Overview

Conversations with Khahtsahlano, 19321954 contains twenty-two years of conversations between Swxuw7mesh Chief Xats'alanexw, a.k.a. Chief August Jack Khahtsahlano, and Major J.S. Matthews. Originally published in 1955 by the Vancouver City Archives, Conversations with Khahtsahlano received a limited publication and is reproduced here in facsimile. Chief Xats'alanexw's reminiscences travel as far back as 1881. He recounts neighbourhood tales, the Traditional Stories he grew up with, local genealogies, cultural histories, and detailed accounts of practices for everything from fishing sturgeon to building houses. Knowledgeable and forthcoming, Chief Xats'alanexw's recollections weave a meticulous tapestry. After centuries of violent erasure of Indigenous world views, here is a rare first-hand account detailing traditional life of the Coast Salish peoples, an insightful record rich with art, diagrams, maps, letters, and photographs. Chief Xats'alanexw's observations give shape to the social and physical changes of the region, and offer an illuminating glimpse into so-called Vancouver in its infancy. Conversations with Khahtsahlano is an essential text that brings history indelibly to life.

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9781772014907

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Reviews

Chief X ats'alanexw provides incredible insight into the history, culture, and lifestyle of our peoples. His descriptive accounts help readers to visualize our historical villages around k'emk'emelay , learn how we've thrived off our lands for millennia and understand how we were forcibly removed from them during colonization. --Syex waliya Ann Whonnock, Sk wx wu 7mesh U xwumixw Councillor and grandniece of Chief X ats'alanexw

“Chief X̱ats’alanexw provides incredible insight into the history, culture, and lifestyle of our peoples. His descriptive accounts help readers to visualize our historical villages around k’emk’emeláy̓, learn how we’ve thrived off our lands for millennia and understand how we were forcibly removed from them during colonization.” —Syex̱wáliya Ann Whonnock, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw Councillor and grandniece of Chief X̱ats’alanexw ""A fascinating and important document."" –Michael Hayward, Geist Magazine

Author Information

Chief Xats'alanexw(18771971), a.k.a. Chief August Jack Khatsahlano, was a Chief of the Swxuw7mesh people. He was born in the village of Xwxway/xayxy on the peninsula that is now Stanley Park, Vancouver, British Columbia.

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