Our Fish Weir Story
Experience
Explore the different themes, words and teachings from Our Fish Weir Story.
Navigate
Discover the archaeological features recognized or recovered in Minette Bay. We thank Chris Wilson, as well as Kevin Haugrud and Wendy Rolston from Kleanza Consulting Inc. for their support with this section.
Minette Bay is situated at the end of Douglas Channel. We have actively harvested fish along the channel’s shores for an estimated 2000 years. The bay is known for its rich biodiversity and beautiful natural scenery.
Minette Bay South holds 14 Fish Weir sites that have been recognized. They are the oldest Fish Weir sites, and the most complex, with box traps and log features alongside weir posts. These sites demonstrate our continuous use over thousands of years, with stakes of different ages in the same Fish Weir.
Minette Bay North holds 6 Fish Weir sites that have been recognized. They are generally the youngest Fish Weir sites in Minette Bay. The zeḡʷís Village Site is located in this area too.
This is the archaeological identifier given to the oldest Fish Weir site in Minette Bay at approximately 3000 years old. Most of the weir posts at this site are still below ground.
GaTd-41 is the archaeological identifier to this site which represents the zeḡʷís village site and contains Belongings, Burials, Fish Weirs, Cache Pits, House Pits, Roasting Pits, and Trails.
GaTd-39 is the archaeological identifier for this Fish Weir site which was the second one recorded in Minette Bay, in 2019. This Fish Weir site contained the most visible weir posts above water, of all that were recognized.
GaTd-38 is the archaeological identifier for this Fish Weir site which was the very first one recorded in Minette Bay. It was recognized in 2019 when it popped above the waterline.
Do
Our Fish Weir Story Lesson Plans, Animations and Activities. We thank Minnie Rosso, Megan Metz, and Teresa Windsor for their support with this section.
For Educators
Our Fish Weir Lesson Plan
We have harvested fish since time immemorial. Hundreds of ancient wooden weir stakes were recovered from the saltmarsh in Minette Bay, stored for desalination at Kleanza wet lab, before transferring to the CCI where X̄á’isla archaeologist, Tannis Wilson received training in conservation and preservation.
COMING SOON
For Educators
How A Fish Weir Works Animation
Our ancestors devised an ingenious method for harvesting fish. Watch this animation demonstrating how the fish weirs worked in Minette Bay. Imagine yourself, thousands of years ago, using this ancient technology to gather healthy food to feed your family and your community.
COMING SOON
For Kids
Our Fish Weir Colouring Pages
Print and colour images from the film, using your own creativity and imagination!
COMING SOON
For Kids
X̄á’islakala Letters as Art
Here are beautiful X̄á’islakala letters created by Teresa Windsor. Print and create words that spell out the images and themes from the film!
Thank you
Our Fish Weir Story has been brought to life with the guidance and knowledge of the following X̄á’isla community members:
Brenda Duncan
Councillor, Executive Committee
Harvey Grant
Councillor, Knowledge Keeper
Margaret Grant
Councillor, Knowledge Keeper
Willard Grant
Councillor, Knowledge Keeper
Lucille Harms
Councillor, Executive Committee
Daniela Maitland
Hereditary Chief Lady, Eagle Clan
Tracey Ross
Lands Manager, Knowledge Keeper
Candice Wilson
Production, Environment Manager
Chris Wilson
Environmental Steward / GIS
Tannis Wilson
Archaeologist, Knowledge Keeper
Teresa Windsor
Illustrator, Knowledge Keeper
Listen
In the spirit of language reclamation and preservation, use the “listen” function throughout this site to hear the X̄á’islakala language pronounced out loud.
