The Halalt are Coast Salish people, a part of Hul’qumi’num Nation which also includes Cowichan Tribes, Lake Cowichan First Nation, Lyackson First Nation, Penelakut Tribe, and Stz’uminus First Nation.
For thousands of years, the Halat have lived in, travelled and fished the waterways of Bonsall Creek, Chemainus River, the Salish Sea, and the Strait of Georgia.
Also known as xeláltxw mustimuhw, the Halat say they originated from the village of xeláltxw, which means ‘marked houses’ or ‘painted houses’, a reference to the fact that the houseposts in this village were decorated.
Adapted from the Halat First Nation’s official website