Our Oolichan

Explore knowledge, words, images and teaching about about our Oolichan.

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In the spirit of language reclamation and preservation, use the “listen” function throughout this site to hear the X̄á’islakala language pronounced out loud.

Blue Fish

Our Ways of Knowing and Being

Our territory’s resources have sustained us for generations. After a long, hard North Coast winter, oolichan are the first fish to return and spawn in local rivers. Since time immemorial they have been central to our life and culture. An important source of food and medicine, we also boil them to form a pure white grease that remains a valuable trading commodity.

Four people in a small boat on a calm body of water, with fishing gear and supplies onboard. Two are seated while two stand and smile at the camera.
haisla-heritage-the-language

Treasure Our Language

Language revitalization and preservation is very important to us. Treasure x̄á’islakala, learn about the words related to our Oolichan, and how they are pronounced by our fluent speakers. We thank Chris Wilson, Liz Robinson, Medrick Robinson, Shelley Bolton, and Raymond Walk Sr. for sharing their knowledge which helped create the descriptions.

For access to a more extensive collection of vocabulary, visit the Haisla LanguageCloud living dictionary.

A document is also available with tips on hearing the sounds and sound combinations of x̄á’islakala, so that you are able to speak, learn, and write-out the language more easily and accurately.

X̄á’islakala Reading and Writing Tips

Listen to Our Oolichan Song

We have been passing on our stories and teachings through song since time immemorial. Composer Shelley Bolton wrote this song to celebrate the return of the oolichan after a ten-year absence, and to commemorate the days of the town crier who would announce to the community that the oolichan were coming and it was time to harvest.

henémanis záxʷen
Our Oolichan Song
By Shelley Bolton

Person in traditional attire, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and holding an item, stands indoors with another similarly dressed person partially visible behind.

Enjoy Our Oolichan Song with dancing

Our Oolichan Song is performed by Haisla Braid Group, as they bring to life the joy of the Oolichan return. Singing, dancing and drumming honour our heritage and our oral tradition.

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Enjoy Our Gallery of Images

Learn more from our art and photographs. We thank Cassidi Bolton and Shelley Bolton for sharing their knowledge and photographs for this section.

Click to enlarge and read more.

Two of the fish weir stakes that appeared above the water line. Seeing these was the beginning of Our Fish Weir Story.

Archaeologists marked the weir stakes one by one until they ultimately led to identifying a fish trap intact.

Candice Wilson, Environment Manager, and Tannis Wilson, Archaeologist work together on preserving our fish weirs.

Fishing net with white and brown floats tangled and lying on a sandy beach near dried grasses and wooden planks.

Our táqaɫ or seine net consists of the lead line, cork line and purse line. It replaced our traditional nettle net, used not so long ago.

Fishermen on a boat in a forest-lined river work with a long fishing net partially submerged in the water.

The húq̓ʷalu or cork line is the part of the net that floats on the top of the water. Pulled to shore with the lead and purse line, it helps form a large bag holding in the oolichan catch.

A group of people in outdoor clothing are pulling a fishing net from the water, capturing fish in a forested area.

When the seine net is full, it requires the strength of the whole crew to pull it into shore.

People sorting and loading fish into metal containers near a body of water, with wooded hills seen in the background.

The crew are using a c̓emx̄sála or brailer, a U-shaped piece of wood attached to a net, with a set of handles on either side to scoop up the oolichan from the seine net into the punt.

A group of people stands under a rustic shelter near a body of water, carrying fish and engaging in outdoor activities.

The whole crew offloads the oolichan from the punt by making an assembly line, passing up bucket after bucket of oolichan. The person at the end of the line pours each container into the pit where the fermentation process begins.

Large pile of small fish on the ground, with a shovel resting on top, in a wooden enclosure.

An important part of the process of making oolichan grease is q̓ʷíliɫela or fermentation - these oolichan will sit in this bin or pit for up to ten days depending on the weather.

Three workers in warm clothes, kneeling and working with concrete near a pile of firewood in an outdoor setting with rocks and straw on the ground.

In order to make sure moisture and water don’t leak out of the bin during the boiling process, the crew gather t̓egéns or clay to seal around the bin edges.

A person wearing a headscarf and sweater stirs soap in a large outdoor basin, surrounded by logs and other debris. The scene is near a river.

The bin is filled with water, a fire is started under the bin and when the water heats up the oolichan are put in to boil.

A close-up view of a rake covered in a thick layer of mud being cleaned in water.

During the boil, the oolichan are mashed up two to three times to break down the fish and get as much oil extracted as possible.

A person wearing a headscarf scoops milk from a large container into a smaller pot in an outdoor setting.

Cold water added to the bin separates the fish meal and water from the oolichan oil. Here, Annie Woods is skimming the grease off the top.

Person stirring bubbling liquid in a black pot using a metal spoon outdoors, with two other pots nearby on a dirt surface.

This is a very special step. We purify the grease before straining and jarring it. This gives it it’s white colour and special flavour.

Two people filtering liquid into a pot using a white cloth; one holds a container, the other holds the cloth.

Once the grease is purified, it is carefully strained through cloth to make sure no impurities remain.

Several large metal barrels covered with cloth are standing in a dimly lit area. The barrels vary in size and color.

Once the grease is strained, it is carefully put into barrels or jars to cool and be stored safely through the year.

A rustic wooden room with fish hanging from the ceiling to dry. A small fire burns on the floor, casting light from a nearby window.

Another favourite way to enjoy oolichan is smoked. Freshly caught oolichan are put on daums and hung in the qeqap̓elilás or smokehouse. Delicious!

A school of fish swims underwater in clear green-tinted water with visible rocks and plants on the bottom.

An oolichan run was captured with a gopro camera underwater in the Kemano River, right upon their arrival.

Listen to Our Stories About Oolichans

Enjoy a recording by Elder Fluent Speaker Ella Grant, as she explains the extensive process of oolichan harvesting, speaking in X̄á’islakala. Thank you to Emmon Bach, Jonathan Janzen and Chuck Murphey for transcribing it so you can follow along!

zázaw̓a’ini
Oolichan Harvest
Recounted By Ella Grant

Xá’islakala and English transcript
haisla-heritage-our-animals-story

Watch to Learn More About Oolichans

Enjoy this educational module called “Pack Up & Camp Prep.” X̄á’isla community members and Knowledge Keepers share their knowledge about all the effort it takes to get prepared and be ready for the arrival of oolichan season in early spring. Planning begins months in advance!

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