Maaqwi

Maaqwi, also sometimes spelled Maaxwi, is a Nuu-chah-nulth word, specifically from the Central Region dialect. It broadly translates to "deer" in English. However, the meaning is nuanced and can also refer to deer meat as food. The term is integral to Nuu-chah-nulth culture, appearing in stories, ceremonies, and traditional ecological knowledge relating to the animal's importance as a resource and its role in the ecosystem. Its significance goes beyond a simple translation, reflecting the cultural relationship and deep understanding the Nuu-chah-nulth people have with deer.