Population decline and general dislocation led to the formation of new tribes and confederacies in the early nineteenth century. In its wake, Indians began attacking trade ships, which in turn greatly diminished their contact with non-natives for several decades. By the end of the century, hunters had so depleted the sea otter stock that the local fur trade was in sharp decline. During that time, Indians began to suffer significant population decline owing to increased warfare (competition over the fur trade) as well as epidemics, including venereal disease. Partly by means of firearms, they established themselves as intermediaries between whites and other Indian peoples. Cook’s crew later sold the pelts to Chinese merchants at great profit, thereby laying the basis for the northwest maritime fur trade.Ī few Nootkan chiefs, such as Maquinna, whose power was maintained in part by the Spanish, became very wealthy by controlling that trade. In 1778, Captain Cook remained with the Nootkas for a month, acquiring a large collection of sea otter pelts. In the late prehistoric period they had acquired iron and other metals through trade and salvage from shipwrecks. History Nootkan culture changed relatively little during the 5,000 years preceding contact with non-natives. Language Nootka and Nitinaht, together with Makah, constitute the southern or Nootkan branch of the Wakashan language family. In 1984, roughly 4,700 Nootkans lived in the region. Population The Nootkan population was at least 15,000 in the mid-eighteenth century. The climate is wet and moderate with fierce winter storms. The geography features a rocky coast and a coastal plain ("outside") as well as a series of inlets penetrating deep into the hilly interior ("inside"). Location Many Nootkans continue to live in or near their aboriginal territory, which was the western half of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, roughly 125 miles north and south of midcoast. Captain James Cook, who thought it was the native name for what came to be called Nootka Sound, originated the term. ![]() Nootkans were a linguistic group of Vancouver Island Indians consisting of more than 22 tribes, confederacies, or sociopolitical local groups.
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