Ethnologue

Heiltsuk

ISO 639-3

Alternate Names

Hailhzaqvla

Population

66 (FPCC 2014). 50 semi-speakers; 6 remaining speakers of Oowekyala (FPCC 2014). Ethnic population: 2,530 (FPCC 2014).

Location

British Columbia province: Bella Bella and Kitasoo villages, Rivers Inlet area.

Language Maps

Language Status

7 (Shifting). Language of recognized indigenous peoples: Heiltsuk, Wuikinuxv.

Classification

Dialects

Bella Bella (Belbellah, Northern Heiltsuk), Oowekyala (Heiltsuk-Oweek’ala, Oowekeno, Oweek’ala, ’Uikala). Related to Haisla [has] and Kwakiutl [kwk].

Language Use

Adults only. Also use English [eng].

Language Development

Local teaching program in Bella Bella. Dictionary. Texts.

Language Resources