"The people of the west coast of Vancouver Island used to be called Nootka by Europeans. We know ourselves as Nuu-chah-nulth, which can be translated as "along the mountains" and refers to our traditional territories." - Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council.

This is the first collection of essays, articles and interviews about the Nuu-chah-nulth people, who live along the west coast of Vancouver Island (Canada) and the Olympic Peninsula (USA). Alan L. Hoover has assembled a balance of views from inside and outside Nuu-chah-nulth history, culture and art. He presents the collection in four parts:

In "Voices", the Mowachaht-Muchalaht and Huu-ay-aht nations recount their own histories, and describe who and where they are today. "Histories" offers fascinating accounts of recent history from outside the Nuu-chah-nulth culture and ancient histories and legends from inside. "Objects" highlights the different interests of those who create objects and those who collect them: are these objects art? Finally, "Journeys" relates the personal and spiritual growth of three Nuu-chah-nulth artists, and how their creations speak about where they came from and where they are now.

Nuu-chah-nulth Voices, Histories, Objects and Journeys is an important contribution to the understanding of a rich and complex society, and essential reading for anyone interested in Northwest Coast art and culture.

Alan L. Hoover worked in the RBCM's anthropology collections for 33 years and retired in 2003, as manager of the department.

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