Heiltsuk dialect
Heiltsuk /ˈheɪltsək/, Haíłzaqvḷa, also known as Bella Bella and Haihais, is a dialect of the North Wakashan (Kwakiutlan) language Heiltsuk-Oowekyala that is spoken by the Haihai (Xai'xais) and Bella Bella First Nations peoples of the Central Coast region of the Canadian province of British Columbia, around the communities of Bella Bella and Klemtu, British Columbia. Bella Bella is the headquarters of the Heiltsuk Nation government.
| Heiltsuk | |
|---|---|
| Bella Bella | |
| Haíłzaqvḷa | |
| Region | Northern Central Coast Regional District, British Columbia, Canada |
| Ethnicity | Heiltsuk people |
Native speakers | 95 (2016) 125 L2 |
Wakashan
| |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | – |
| Glottolog | bell1263 |
| ELP | Hailhzaqvla (Heiltsuk) |
Heiltsuk is classified as Critically Endangered by the UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger | |
Heiltsuk is spoken in the villages of Bella Bella and Klemtu, both located on coastal islands in British Columbia not far from Bella Coola and Ocean Falls. It is one of the four Northern Wakashan languages, the others being Haisla (spoken in Kitimaat), Oowekyala (in Rivers Inlet), and Kwakwala (in Alert Bay, Port Hardy, and various settlements).
Heiltsuk is considered to be a dialect of Heiltsuk-Oowekyala, which, like neighbouring Haisla and Kwak'wala, are part of the Northern Wakashan language group. Heiltsuk has both conversational and ceremonial forms.