Social Studies: The Early First Nations Fishing in BC
On the BC Coast there were 6 main groups of people: the Tlingit people on the northern Pacific; the Haida people from the Haida Gwaii or Queen Charlotte archipelago; the Tsimshian, Bella Coola Kwagiulth and Coast Salish from the mainland coast; and the Nuu-chah-nulth from the west coast of Vancouver Island.
First Nations people were the first to fish British Columbia's Pacific coast and rivers. Men fished by using small nets, underwater traps, bone and wood hooks, harpoons and spears. Women would collect clams, oysters, mussels and seaweed.
First Nations people were the first to fish British Columbia's Pacific coast and rivers. Men fished by using small nets, underwater traps, bone and wood hooks, harpoons and spears. Women would collect clams, oysters, mussels and seaweed.
The Tla'amin & Simon Fraser University Heritage & Archaeology Project has pictures and info on fishing artifacts. Click here.
The Campbell River Museum also has helpful information. Click here.
The Campbell River Museum also has helpful information. Click here.
Learn more about early First Nations fishing techniques below. Click on the titles to be taken to the Pacific Fisheries page for each method.
WeirsFishing Weir © RBCM pn1748
Weirs were fence-like structures made of tree stakes built in rivers to trap salmon. Weirs are banned today because of the huge numbers of fish their trapped.
Harpoons and SpearsHarpoons and spears were used to catch salmon in streams and rivers especially when there were large numbers during migration. Great skill was needed.
The image is of a Nootka hunter from Vancouver Island. The Nootka hunted whale with harpoons from cedar dugout canoes. Reef NettingReef Netting at Point Roberts
Thousands of migrating Sockeye and Pink salmon were caught in just one day using this method where a net was strung between two canoes. This was the main livelihood of the Semiahmoo people at Point Roberts.
GillnettingTlingit gillnet
Gillnetting uses nets that are large enough for salmon to swim into but catch them by gills. Nets can be made to catch only certain types of sizes of fish. Nets were attached between canoes with floats to keep it from sinking.
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Fishing TrapsFish Trap © RBCM pn11385
A fish trap was made like a basket with a large opening on one end where the fish entered narrowing at the other end. This made it very difficult for the fish to back out. Early traps were made of wood but wire traps are still used.
TrollingNuu-chah-nulth
Coho and Springs are the only types of salmon usually caught because they rise to take the bait. First Nations fishermen would troll in bays and inlets from a dugout canoe using a fishing line and hook.
Seine Fishing© BC Archives
Seining is done where there are large numbers of fish using a net with weights on the bottom and buoys on top to keep it floating. Modern seine fishing is done with large boats and mechanical winches to haul up the nets. The picture shows First Nation people seining Sockeye on Namu Creek in 1915.
First Nations Fish ProcessingBy drying or smoking salmon and other fish First Nations people were able to preserve the meat to eat all year. No part of the fish was wasted.
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