Thomas E. Hukari has a Bachelor of Arts in anthropology from the University of Oregon and a Master of Arts and Ph.D. in linguistics from the University of Washington. He began conducting research on Coast Salish languages in 1973, when he first worked on Puget Salish in Washington state. He later concentrated on Hul'q'umi'num in British Columbia (Vancouver Island Halkomelem spoken from Cowichan Bay to Nanoose Bay on the east coast of the Island). Along with Ruby Peter, Hukari has written pedagogical and reference materials for the Cowichan Tribes (including a dictionary) and has taught numerous courses for the Tribes on writing and speaking the language. Hukari and Dr. Donna Gerdts from Simon Fraser University have collaborated on a research project that focuses on Hul'q'umi'num verb morphology and co-authored a short grammar of Vancouver Island Hul'q'umi'num. Hukari was a professor of linguistics at the University of Victoria from 1971-2007, when he was appointed Professor Emeritus.
The Hul'q'umi'num' language is spoken on Vancouver Island from Malahat in the south to Nanoose Bay in the north, with some dialect differences. Donna Gerdts (1977) suggests there may be three Island dialects: Nanaimo, Chemainus, and Cowichan. In a larger context, it can be said that the language is also spoken on the mainland, because the lower Fraser River dialects (e.g., Musqueam) and the upper Fraser River dialects of Halkomelem (or Halq'eméylem) are similar to Hul'q'umi'num' on Vancouver Island. While linguists view Hul'q'umi'num', Musqueam, and Halq'eméylem as dialects of a common language, it is also appropriate to speak of each of them as a separate language, which is closely related to the other two. Hul'q'umi'num' is widely recognized as a language of culture and ceremony and widely used beyond its traditional territory.
[Information adapted from the “Tatul'ut tthu Hul'q'umi'num'” website, an audio-visual resource of vocabulary and grammar lessons of the Hul'q'umi'num' language; Source: Thomas Hukari, University of Victoria; Date Accessed: 08/15/2023]
Field notes, final evaluations, and other materials from Thomas E. Hukari's research on the Island dialect of Hul'q'umi'num, also known as Halkomelem, spoken in southwestern Vancouver Island. Includes field notes on "Hul'q'umi'num Flora and Fauna," a 123-page printout of elicitations on lexical suffixes, and "Hul'q'umi'num Stories," which features transcriptions and translations of interviews with native speakers of the language.
“Hul’q’umi’num’ Stories” is a collection of transcripts of various native speakers of Hul’q’umi’num’, the Vancouver Island dialect of Halkomelem (Salish). Interviews were taped between 1975-1980 by Thomas Hukari and Hul’q’umi’num’ native speaker linguists taking his courses at the University of Victoria—Delores Louie (Chemainus), Ruby Peter (Quamichan), and Ellen White (Nanimo). Transcriptions are primarily by Ruby Peter, with assistance from Donna Gerdts, Thomas Hukari, and Ellen White. Translations are by Ruby Peter, with assistance from Donna Gerdts, Thomas Hukari, and Sarah Kell.
The collection of tapes was deposited to the
Thomas Hukari in connection with the Jacobs Research Fund; 2008-03-10, 2012-03-30, and 2013-03-09.
Forms part of the Jacobs Research Funds linguistic research collection.
Access restricted: For terms of access, contact University of Washington Libraries Special Collections.
Copyrights retained by creator. Contact Special Collections for details.
Transcriptions and translations of interview with Ellen Alec speaking Hul'q'umi'num'' recorded at the Koksilah Reserve (Duncan, British Columbia) in 1976; Interviewed by Ruby Peter and Thomas Hukari; History of the old people and story of the jealous husband family history; old-style marriages; history of the land; 29 pages
Transcriptions and translations of interview with Cecilia Leo Alphonse and Basil Alphonse speaking Hul'q'umi'num''; Recorded at the Quamichan Reserve in 1975; Interviewed by Ruby Peter (daughter of Cecilia and Basil); Quamichan Stories: The Little Wren, Raven and his Children, Quamichan, The Stoneheads, Canoe Races at Q'umasum'; 69 pages
Transcriptions and translations of interview with Ben Canute (of Comiaken) speaking Hul'q'umi'num''; Recorded at the Quamichan Reserve in 1975 and 1980; Interviewed by Ruby Peter; Stories: On the Flood, Thunderbird, Tzouhalem (I-II), Old Days, New Dancers; Place names, Captain Cook; 63 pages
Transcriptions and translations of interview with Elsie Canute speaking Hul'q'umi'num''; Recorded at the Quamichan Reserve in 1975; Interviewed by Ruby Peter; Stories: The Woman who had Puppies, You Beat Me Again!, What my grandfather told about, The Farting Boy, The Jealous Elder Sister, "Annie Over" (and other games), Greedy Raven, Raven at War, Mink and the Young Girl, The Three Young Men, The Ogress, Licking the plate, Grandma Teaches, The Fawn, Sneaking up (on) the Girl; 71 pages
Transcriptions and translations of interview with Pat Charlie recorded at the Quamichan Reserve in 1978 and 1980; Stories: The Shaman When He Prepares Himself, Quamichan Shaman, The Seasonal Round, Shakers Working on Him; 40 pages
Translations of interview with Michael Major Jimmy at the Koksilah Reserve (Duncan, British Columbia) in 1978; Going over museum pictures; 15 pages
Transcriptions and translations of interview with Peter Mitchell speaking Hul'q'umi'num'' recorded at Shell Beach, Chemainus First Nations (Ladysmith, British Columbia) in 1975; Interviewed by Delores Louie (Chemainus First Nations); Stories: The Schooner at Nanaimo, The Evil People, Warriors long ago; 35 pages
Transcriptions and translations of interview with Eva Thomas recorded at the Nanaimo First Nations reserve (Nanaimo, British Columbia) between 1975 to 1978; Interviewed by Ellen White (Nanaimo First Nations); Stories: Raven and his siblings, The Story of the Girl Who Went to Sea to Find the Man of her Dreams, The Two Young Hunters and the Cedar Sea Lion, Mink and the Young Ladies, Bawling out the Children; Digging clams, pitlamping, fishing, skinning otter; 53 pages
Translation of interview with Al Wise (Nanaimo) speaking Hul'q'umi'num'' recorded at the Nanaimo Reserve (Nanaimo, British Columbia) in 1977; Interviewed by Ellen White (Nanaimo); Content of the interview is place names of the Nanaimo area; 10 pages
Elicited lexical suffixes on verbal bases; 123 pages
English-translated Hul'q'umi'num'' transcriptions of 1977 interview with Kwulasulwut elder Ellen White describing 75 different plants and animals