Our Story

THE THUNDERBIRD

Protector of Our Lands and Water

The Thunderbird is a majestic creature who protects the Uchucklesaht Tribe and rests in what is known as the “The Thunderbird’s Nest”, made up of 5 mountain tops in the region around Hucuktlis [Ho-Chuck-lis] Lake, British Columbia.

IN A FLASH

It is believed that the Thunderbird flashes its eyes to create lightning and flaps its wings to deliver thunder over the lands of the Uchucklesaht; known at times as the rainiest region in the entire world. In this way, the Thunderbird is said to be the guardian of the tribe’s sacred lake and the keeper of its pristine supply of drinking water.

A LEGEND OF NATURE

It is believed that the Thunderbird can carry an entire lake of water on its mighty back releasing the water in torrential downpours. Its huge, curved talons tip each toe, like those of a giant eagle or vulture. The powerful wings with feathers as long as canoe paddles send claps of thunder echoing through the air.

The legend represented both the danger and beauty found in nature. The lighting and hail often caused destruction, as the Thunderbird sored through the sky. However, the rain that fell gave life to the land and its people.

OUR STORY

The Uchuklesaht Tribe

The Uchuklesaht Tribe is one of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribes located in the Barkley Sound on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Blessed with many sacred and protected areas within their lands, the tribe has been conducting spiritual practices for centuries while living off their lands by hunting, gathering seafood, fishing and harvesting medicinal resources. One of the most sacred spots within their territory is an underground artesian spring near Hucuktlis [Ho-Chuck-lis] Lake, which delivers what some might call, the freshest and purest water on the planet.

Thunderbird Spirit Water comes from the award winning T’iitsk’in [teet-skin] spring water nestled in the beautiful mountainous western shores of Vancouver Island.

Fierce Pacific storms constantly replenish the waters that flow into the towering five mountain-peaks known as Thunderbird’s Nest or T’iitsk’in Paawats [Teet-Skin Powats]. The earth itself filters and purifies Thunderbird Spirit Water as it naturally passes through underground filters ridding itself from microbes and pollutants as it flows naturally toward the spring.

Fully sustainable and continually replenished by the rain, this sacred and protected source is found on the lands of the Uchuklesaht Tribe.

SACRED SPRING SOURCE

Thunderbird Spirit Water is one of the economic ventures that the Uchucklesaht Tribe Government has been working on. The source of the water is in the tribes traditional territories and has been a vision of Chief Charlie Cootes since the 1990s.

Today we have a fully upgraded and modified plant in Port Alberni, British Columbia Canada. Our industrial plant was designed in order to maintain the exceptional natural quality of Thunderbird Spirit Water, and achieve the highest degree of efficiency during production, while still respecting the environment. We are now producing glass bottles and boxed water ready for sale and export. Each bottle is produced with un-compromised quality, and are @eatdrinkbuybc certified.

We are a proud Indigenous-Canadian brand, created with sustainability in mind. Our award winning 10L boxed water, celebrates our Indigenous artists and represent both traditional oral histories and contemporary expressions of identity. The vision is now carried on by current Chief Wilfred Cootes Jr. and his development of new exciting products.