The
Nuu chah nulth Peoples of Vancouver Island's west coast
once held sea otters in high regard. Chiefs and nobility
wore sea otter pelts as signs of prestige and status.
They
were collected by chiefs as gifts to be used for important
occasions. Traditionally, hunting for sea otters was
carefully
prepared for. In fact, the hunting of no other mammal with
the exception of the whale, involved as much physical,
spiritual
and mental preparation on the part of the hunter. According
to Hesquiaht elders (the late Ben Andrews, late Mike
Tom
(Sr.), late George Ignace, late Alex Amos, late Alice Paul)
who were interviewed and taped in the 1970's, ?uusumc~,
a period of mental and spiritual preparation, was necessary
for a successful sea otter hunt. ?uusumc~,
in preparation for a sea otter hunt, involved, among other
things, bathing in special pools, ritual cleansing, and
prayer.
HISTORY
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