person in salmon cloak, arms outstreched by ocean

About Us

Naut’sa mawt: together as one,
with one heart & one mind.

Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council walks alongside our Member Nations on their journey towards self-determination and reclamation of culture by facilitating programs and services that positively impact Indigenous Peoples.

Proudly serving eleven Coast Salish and Kwakwaka’wakw Member Nations, we are governed by a Board of Directors and guided by the wisdom of our Elders’ Council—honouring our traditions and ancestors in the important work that we do.

Our Member Nations

The reason everything else exists.

Each of our ten Member Nations holds its own governance, territory, language, and vision. What they share is a commitment to their people — and a belief that working together makes each of them stronger. It is an honour to walk alongside them.

EXPLORE NATIONS

OUR STORY

Built by the Nations. Shaped by the years.

Incorporated in 1983 under the name Alliance Tribal Council, NmTC began with five Nations who believed that working together would make each of them stronger. By 1994, ten Nations had joined. In 2001, the organization was renamed Naut’sa mawt — a Hul’q’umín’um’ word meaning “working together as one, with one heart and one mind.”

That name is not just history. It is how we show up every day.

Our Values

The teachings that guide us.

We honour the values of our ancestors, whose footsteps have marked this land for centuries and whose knowledge guides us as we lean on the teachings of our Elders who move us forward in a good way.

NAUT’SA MAWT (Hul’q’umin’um’)

Working together as one, we walk alongside our Member Nations with shared purpose and united voices.
O’SIEM (Hul’q’umin’um’)

We respectfully welcome others and treat them with dignity and kindness.
SNUW’UY’ULH (Hul’q’umin’um’)

We are mindful of our cultural values, seek guidance from our Elders, and echo their teachings in the performance of our duties.
ČIYƐʔANA (Ayʔaǰuθɛm)

We listen with peaceful hearts and open minds.
DÁDOSET (Senćoŧen)

We learn from each other, celebrating our diversity and including all voices, perspectives, and approaches.
QWAM-KWUM TSUN SHQ. WULUWUN (Hul’q’umin’um’)

Together, we make up our minds to be strong.

Strategic Plan

Direction, grounded in purpose.

Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council’s Strategic Plan reflects our collective vision for the future Guided by the wisdom of our Elders and the voices of our Member Nations, this plan outlines our shared priorities and the pathways that will carry us forward.

The artwork above, inspired by the phrase, “we’re all in the same canoe,” illustrates our collective journey towards a unified vision.

Our Goals

The Wolf is a protective figure that signifies family bonds, trust, and teamwork. In many stories, not only does the wolf protects its own family members and other wolves, but also other animals, figures and humans. Wolves are a great symbol for ethics and strong choices for the greater good.

Frog is the storytelling figure, one who for generations has been known to spread knowledge and teachings. In order to teach, one must also be able to listen and learn with patience and respect.

The Beaver is a symbol of a hard workers and teamwork, as well as cooperation and a key player in the harmony of nature. With their dams, the beaver creates an entire new ecosystem of stiller, gentler water where other plants and animals are able to thrive.

The dragonfly is representative of diligence, perseverance, and hard work. The dragonfly implies thoroughness through its precision and speed, being the fasted flying insect.