This paper is an overview of the more prominent First Nations that call various sections of the Inside Passage as their homelands. In my exploration of the passage, I have either encountered or researched those nations on whose land I paddled and explored. Those nations are in bold, italics, and underscored.

The Inside Passage, which is a coastal route for ships and boats along a network of passages between the Pacific Ocean and the coast of North America, stretches from southeastern Alaska, through western British Columbia, to northwest Washington state. Several indigenous tribes and nations are prominent in this region:

Alaska

I’ve yet to explore any section of the Southeastern Alaska section of the inside passage.

1. Tlingit – Primarily located in southeastern Alaska, the Tlingit have a rich cultural heritage and deep connection to the coastal environment.
2. Tsimshian – Reside in the southern part of Alaska and northern British Columbia, particularly around the communities of Metlakatla and Ketchikan.

British Columbia

To date my focus on exploring the Inside Passage has been the British Columbia area. I have completed three sections of this part of the passage. Below are the homelands of the major indigenous nations from the northernmost areas of BC to the southernmost areas.

1. Haida – Located on the Haida Gwaii (formerly known as the Queen Charlotte Islands) in British Columbia and in parts of southeastern Alaska, the Haida are known for their art, totem poles, and maritime culture.
2. Nuxalk – Located in the central coast of British Columbia, around Bella Coola. This is the area I’ve yet to explore and is just north of Vancouver Island.
3. Heiltsuk – Primarily located around the central coast of British Columbia, including Bella Bella. This is another area to be explored and is across the southern tip of Haida Gwaii.
4. Kwakwaka’wakw – Also known as the Kwakiutl, these tribes are located on the northeastern part of Vancouver Island and the adjacent mainland coast. This indigenous first nation is the one I spent considerable time with on the third expedition of the inside passage.
5. Coast Salish – While the Coast Salish peoples cover a broader area, some communities are located in the southern parts of the Inside Passage, including Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. See below for additional information on this area.

These tribes have historically relied on the rich marine and forest resources of the Inside Passage, and their cultures are deeply intertwined with the land and sea of this unique region. Their traditions, art, and ways of life continue to be an integral part of the cultural fabric of the Inside Passage.

The Coast Salish area spans the coastal regions of the Pacific Northwest, including parts of Washington State, British Columbia, and the southwestern tip of British Columbia. The Coast Salish peoples are a group of ethnically and linguistically related indigenous groups with a rich cultural heritage. Some of the prominent tribes and nations within the Coast Salish area include:

British Columbia (Canada)

1. Squamish – Reside in the areas around Vancouver and Howe Sound.
2. Tsleil-Waututh – Based in the Burrard Inlet area.
3. Musqueam – Inhabit the area around the mouth of the Fraser River and the city of Vancouver.
4. Semiahmoo – Located near the U.S.-Canada border, around White Rock and Surrey.
5. Tsawwassen – Based near the Tsawwassen Peninsula.
6. Sechelt (Shíshálh) – Located on the Sunshine Coast. See below.
7. Cowichan – Reside on Vancouver Island, particularly around the Cowichan Valley.
8. Nanaimo (Snuneymuxw) – Based around the city of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. See below.
9. Tla’amin and Klahoose – Located within Desolation Sound. See below

In my exploration of Desolation Sound which is a part of the Inside Passage across the Straits of Georgia, I explored the area that is home to the Tla’amin (also known as Sliammon) and Klahoose nations which are considered part of the Coast Salish peoples. Both of these nations are located in British Columbia and share cultural, linguistic, and historical ties with other Coast Salish groups. I also explored Nanaimo, the city on the eastern coast of Vancouver Island and home to the Snuneymuxw First Nation.

Tla’amin (Sliammon) Nation

• Location: The Tla’amin Nation is located near Powell River, on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia.
• Cultural Ties: They have strong cultural and linguistic connections with other Coast Salish peoples.
• Language: They traditionally speak the Sliammon dialect of the Coast Salish language.

Klahoose Nation

• Location: The Klahoose Nation is based on the northern part of the Sunshine Coast, around Toba Inlet and Cortes Island in British Columbia.
• Cultural Ties: Like the Tla’amin, the Klahoose are closely related to other Coast Salish tribes and share similar cultural practices and traditions.
• Language: They also traditionally speak a dialect of the Coast Salish language.

The Snuneymuxw First Nation

They are often referred to as the Nanaimo First Nation, a prominent indigenous group within the Coast Salish peoples.

• Location: Vancouver Island, primarily in the area around the city of Nanaimo, British Columbia.
• Cultural Ties: The Snuneymuxw have a rich cultural heritage that includes fishing, hunting, and gathering, deeply connected to the coastal and forest environments of their traditional territories. They have long been known for their intricate weaving, carving, and the potlatch ceremony, which plays a central role in their social and cultural life. They are also engaging in contemporary economic development initiatives to support their community. Their ongoing efforts highlight a strong commitment to maintaining their cultural identity and sovereignty.
• Language: Today, the Snuneymuxw First Nation is actively involved in the preservation and revitalization of their language, a Coast Salish language.

These nations are part of the larger Coast Salish cultural and linguistic group, which encompasses various tribes and nations along the coastal regions of British Columbia and Washington State. Their cultures are deeply intertwined with the coastal environment, and they share many traditions, ceremonies, and social structures with other Coast Salish peoples.

The areas below have not been a focus of my explorations but are equally important in the southernmost areas of the Inside Passage.

Southwestern British Columbia and Vancouver Island

1. Songhees – Located around Victoria.
2. Esquimalt – Also based around Victoria.
3. Saanich (W̱SÁNEĆ) – Reside in the Saanich Peninsula.

These tribes have traditionally relied on the abundant natural resources of the coastal and riverine environments, and their cultures are rich with traditions related to fishing, weaving, carving, and potlatches. The Coast Salish peoples have a deep connection to their ancestral lands and waters, which continue to play a central role in their cultural and social lives.

Washington State (USA)

1. Duwamish – Inhabit the Seattle area.
2. Suquamish – Located on the Kitsap Peninsula.
3. Tulalip – Reside around the Tulalip Bay.
4. Snohomish – Located around the Puget Sound region.
5. Muckleshoot – Based in the Auburn area.
6. Swinomish – Located near La Conner.
7. Lummi – Based near Bellingham.
8. Samish – Located in the northwestern part of Washington.
9. Snoqualmie – Reside in the Snoqualmie Valley.