Babine

In its broader sense, Babine (sometimes spelled Babeen in older English-language texts) refers to the Athabascan indigenous peoples who speak the Babine dialect of the Babine-Witsuwit'en language in the vicinity of the Babine River, Babine Lake, Trembleur Lake, and Takla Lake in the central interior of British Columbia, Canada.

For the alcoholic beverage made from avocado leaves, see Babine (alcoholic beverage).
Nadot'en
Regions with significant populations
 Canada ( British Columbia)
Languages
English, Babine-Witsuwit'en
Religion
Christianity, Animism
Related ethnic groups
Wet'suwet'en, Dakelh

In its narrower sense, Babine refers to the subset of Babine speakers who belong to the Lake Babine Nation, a band comprising three main communities:

  • Fort Babine (traditional name: Wit'at, approx. 100 full-time residents);
  • Tachet (approx. 100 full-time residents);
  • and Woyenne (next to the village of Burns Lake, approx. 800 residents).

The term Babine is of French origin, meaning "lippy", because when first encountered by fur traders Babine women wore labrets. Although perceived by some as disparaging, the band prefers to use the name "Lake Babine Nation" because it emphasizes the connection of the people to their traditional territory around Babine Lake. Other ethnonyms associated with the Babine in historical literature incorrectly include Chemesyan or Chimpseyan, which is an archaic term used for all Tsimshianic peoples, usually the Tsimshian.

The Babine is located in the Skeena River watershed.

See also

Bibliography
  • Cis Dideen Kat: the Way of the Lake Babine Nation, Jo-Anne Fiske and Betty Patrick, Vancouver: UBC Press, 2000.
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