Opitsaht

Opitsaht, spelled also as Opitsat and Opitsitah, is a First Nations settlement/community in the Southwest area of Meares Island, Clayoquot South, British Columbia.

The Tla-o-qui-aht are an Indigenous group from the Pacific Northwest region in the lower Vancouver area, known for their lifestyle revolving around the marine life trade and culture within the community.

[6] Historically, the inhabitants of Opitsaht had good access to marine life including salmon, sea otters, and even whales.

The original village of Opitsaht was destroyed by the American Captain Robert Gray, after tensions arose between the Tla-o-qui-aht people and the European settlers who had made contact.

Tla-o-qui-aht people were forced onto reservations and residential schools, all various methods to control the Native way of life under The Indian Act.

Environmental tensions arose in the Meares Islands area after British Columbia's government wanted to cut down the old forests in Clayoquot South.

These old forests were considered tribal ground and ancient woodlands, sparking a resistance and large-scale protest of the area, known as the "War in the Woods".

[15] The most popular of these theatricals were Potlatch, ceremonies to distribute and show personal trade goods, develop treaties, and redistribute wealth among internal or neighboring tribes.

[15] The Tla-o-qui-aht people followed a religion similar to those of the Northwest Pacific Coast Indians, centered around the spirits in the world and a higher being.

Religious practices are encouraged by the Nuu-chah-nulth nation, with traditional shamans upkeeping ancient medicines and healing rituals.