Snaw-naw-as (Nanoose) First Nation is located on the east coast of Vancouver Island in Nanoose Bay, between Parksville and Nanaimo and adjacent to the city of Lantzville. The Nation’s traditional territory once spread across village sites throughout the mid-island region of Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.
The Snaw-naw-as name commemorates the sole survivor of a historic 19th-century battle and derives from the Halkomelem word “Naus,” meaning “the way in the harbour” — a fitting reference to the sheltered shape of Nanoose Bay. The traditional language is Hul’q’umi’num’, one of three branches of Halkomelem spoken from Nanoose to Oregon, and the community is one of the most northern Coast Salish peoples on the east side of Vancouver Island.
Guided by the belief that “we have always been here,” Snaw-naw-as governs through policies grounded in its own values and traditions, and works alongside Malahat, Songhees, T’Sou-ke and Snuneymuxw and 18 other Nations of the Salish Sea as a member of both the Naut’sa mawt Tribal Council to revitalize language and preserve tradition.
284 (as of June 2026)