Who we are
Maasuu-aht adventures and cultural tours is an Indigenous owned and operated business located in yuułuʔiłʔatḥ haahuułi (Ucluelet First Nations territory). Our main focus is to offer Indigenous led harbour tours in the Ucluelet harbour focusing on history, language and culture. Maasuu-aht Adventures is owned and operated by Tim Masso and his family. Tim is Nuu-chah-nulth from the Tla-o-qui-aht First nations with a passion for revitalizing and preserving his Nuu-chah-nulth language. Growing up on the coast Tim and his family have always been on the water, and Maasuu-aht Adventures is a way to bring together Tim’s love for his language and culture as well as his love for the water.
Map Image credit: FNHA
Where we are
nuučanuł
Across canada there are over 630 registered First nations (not including Métis and Inuit). Through out these nations are diverse language and cultural groups.
The west coast of Vancouver Island is home to the Nuu-chah-nulth Nations, a large language/cultural group. Nuu-chah-nulth roughy translates to “all along the mountains and sea.” Their territory extends inland from the mountain ranges out to the ocean as far as one can see.
Nuu-chah-nulth people are tied together through distinct language, land, culture, art and history. They have lived here since time immemorial and continue to care for these haahuułi (territories) today.
The Nuu-chah-nulth Language
Alphabet guide Credit SD70
Nuučaanuł is the language of the land around us. While the language connects all the Nuu-chah-nulth nations, there are also some dialects within the language itself, which some language experts explain come from the differences in the land and territories- the winds, the currents, the landscapes, the people.
As with Indigenous languages across canada, nuučaanuł was systematically silenced throughout generations, through government practices and policies. Thankfully, through the extensive work and dedication of countless Nuu-chah-nulth Elders and language speakers - and supported through up and coming learners, activists, youth and linguists - the Nuu-chah-nulth language is beginning to be revitalized and some of our children are once again hearing the language from birth. While our hearts are so happy to hear and see the language of the land more often, there is still so much work to be done and it will be up to everyone to keep the language alive.
