Memkumlis, Indigenous settlement on Village Island, British Columbia, Canada.
Memkumlis is an Indigenous settlement on the western section of Village Island in the Johnstone Strait region. The community spreads across multiple small islands surrounded by water and connects to neighboring areas through Eliot Passage.
The settlement has roots in Indigenous occupation and reached peak population in the early 1800s. A major population decline occurred over the following decades due to historical events and circumstances.
The name Memkumlis comes from an Indigenous language and refers to the small islands positioned in front of the beach. You can see how the settlement sits within this island setting and how water shapes daily life there.
The site is accessible only by water, so visitors need a boat or must join an organized tour. It helps to contact local guides beforehand or check water conditions to plan a safe visit.
In 1921, authorities seized over 600 ceremonial objects following a traditional Potlatch ceremony and arrested dozens of participants. This event marked a tragic moment in the suppression of Indigenous practices and remains a significant part of local memory.
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