Wickananish | The Canadian Encyclopedia

Article

Wickananish

Wickananish, or Wikinanish, meaning "having no one in front of him in the canoe," Nuu-chah-nulth (Nootka) chief (fl 1788-93). Wickananish was the leading chief at Clayoquot Sound, on the West coast of Vancouver Island, during the period of initial European contact.

Wickananish, or Wikinanish, meaning "having no one in front of him in the canoe," ​Nuu-chah-nulth (Nootka) chief (fl 1788-93). Wickananish was the leading chief at Clayoquot Sound, on the West coast of Vancouver Island, during the period of initial European contact. Because trading vessels visited Clayoquot Sound less frequently than ​Nootka Sound, Wickananish was not as well known as Maquinna but he was certainly as wealthy and powerful as his neighbour. Wickananish had achieved prominence in Nuu-chah-nulth society according to traditional patterns and then, with the coming of white settlers, he was able to consolidate and enhance his position by controlling the local maritime fur trade.