We are the Ma’amtagila People
The Ma’a̱mtagila name derives from our seagull ancestor ‘Matagila.
Ma’amtagila leaders & elders gathered at Alert Bay in 2020.
The Ma’amtagila are part of the Kwakwaka'wakw from the West Coast of what is now known as Canada. Our traditional territory lies between Vancouver Island & the BC Mainland Coast, in the Johnstone Strait.
We share many creation stories with our Kwakwaka'wakw cousins, and we trace our heritage to the mythological times. You learn more about our Origin Stories here.
The Ma’amtagila name derives from our ancestor, Matagila the grey seagull. Like all Kwakwaka'wakw, the Ma’amtagila are made up of several namimas (clans), each with its own Eagle seat (chief/leader).
We have three remaining Namima:
the Ha’matam, the Seagulls
the Gixsa̱m, the Kulus/Grizzly bears
the Hayalika̱wa’yi, the Healers
Over the last hundred years, our people were forced to move away from our traditional territory, sometimes by necessity and sometimes by force. But we have never ceded our territory to anyone, at anytime.
We are the people of ‘matagila.
Maps of our reserves made by the Joint Indian Reserve Commission in 1886.
learn OUR HISTORY:
Ma’amtagila Territory on Vancouver Island (Courtesy of U'mista Cultural Society)
Our village at Hiladi.
Photos of Our Territory
