The Story of Whoi Whoi (X̱wáýx̱way)

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Long before the land was constructed into a park, the area was home to one of the largest First Nations villages in the lower mainland, X̱wáýx̱way or Whoi Whoi, which is estimated to be over 3000 years old. The infrastructure consisted of a several buildings along the shore and a massive longhouse known as the big house, " …was more than 60 metres long and about 20 metres wide", according to the late Chief August Jack Khatsahlano in an interview with Vancouver historian J.S. Matthews. The majority of the residence resided in the house, including Khatsahlano when he was a child, "More than 100 people in 11 families lived there." The building itself was constructed from cedar wood found in the surrounding woodland.
They utilized the nearby bay for fishing, as was incredibly common during this time, and gathered herbs and other plants from the forest to eat, as well as to craft medicine from. For instance western Hemlock shoots were a source of vitamin C and Douglas Fir sap could be used to treat gum diseases. These natural remedies are still used by many Indigenous communities today.

Unfortunately in 1792 a Whoi Whoi contingent 'welcomed' George Vancouver to the area; this was the catalyst that would ultimately end in the destruction of the village. From this point on, Europeans began cultivating the land, bringing with them foreign animals; cows, pigs, chickens and horses. They created settlements in the area and would eventually go on to open the peninsula as Stanley Park.

Close-up from a map of First Nations settlements in 
downtown Vancouver, Stanley Park, Kitsilano
and East Vancouver. Compiled by Major JS
  Matthews of the Vancouver Archives circa 1932. 



Whoi Whoi was destroyed in 1887 to make way for the first park road and the remaining residents were evicted. Today Lumberman's Arch stands in its place. 


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