Welcome to the Village of Tahsis, nestled in the heart of Nootka Sound Tahsis is a premier ecotourism destination and beautiful nature getaway on Vancouver Island With more than 50km of passages, Tahsis is also one of Canada's caving meccas Hiking in Tahsis frequently leads to spectacular mountain overlooks Land and marine animals are abundant in the area, making for outstanding wildlife viewing With numerous docks and marinas, Tahsis is a perfect launching point for diving, kayaking and fishing Old-growth forests surround Tahsis and visitors are often amazed by the size of these giant trees The scenery in Tahsis is ever-changing, making it a great ecotourism vacation in any season

Mowachaht/Muchalaht Territory

First Nations Art

The members of the Mowachaht/Muchalaht, Nuchatlaht, and Ehattesaht First Nations are the Nuu-chah-nulth-speaking tribes whose traditional territories included all of the area known today as Nootka Sound. Archaeological evidence confirms the occupation of the region by the First Nations people to be in excess of 4,200 years.

Yuquot, also known as Friendly Cove, was the summer home of Chief Maquinna and the Mowachaht/Muchalaht people, and retains historic significance today as the site of the first contact between Europeans and First Nations people in British Columbia.

Mowachaht/Muchalaht Today

Currently, the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations people number about 1,000 and are scattered throughout northern Vancouver Island, with villages located at Espinoza Inlet (Ocluje), near the Village of Zeballos (Ehatis), and Gold River (Tsaxana).

Tahsis Docks

Today, the council of the Village of Tahsis is working hard to welcome these First Nations home. The mayor publicly acknowledges traditional territory at the outset of every council meeting, and staff is constantly striving to open and improve the lines of communication between the Village and the Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation. Tahsis children are also taught Nuu-chah-nulth language and culture at the local school.

Our vision is that Tahsis will again one day be a safe haven for all its traditional First Nations and residents alike, a place for all to come together as one.