naaʔuu presents Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation culture to the world
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naaʔuu 411 and an invite to Feast in Tofino This March
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Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation/Tofino — This is a place home to magic. Magic views, magic memories and moments that pay out magical dividends around every curve.
Those of you who have surfed Tofino, those who have hiked Tofino or even simply have gone for a beach walk here, know exactly what I am talking about. But to all of you who have surfed, walked and hiked around Tofino, did you know you were doing this within a sacred ancient garden?
Welcome to the other side of Tofino; this magical place preserved, sustained and restored by its people who were born and raised here, and they have an invite for you.
And the invitation is: "Come naaʔuu"
WATCH: a preview of the naaʔuu experience
Join with Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation this March, come together and feast while taking in their perspective on the land and their connection to this magical destination that goes back 10,000 years.
Read on for all the details of this groundbreaking event series.
Welcome to naaʔuu
Who: Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation producing and serving up a three-hour cultural experience.
Tofino’s newest tourism attraction and a leading Indigenous tourism offering. The event features a collection of Tla-o-qui-aht singers, dancers, drummers and artists including world renowned carver Joe David who has produced signature naaʔuu masks that you will experience up close and personal.
Photo:
Jordyn Giesbrecht
Master carver Joe David works on a traditional Tla-o-qui-aht mask.
What: naaʔuu in Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation language means “come together” or “feast”. This three-hour ticketed Indigenous tourism experience is a Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation’s cultural experience including song, dance, and local perspective served up with a delicious dinner from the Heartwood Kitchen.
Photo:
Jordyn Giesbrecht
Especially for naaʔuu, a Tla-o-qui-aht inspired menu is prepared by the Heartwood Kitchen.
Where: naaʔuu happens within the Tin Wis Resort’s conference centre, which has been transformed into a traditional long house by Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations’ artist Hjalmer Wenstob (owner of the Cedar House Gallery).
Photo:
Melissa Renwick
The interior of the Tin Wis Resort conference centre transforms into a Tla-o-qui-aht longhouse for naaʔuu.
The Tin Wis Resort, less then 10 mins from downtown Tofino, is a Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation owned property welcoming guests from all over the world, who converge on this hotel to experience that Tofino magic.
Photo:
Bryanna Bradley
A view of Mackenzie Beach, looking out from Tin Wis Resort.
The Resort is located on Mackenzie Beach, and is known for its calm waters, the perfect spot to come seek some serious zen.
When: naaʔuu is a three-hour experience, happening on specific dates through March.
Dates include March 9 (sold out), March 15, 16, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30 & 31
Tofino’s Pacific Rim Whale Festival happens during this naaʔuu event series run, March 17 to 25—go out whale watching during the day and come feast at night.
Why: naaʔuu proceeds go to Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks, an organization within Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation founded as a means to enforce Tla-o-qui-aht land rights back in the mid-80’s.
Because of Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks, much of the Tofino magic we all experience today stems from this designation, meaning the old growth forests within Tla-o-qui-aht’s homelands were not cut down (even though the BC Government previously gave logging rights to companies, without Tla-o-qui-aht’s consent).
Photo:
Kyler Vos
Tla-o-qui-aht Nation's Tribal Parks Guardians have led the push to preserve sacred old growth forests on Vancouver Island.
You will want to attend because you are looking for a First Nations’ cultural experience that will leave you transformed (with a big belly full of delicious food), while supporting the preservation of Tofino’s magical setting for many generations to come.
When You Go
Purchase your tickets today, there are only a limited amount available.
When you are purchasing naaʔuu tickets know that you are supporting Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks with an experience that will leave anyone with a Tla-o-qui-aht perspective on life and the lands they call home.
Read about how staying at the Tla-o-qui-aht owned Tin Wis Resort supports the nation’s path forward.
More naaʔuu feature coverage
Watch: Jami Savage, travel writer at Adventure Awaits, shares her naaʔuu experience with CTV Vancouver
Read more about what you are in store for when you come naaʔuu this March in Tofino.
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