Ainu Delegation Visit Bella Coola
Bella Coola, British Columbia, Canada / Turtle Island After visiting Vancouver and the Interior, the Ainu arrived in Bella Coola sometime in October, where they were hosted by the Nuxalk Nation. Both the Nuxalk and Ainu are seafaring peoples who rely heavily on fishing, and so Nuxalk fishers took their Ainu counterparts out on several fishing trips during their stay. The trip went so well that the Nuxalk Nation were sent a letter of thanks the Union of BC Indian Chiefs leader George Manuel (who had just hosted the Ainu himself in Chase), and plans were made for a reciprocal visit of Indigenous Canadians to Ainu territory in Japan in the following year. It is unclear whether this trip ever took place. People Tokuhei Narita, Ainu activist Karen Edgar, Nuxalk host Archie Pootlass, Nuxalk host Emily Schooner, Nuxalk host Nations Ainu Nuxalk Organisations Ainu Society for Self Advancement Union of BC Indian Chiefs Sources Noohalk News (October 1978). Recent Cultural Exchange with 4 arrows and Ainu people’s groups. No page numbers. Accessed through UBCIC archives. Nuxalk News (February, 1979). Cultural Center Activity Report. No page numbers. Accessed through UBCIC archives. Pederson, Bob. (February 23, 1979). Japan’s Ainu native people group visits Canadian Natives at Bella Coola, B.C. The New Canadian, n.p.