. Cedar is a key natural resource in the production of material goods, and plays an integral role in the traditional beliefs, spiritual beliefs, and ceremonial life of Coast Salish groups.  The Story of Cedar tells more about its role and uses.  
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A rack of cedar boughs with fish roe drying. Fish are also drying on the racks at Scuttle Bay. A house to the left of the racks belonged to Mary George’s father, 1928-32. (ID PH002834)

Sliammon Documentary

A Film by Tla'amin Nation

This documentary featuring Elsie Paul looks at Tla'amin life and lands . It was produced by Grace Adams and directed by Evan Adams and Jan Padgett.
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Opening Hours
Tuesday to Saturday
10 am to 3 pm

Closed Statutory Holidays
Contact Us
604-485-2222
info@qathetmuseum.ca
​4790 Marine Avenue, Powell River BC

© 2023 qathet Museum & Archives
​Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of material on this website. Dates and times are subject to change. 
Territorial Acknowledgement 
The qathet Museum & Archives is located on the traditional territories of the Tla’amin Nation. The Museum is committed to collaborating with all Indigenous peoples of this province including the Tla'amin Nation. We acknowledge the harms of the past, are committed to improving relationships in the spirit of reconciliation, and we extend our appreciation for the opportunity to live and learn on this territory. ​Emote!
  • Exhibits
    • Current Exhibits
    • Forestry Building
    • Virtual Exhibits >
      • Riveting Women
      • Symphonies of the Sunshine Coast
      • Capturing Mountains
      • Story of Cedar
      • Powell River Firsts
      • Rod LeMay Collection
  • Collections
    • Objects
    • Archives >
      • Research Requests
      • Indexes & Finding Aids
      • Archival Descriptions
      • Powell River Digester
      • Phone Books & Directories
      • Good Citizen
      • Record of Military Service
    • Local History Books
  • Programs
    • Public Programs Calendar >
      • Little Wonders
      • Remember When Club
      • Spring Speaker Series
      • Fall Speaker Series
      • Mini-Curators
      • Papermaking
      • Summer Camps
      • Museum In the Park
      • Archaeology Day
    • School Programs >
      • Exhibit Visits
      • Outreach Kits
      • Portal to the Past
      • Educator's Survey
    • Virtual Programs >
      • Virtual Portal To the Past
      • A Taste of qathet's History
      • The Crafty Corner
      • Dive Into the Archives
    • Tours
    • Memoirs
  • Learn
    • Indigenous History
    • Place Names
    • Forestry History
    • Memories of the Mill
    • Community History
    • Blast from the Past
    • The Coast Memoirs
    • Heritage Stops
    • Blog
  • Support
    • Membership
    • Volunteer
    • Donate
    • Careers
  • About
    • COVID-19 Updates
    • Name Change
    • Our Mandate
    • News & Reports
    • Staff & Board
    • Contact Us