Experience the naaʔuu cultural feast: Powered by women of Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation
The Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation welcomes visitors this June for a three-hour cultural dining experience, called naaʔuu, at Tin Wis Resort in Tofino. Photo courtesy Tin Wis Resort
Now into its second year, Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation is excited to announce its roster for its experience team that is impressing guests at their cultural feast, called naaʔuu.
The three-hour dinner and cultural experience has returned to Tin Wis Resort (Tofino) Friday June 7 for weekend dates until June 29. Visitors and locals purchase tickets to witness the experience and enjoy an all they can eat seafood buffet, harvested by and cooked by Tla-o-qui-aht citizens.
Buy your naaʔuu tickets today at eventbrite.com/e/welcome-to-tofino-tla-o-qui-aht-first-nations-naauu-tickets-795442418687?aff=oddtdtcreator!
Co-Producer Maria Clark sees naaʔuu as a springboard to a much more ambitious plan for Tla-o-qui-aht citizens to realize a bigger piece of Tofino’s multi-million-dollar tourism economy. “naaʔuu provides a platform for our people to showcase our culture, on our terms, and includes spinoffs to future opportunities growing Tla-o-qui-aht’s piece of the Tofino Tourism pie.”
The three-hour dinner and cultural experience returns this Friday, June 7, with weekend dates through June 29. Photo courtesy Tin Wis Resort
The event series production team includes 21 Tla-o-qui-aht citizens, 14 of them women, in top positions including:
- Roberta Tom, Caterer
- Maria Clark, Co-Producer
- Allison Howard, Host
- Ivy Cargill- Martin, Creative Designer
- Tla-o-qui-aht Dancers; Anna David, Rae Amos, Bev Dorward & Denise Amos
Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation naaʔuu caterer Roberta Tom is leveraging this opportunity to launch her own catering business. “People know about Chinese food and Italian food, but I want them to know about our food, Tla-o-qui-aht’s diet and what we eat,” she says.
You can learn more about “what’s cooking” via Tom and her team by making your naaʔuu ticket purchase today.
For Ivy Cargill-Martin, the experience is about showcasing Tla-o-qui-aht art, something that has been with her since she was first born, growing up in a house full of artists and cultural stewards. You can hear Cargill-Martin’s passion for what she loves come through, via this recent Tuff City Radio spot where she explains the plans she has in place for fortunate naaʔuu ticket buyers.
After its successful debut weekend in May, event continues its run Friday and Saturday nights, June 7 through June 29, 2024, and tickets can be bought off the event website. To learn more about Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation’s naaʔuu, please visit their website at www.naauu.com
When you Go:
Stay: Tla-o-qui-aht-owned Tin Wis Resort, about five minutes from downtown Tofino; all rooms are oceanfront
Book: An e-bike ahead of time for your Tla-o-qui-aht time to experience the new multi-use bike path connecting you from the Tin Wis Resort through the Pacific Rim National Park.
Feast: Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation’s naaʔuu includes an all-you-can-eat seafood buffet, for the full menu and further information check out their Eventbrite page.