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The Tlowitsis Nation, formerly the Klowitsis Tribe, the Turnour Island Band and the Tlowitsis-Mumtagila First Nation, is the Indian Act band government of the Åawit'sis (Tlowitsis) tribe of the Kwakwaka'wakw peoples, located in the Queen Charlotte Strait-Johnstone Strait area in the Discovery Islands between Vancouver Island and the British Columbia mainland in Canada. Åawit'sis territory covers parts of northern Vancouver Island, Johnstone Strait, and adjoining inlets of the mainland. Kalugwis, on Turnour Island, was their principal community in times past, but the band's offices are in the city of Campbell River to the southeast. Hanatsa IR No. 6 on Port Neville is the most populated of the band's Indian reserves.
Relationship with the Ma'amtagila First Nation
The Tlowitsis First Nation has a long and contentious relationship with a neighbouring nation, the Ma'amtagila (also known as Mahteelthpe, Matilpi, or Mumtagila).
In 1879, the newly formed Canadian government recognized the existence of the Klowitsis Tribe and the Matilpi Tribe. Each had their own reserves and chiefs.
In 1945, the Klowitsis Tribe and Matilpi Tribe were amalgamated to create the Turnour Island Tribe. The amalgamation was ordered by the Indian Agent, in order to make the management of these two smaller tribes easier. Members of the Matilpi agreed to join the Klowitsis Tribe with the understanding that their two chiefs would govern "with equal powers and responsibilities."
In 1983, the name was changed to the Tlowitsis-Mumtagila First Nation, in order to more accurately reflect the Indigenous titles.
In 1998, 'Mumtagila' was removed from the name. Leadership of the Tlowitsis First Nation asserted that the Matilpi/Ma'amtagila "ceded title and authority to their lands to the chiefs of the Tlowitsis," a claim which the Ma'amtagila dispute.
The Ma'amtagila maintain that they are still in existence today and have their own songs, oral histories and recognition by the various tribes that comprise the Kwakwaka'wakw-speaking peoples. Their primary dwelling places were Matilpi Village and Haylate. They were the "protectors" of the Kwakwaka'wakw, as told by the various elders of the many tribes of the Kwakwaka'wakw. these locations were central to the overall territories of the Kwakwaka'wakw people, allowing them to defend both the northern and southern tribes. The Ma'amtagila were also known for their harvesting of Cedar trees and carving.
Indian reserves
Indian reserves under the governance of the Tlowitsis Nation are:
Aglakumna IR No. 4A, on the south shore of Harbledown Island, near the west entrance to Baronet Passage, 4.10 ha. 50Ā°33ā²00ā³N 126Ā°39ā²00ā³W
Aglakmuna-la IR No. 2, on Klaoitsis Island in Beware Passage, at the east end of Harbledown Island, 0.30 ha. 50Ā°34ā²00ā³N 126Ā°31ā²00ā³W
Coffin Island IR No. 3, on Kamano (Coffin) Island at the east end of Beware Passage, at the east end of Harbledown Island, 6.10 ha. 50Ā°34ā²00ā³N 126Ā°30ā²00ā³W
Etsekin IR No. 1, on the east shore of Havannah Channel, east of the north end of Hull Island and including three small islands adjacent, and the locality of Matilpi, 13.20 ha. 50Ā°33ā²30ā³N 126Ā°11ā²12ā³W
Hanatsa IR No. 6, on the south shore of Port Neville, 95.10 ha. 50Ā°32ā²00ā³N 125Ā°58ā²00ā³W
Haylahte IR No. 3, at the mouth of the Adam River, on Johnstone Strait, 19.0 ha. 50Ā°28ā²00ā³N 126Ā°16ā²00ā³W
Karlukwees IR No. 1, on the south shore of Turnour Island on Beware Passage, including three small islands, 10.80 ha. 50Ā°34ā²45ā³N 126Ā°29ā²54ā³W
Keecekiltum IR No. 2, on the east shore of Port Harvey on East Cracroft Island, 11.70 ha. 50Ā°33ā²00ā³N 126Ā°16ā²00ā³W
Pawala IR No. 5, at the head of Call Inlet, 1.0 ha. 50Ā°37ā²00ā³N 125Ā°55ā²00ā³W
Port Neville IR No. 4, at the head of Port Neville on its north shore, 14.9 ha. 50Ā°34ā²00ā³N 125Ā°56ā²00ā³W
Small Island IR No. 4, on Small Island in Beware Passage, between Cracroft and Turnour Islands, 0.20 ha. 50Ā°34ā²00ā³N 126Ā°29ā²00ā³W
Treaty Process
They have reached Stage 5 in the BC Treaty Process.
Demographics
Number of Band Members: 372
See also
List of Kwakwaka'wakw villages