Our History
We have existed in this land since time immemorial, and our legal practices are grounded in the institution of the Potlatch. Our chiefs continue to reaffirm our rightful place by holding Potlatches, most recently in 2019.
Ma’amtagila jurisdiction is based first and foremost in Our Origin Stories.
Post-Contact history
The time after the arrival of settlers on our territory is sometimes called the “Common Era.”
First contact was made by the ‘Na̱mg̱is and Captain Vancouver in 1792, when Captain Vancouver landed at Xwa̱lkw. The exact date of first contact with the Ma’a̱mtagila is unknown.
During this time, we have been called several names:
The Ma’amtagila were first recognized by the Canadian government in 1879. At that time, they called us the Matilpi or Mahteelthpe Tribe (also spelled Ma'diłbe). This was confirmed by Joint Indian Reserve Commission in 1886 and again by the Royal Commission on Indian Affairs in BC (McKenna-McBride) in 1914.
The first Ma’a̱mtagila census was done in 1879. Only the male names were recorded along with the number and gender of people in that persons nuclear family. The Second Census on the Ma’a̱mtagila was done in 1881. This time the names of all members of the tribe were recorded, and orginized into houses.
Twenty years after the second census in 1881, the population of the Ma’a̱mtagila had halved from 84 to 43. It was around this time that the Ma’a̱mtagila left I’tsiki̱n and moved in with the Ławitsis at Ḵalugwis. In this Census the Ma’a̱mtagila are orginzied based on their relation to the family head, also included is the place of birth of each person.
In 1945, the Matilpi Tribe amalgamated with the nearby Klowitsis Tribe, and the Department of Indian Affairs renamed us the Turnour Island Tribe.
In 1983, the Turnour Island Tribe was renamed the Tlowitsis-Mumtagila First Nation.
In 1998, leadership of the Tlowitsis-Mumtagila First Nation removed ‘Mumtagila’ from the name, declaring that “the Chiefs of the Mumtagila ceded title and authority to their lands to the chiefs of the Tlowitsis.” The Ma’amtagila dispute this claim. No Ma’amtagila chief has ever ceded title or authority over our lands, to anyone.
We are today and always — the Ma’amtagila.
Potlatch of Chief Andrew Wadhams, held on ‘Namgis Territory in Alert Bay, BC.
Elder Hamasuwidi Maxine Matilpi speaking at the BC Legislature
Hereditary Ma'a̱mtagila Chiefs Siwis' & Siwitti Wakas
Ma'a̱mtagila head chief Max̱wayalidzi (Sam Umbalis Matilpi) in the centre, with his eldest grandson Owadi James Wadhams behind him.
Post-Contact Timeline
1810 Ma’amtagila split from Kwakiutl
1825 Ma’amtagila move to Port Harvey region
1827 Aemelius Simpson from the HBC made contact with Matipli in Port Neville
1835 Ma’amtagila recognized in Johnstone Strait by HBC administrators, as the Matilpi
1879 Ma’amtagila recognized by the Dominion Government as the Mahteelthpe Tribe, part of the Kwakewlth Agency. Commissioner G.M. Sproat of the Joint Indian Reserve Commission sets aside four land allotments.
1886 The reserves recommended by Sproat are confirmed by the Department of Indian Affairs, including the village site Itsekin (also known as Matilpi Village)
1890s Many Ma’amtagila begin to move from Itsekin to the Tlowitsis village at Kalugwis
1914 Chief Lagis speaks to the McKenna-McBride Commission
1916 The Royal Commission on Indian Affairs in British Columbia re-confirms four reserves for the Mahteelthpe Tribe: "No. 1 Etsekin, 32.5 acres; No. 2 Keecekiltum or Port Harvey, 29 acres; No. 3 Haylahte, 47 acres, and No. 4 Port Neville or Harkhom, 36.7 acres."
1945 Tlowitsis and Matilpi/Ma’amtagila are formally amalgamated as the Turnour Island Band with two chiefs
1955 First election held for the Turnour Island Band for only one chief, Alec Smith
1960-64 Alec Smith is re-elected in DIA elections
Chief Basil Ambers & the Ambers Family
1968-1975 No elections are held
1975 Chief Alec Smith announces that there will be no more elections
1976 Election is held in Alert Bay: Ma’amtagila hereditary chief Basil Ambers elected chief, Alec Smith does not concede
1982 Alec Smith names brother John as his successor as Chief-For-Life
1983 Name changed from “Turnour Island Band” to “Tlowitsis-Mumtagila First Nation”
1998 ‘Mumtagila’ removed from name, leaving only “Tlowitsis First Nation”
2005 Chief Basil Ambers asserts Ma’amtagila nationhood at Eve River
2005 Tlowitsis begins treaty negotiations with both the provincial and federal governments. Ma’amtagila members of the Tlowitsis Nation openly oppose the exclusion of Ma’amtagila leadership.
2005-2020 Formal processes of Indigenous recognition occur on both Ma’amtagila Territory and ‘Namgis Territory (Alert Bay), recognized as one of the Tribes of the Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw. Potlatches & feasts are how we lift up our family in ceremony, and reconfirm our commitment our culture.
Three Ma’amtagila chiefs hold potlatches in this time: Musgamdzi Tim Alfred, Makwala Rande Cook & Andrew Wadhams.
Each also hold several Feasts, as do the families of Sam Umbalis Matilpi, Ned Matilpi & Peter Fred
2021 BC Treaty Commission announces that the Tlowitsis Nation is now in Stage 5 of 6 the Treaty Process. Stage 6 would be the implementation of the agreement.
No Ma’amtagila have been present for any the treaty negotiations, which include all the reserve land of the Ma’amtagila & all of our Traditional Territory
2021 Ma'amtagila Nation Seeks Recognition of Inextinguishable Rights & Title