James Douglas and the Colony of British Columbia
James Douglas was part black, married to an aboriginal woman, he spoke the Chinook Jargon trade language and had already successfully opposed the legislature in Victoria which had wanted to remove the local Songhees reserve. He was appointed first Governor of British Columbia and he and Colonial Secretary Lytton established the Colony on two key principles:
- First Nations communities would remain permanently in place permanently. This was in opposition to what had happened just south of the 49th parallel where people were moved to distant reservations.
- Native people could preempt land privately off of the reserves but this land would also be available to new immigrants.
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Early British Columbia and the Hudson’s Bay Company: An Aboriginal Perspective
Judge Begbie: British Columbia History
Can You Speak British Columbian? Part II
Chinook Wawa is linked with the history of British Columbia. We might even call one form of it British Columbian.
Many languages lent words to Chinook Wawa: Nootka Jargon, French Canadien, Salishan Chehalis, and of course, Chinook.
We might even call one form of it British Columbian. Part aboriginal, part non-aboriginal, many words come from an earlier hybrid language – Nootka Jargon.
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First Nations Architecture, Building, & Culture
Can You Speak British Columbian?
Chinook Wawa is linked with the history of British Columbia. We might even call one form of it British Columbian.
James Cook and his midshipman George Vancouver sojourned at Nootka Sound. Their Nuuchahnulth word lists became a Nootka Jargon that spread through the Maritime Fur Trade.
Supported by Chief Concomly and the Chinook Nation, Fort George became the Canadian depot for Columbia furs. French-speaking traders married into Chinook families and learned a Broken Chinook.