Pettytine's Day
Tzouhalem, Chief of the Cowichan First Nation during the mid-1800's, is arguably one of the most fascinating and polarizing figures in Canadian history. His story is a matter of historic record yet is…
Pettytine's Day
Tzouhalem, Chief of the Cowichan First Nation during the mid-1800's, is arguably one of the most fascinating and polarizing figures in Canadian history. His story is a matter of historic record yet is the subject of legend. There is a mountain, road, and other landmarks on Cowichan territory named after him. It is generally believed that Tzouhalem, a deformed First Nations boy, was raised by his grandmother, after his mother and brother were taken away during a Haida raid. His grandma began to raise him as a warrior; she told him to never forget the pain the Haida caused him and to seek revenge. Through his strength of character and the mystical powers taught to him by his grandmother, Tzouhalem subdued his rivals, and transformed himself into one of the most powerful First Nations leaders in the Pacific Northwest. Tzouhalem trained in the forest alone, meeting spiritual guides and gaining supernatural powers. In one instance, while diving near Cowichan, he met beautiful women in a cave who agreed to give him powers to wield in battle, but warned him that if he went too far, it would be a woman who would kill him. He grew stronger and eventually became Chief. Evoked by his past trauma and revenge-seeking mindset, he led successful and brutal attacks on invaders from the north, assuming command of the Hwutl'upnets (Maple Bay) Battle - one of the bloodiest battles in coastal Indigenous history. The fight brought southern tribes together to form a strong Coast Salish Nation, the resulting success of the battle for Tzouhalem and his allies creating serious peace talks between nations. According to the film, Tzouhalem, still fed by power and ego, continued to lead attacks. He was known to have at least nine wives at a time. Some say 12, while others say 13. It's even known to be 14. He began killing other leaders for their wives. His ruthless and tyrant-like behaviour frightened his own people, forcing them to banish him through a setup. Chief Tzouhalem was killed, ironically, by a woman after attempting to take the wife of another strong leader, succumbing to his own immorality. Many believe his skull was brought back to his people where he was laid to rest on Mount Tzouhalem, as it is known today. This documentary, through interviews and creative re-enactments, examines the near-mythic figure of Cowichan Chief Tzouhalem, the account of his life from both historians and First Nations Elders, the folkloric tales concerning him, his impact on the modern relationship between the Crown and First Nations, and how his legend remains alive to this day, examining critically how his story has been told and passed down to us.
Pettytine's Day
Drama
Film Details
Tzouhalem, Chief of the Cowichan First Nation during the mid-1800's, is arguably one of the most fascinating and polarizing figures in Canadian history. His story is a matter of historic record yet is the subject of legend. There is a mountain, road, and other landmarks on Cowichan territory named after him.
It is generally believed that Tzouhalem, a deformed First Nations boy, was raised by his grandmother, after his mother and brother were taken away during a Haida raid. His grandma began to raise him as a warrior; she told him to never forget the pain the Haida caused him and to seek revenge. Through his strength of character and the mystical powers taught to him by his grandmother, Tzouhalem subdued his rivals, and transformed himself into one of the most powerful First Nations leaders in the Pacific Northwest.
Tzouhalem trained in the forest alone, meeting spiritual guides and gaining supernatural powers. In one instance, while diving near Cowichan, he met beautiful women in a cave who agreed to give him powers to wield in battle, but warned him that if he went too far, it would be a woman who would kill him. He grew stronger and eventually became Chief.
Evoked by his past trauma and revenge-seeking mindset, he led successful and brutal attacks on invaders from the north, assuming command of the Hwutl'upnets (Maple Bay) Battle - one of the bloodiest battles in coastal Indigenous history. The fight brought southern tribes together to form a strong Coast Salish Nation, the resulting success of the battle for Tzouhalem and his allies creating serious peace talks between nations. According to the film, Tzouhalem, still fed by power and ego, continued to lead attacks.
He was known to have at least nine wives at a time. Some say 12, while others say 13. It's even known to be 14.
He began killing other leaders for their wives. His ruthless and tyrant-like behaviour frightened his own people, forcing them to banish him through a setup. Chief Tzouhalem was killed, ironically, by a woman after attempting to take the wife of another strong leader, succumbing to his own immorality.
Many believe his skull was brought back to his people where he was laid to rest on Mount Tzouhalem, as it is known today. This documentary, through interviews and creative re-enactments, examines the near-mythic figure of Cowichan Chief Tzouhalem, the account of his life from both historians and First Nations Elders, the folkloric tales concerning him, his impact on the modern relationship between the Crown and First Nations, and how his legend remains alive to this day, examining critically how his story has been told and passed down to us..