Clo-oose, British Columbia
Encyclopedia
Clo-oose is a village of the Ditidaht people in the Canadian province of British Columbia
. It is located just southwest of the west end of Nitinat Lake
in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
on the west coast of Vancouver Island
, about 65 kilometres (40.4 mi) south of Port Alberni. Its population is approximately 50 and consists of members of the Ditidaht First Nation
. The village is located entirely on Claoose Indian Reserve No. 4 but the name refers to the locality beyond the reserve also, which has in the past had non-native residents.
word 'tlu7uus which means "camping place."
It is not clear when Clo-oose first became a permanent village. When the reserve was surveyed in 1892, there were seven houses and in 1906, John T. Walbran mentioned it by name in his book on British Columbia coast names: "Clo-oose, situated about a mile eastward of the entrance to Nitinat Lake, is ... the principle village in the neighbourhood".
Prior to its establishment as a village, it served as a favourite resting spot for the native halibut fishermen. On 1 September 1911, the Clo-oose post office was opened and it served the community for nearly 55 years, finally closing on 11 August 1966.
Canadian poet
Marjorie Pickthall
lived in Clo-oose in 1921-1922, and the community is mentioned in her poem, "The Sailor's Grave at Clo-oose, V.I.".
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. It is located just southwest of the west end of Nitinat Lake
Nitinat Lake
Nitinat Lake is a large lake and inlet on the southwestern coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. The lake is about northwest by road from Victoria, BC's capital on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, and about southeast by road from the town of Lake Cowichan...
in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve is a Canadian national park reserve in British Columbia made up of three separate regions: Long Beach, the Broken Group Islands, and the West Coast Trail. The entire park encompasses 511 km² of land and ocean. The park is characterized by rugged coasts and...
on the west coast of Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island is a large island in British Columbia, Canada. It is one of several North American locations named after George Vancouver, the British Royal Navy officer who explored the Pacific Northwest coast of North America between 1791 and 1794...
, about 65 kilometres (40.4 mi) south of Port Alberni. Its population is approximately 50 and consists of members of the Ditidaht First Nation
Ditidaht First Nation
The Ditidaht First Nation is a First Nations government on southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.-See also:*Nitinaht language*Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council*Nuu-chah-nulth-External links:*...
. The village is located entirely on Claoose Indian Reserve No. 4 but the name refers to the locality beyond the reserve also, which has in the past had non-native residents.
History
The name Clo-oose comes from the NitinahtNitinaht language
Ditidaht is a South Wakashan language spoken on the southern part of Vancouver Island. Nitinaht is related to the other South Wakashan languages, Makah and the neighboring Nuu-chah-nulth....
word 'tlu7uus which means "camping place."
It is not clear when Clo-oose first became a permanent village. When the reserve was surveyed in 1892, there were seven houses and in 1906, John T. Walbran mentioned it by name in his book on British Columbia coast names: "Clo-oose, situated about a mile eastward of the entrance to Nitinat Lake, is ... the principle village in the neighbourhood".
Prior to its establishment as a village, it served as a favourite resting spot for the native halibut fishermen. On 1 September 1911, the Clo-oose post office was opened and it served the community for nearly 55 years, finally closing on 11 August 1966.
Canadian poet
Canadian poetry
- Beginnings:The earliest works of poetry, mainly written by visitors, described the new territories in optimistic terms, mainly targeted at a European audience...
Marjorie Pickthall
Marjorie Pickthall
Marjorie Lowry Christie Pickthall , was a Canadian writer who was born in England but lived in Canada from the time she was seven...
lived in Clo-oose in 1921-1922, and the community is mentioned in her poem, "The Sailor's Grave at Clo-oose, V.I.".
Meaning of the name
There are several interpretations of the Nuu-chah-nulth word "Clo-oose":- "safe landing"
- "stop to camp"
- "other men's houses"