Nootka

Member of an American Indian people living on the southwest coast of Vancouver Island, near Nootka Sound, that used to hunt whales. Their language belongs to the Wakashan group and they are culturally related to the Kwakiutl.

The Nootka economy was based on hunting whales which they did from large dugout canoes using harpoons attached to sealskin floats. In winter they lived in large independent coastal villages that split into family groups to hunt in the summer. Social hierarchy and religion centred on the whale. The whale harpooner held high rank and magical and practical secrets surrounding the hunt were kept within the family. Shamans performed rituals to ensure a successful hunt. Like other coastal peoples they practised the potlatch, in which prestige and rank was achieved by giving away property.