Nuxalk

North Americahunter-gatherers

Map
expand_more Description

The Nuxalk are a Canadian First Nations group living on the central coast of British Columbia, Canada. They speak a Salishan language known as Bella Coola that is isolated from the other Salishan languages of the coast. Subsistence was centered on fishing (primarily salmon), as well as hunting and gathering with some limited trade. Social structure consisted of chiefs, an aristocracy, commoners, and slaves. Nuxalk families are large in size and trace their descent ambilineally to a particular area of Nuxalk territory. Household members supported one another in potlatching and economic pursuits.

Identifier
Region
  • North America
Subregion
  • Northwest Coast and California
Subsistence Type
  • hunter-gatherers
Samples
Countries
  • Canada
External Links