Kwakwakaʼwakw
The Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw (IPA: [ˈkʷakʷəkʲəʔwakʷ]), also known as the Kwakiutl (/ˈkwɑːkjʊtəl/; "Kwakʼwala-speaking peoples"), are one of the indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast. Their current population, according to a 2016 census, is 3,665. Most live in their traditional territory on northern Vancouver Island, nearby smaller islands including the Discovery Islands, and the adjacent British Columbia mainland. Some also live outside their homelands in urban areas such as Victoria and Vancouver. They are politically organized into 13 band governments.
Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw mask (19th century) | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 3,665 (2016 census) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Canada (British Columbia) | |
| Languages | |
| English, Kwakʼwala | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity, Traditional Indigenous religion | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Haisla, Heiltsuk, Wuikinuxv |
| People | Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw |
|---|---|
| Language | Kwak̓wala Kwak̓wala ʼNak̓wala G̱uc̓ala T̓łat̓łasik̓wala Liqʼwala |
| Country | Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw A̱wi'nagwis |
Their language, now spoken by only 3.1% of the population, consists of four dialects of what is commonly referred to as Kwakʼwala. These dialects are Kwak̓wala, ʼNak̓wala, G̱uc̓ala and T̓łat̓łasik̓wala.