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Each year families travel to Dzawadi, or Knight Inlet, an 8 hour boat ride from Alert Bay, a small Island off the north east tip of Vancouver Island, to this mainland inlet. They journey to the Klina- Klini River, located at the head of Knight Inlet, where the eulachon return annually.

In the Kwak'wala language we call eulachon oil t'lina, (pronounced gleetna) The meticulous task of rendering oil from these tiny smelt-like fish takes three weeks, starting with the catching of the eulachon. Six or seven tons of the fish is needed to fill the pits, where the eulachon will ripen for seven to ten days.

T'lina is an important food staple, rich in vitamins and minerals, which also serves us for medicinal purposes. The oil is of great cultural significance in our potlatches, and has long been a valuable trade item. "Grease trails" were the elaborate trade routes established in historical times. They stretched the length of the coast and reached far into the interior of British Columbia and Alberta. We continue to trade seaweed and herring eggs with the Heiltsuk of Bella Bella, and other specialty foods with other coastal First Nations, in return for t'lina.

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Our Eulachon Rivers
1992
Kwakwaka'wakw Territory

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This map shows you the Eulachon Rivers and First Nations Territories in the Eulachon-Harvesting Regions of British Columbia. The photos depicted in this exhibit are taken in Knight Inlet.

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Brooks Bay
15 April 2002
Alert Bay, British Columbia, Canada

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Families normally travel to Knight Inlet by boat, normally the family seine boat. This particular seiner is owned by Elijahs dad, Robert Wadhams, and is named Brooks Bay.

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Twin Falls
3 April 2002
Knight Inlet

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Here you see the Twin Falls. When you stop and enter the spray of the Twin Falls the old people say you will be cleansed and you are purified. The Twin Falls will wash your sickness away.

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Twin Falls shower
3 April 2002
Knight Inlet

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Here is a family stopping to do the traditional cleansing at Twin Falls. While under the Twin Falls a Special Prayer is always said.

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Eagle's Nest
4 April 2002
Knight Inlet

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Along your way to Knight Inlet you will take in breath taking scenery as well as many different kinds of wild life. Some of the wildlife you may encounter are Bald-Headed Eagles, Killer Whales, Seals, Sea Lions, Bears, Wolves, Deer and Porpoises.

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Bald Headed Eagle
4 April 2002
Knight Inlet

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Even though the bald headed eagle is not a rare sight, it is always nice to see.

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Eagles
April, 1999
Knight Inlet