qathet Museum & Archives
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Net Weight

Object ID: 1995.87.1

This net weight was found along the shore of Nelson Island, and was made and used by shíshálh or Tla’amin people to weigh down fishing nets. Prior to colonization and the arrival of commercial fishing operations, the coastal waters of these nations were extremely rich in resources such as salmon. Marine resources have contributed to the vitality of Coast Salish peoples since time immemorial, and remain embedded within Coast Salish culture.

In order to harvest fish from the ocean, several of these disk-shaped stones would be tied to a single net through the centre holes and then dropped into the water. The net itself was made from nettle fibres or cedar bark, and wooden floats held the net in place from the surface. Other types of nets were used to fish in rivers, and small nets without weights could have been used to catch fish by hand, but the type of net with weights attached was primarily used in the ocean.

This stone net weight is an example of the ground stone technology developed by Coast Salish peoples thousands of years ago. The ground stone method of grinding one stone against another to achieve a desired shape is far more time consuming than flaked tools, and as a result this type of stone tool is associated with more sedentary cultures. While seasonal migration patterns were common in Coast Salish cultures, the abundance of resources in the area meant they did not have to travel very far, and ground stone tools were an investment which would be used for years.

While this type of weight was used regularly by Indigenous groups in the qathet Region, they are not artifacts which are commonly found. Manually shaping each stone weight with a bi-conical hole in the centre was very time consuming, and the people who used them took great care to ensure they were not lost. For the same reason, these weights are rarely found in archaeological excavations of midden which are an accumulation of household debris.


The Tla’amin Nation, the qathet Regional District, and the qathet Museum & Archives encourage the donation of any artifacts that may be held in personal collections so that we may learn from them and the public can enjoy their significance. 

Removal of any object from archaeological sites in BC is illegal and subject to severe penalties under the Heritage Conservation Act. Individuals can report any contraventions of the Heritage Conservation Act, by calling 1 877-952-7277, (Option 2) toll-free or #7277 on a cellphone. If you think you have found an artifact, please take only a picture, leave it in place and immediately call the Tla’amin Nation (604) 483-9646 and/or the Powell River Historic Museum & Archives (604) 485-2222.
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© 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
      • 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
    • Gift Shop
    • Membership
    • Volunteer
    • Donate
    • Careers
  • About
    • COVID-19 Updates
    • Name Change
    • Our Mandate
    • News & Reports
    • Staff & Board
    • Contact Us