The Kwakwak'awakw Nation's territory extends from Cape Mudge to the mouth of Bute Inlet in the south to Smith Inlet in the north and around the northern part of Vancouver Island to Quatsino Sound on the west coast of Vancouver Island. The Laichwiltach are the southernmost of the Kwak'wala speaking people.  Tsa-Kwa-Luten 1792 First recorded contact by the Europeans with the local First Nations people occurred at the ancient village of Tsa-Kwa-Luten, "the gathering place" on Quadra Island, by Captain George Vancouver in 1792. At that time Tsa-Kwa-Luten was inhabited by the Coast Salish peoples. Sometime after the British explorers were here, approximately 1841, the Salish abandoned this village and surrounding villages and retreated to the south. The Laichwiltach peoples then took possession of the rich salmon fishing grounds and the strategic trading position offered by the narrow Discovery Passage. At that time the Laichwiltach peoples were made up of the We-Wai-Kai of Cape Mudge, Wei-Wai-Kum of Campbell River, Walatsama of Salmon River and Kwiakah of Philips Arm. Villages were established in Campbell River and at Cape Mudge on Quadra Island, making this area the southernmost territory of the Kwak'wala speaking peoples.  Tsa-Kwa-Luten today  "Village of Friendly Indians" – 1792, Arran Rapids |
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