The Story Behind the Uchucklesaht Logo

The Uchucklesaht Tribe logo was created in the 1970s by Samson Robinson, a respected artist, fisherman, carver, and former Chief of the Uchucklesaht Tribe.

Samson Robinson was a well known artist, carver and fisherman. He had his first child in 1949 with his wife Helen Rush. They had a total of 10 children together and raised them at the first Village of Cowishil, located in Uchucklesaht ḥaḥuułi.

The logo draws from the story of paawacukʔi t̓iick̓in – the Thunderbird Nest, located within Uchucklesaht ḥaḥuułi near Hucuktlis Lake. According to Nuu-chah-nulth teachings, this mountain is home to the final Thunderbird.

Thunderbirds hold deep significance within nuučaan̓uł – Nuuchahnulth teachings and are associated with storms, whales, whaling, strength, and spiritual power.

The Thunderbirds are known to cause thunder and lightning which comes from Haailik, the serpent that acts as the Thunderbird’s belt. When the Thunderbird flaps his wings or even moves a quill, the thunder peals. When he blinks his eyes, the lightning strikes. Upon his back is a lake from which the water pours in thunderstorms.

This thunderbird is the lone survivor of four great Thunder Birds, which dwelt upon the mountains. The mighty birds sustained themselves on whales, which they would carry to the mountain peaks.

Robinson designed the logo with these teachings in mind, grounding the symbol directly in Uchucklesaht ḥaḥuułi, story, and cultural memory.

For ḥuučuqƛisʔatḥ, the logo is more than a mark. It carries place, teaching, history, and identity.

Story contributed by Carla Halvorsen, Director of Operations, Law Clerk, Registrar at UTG
Edited by Rippon Madtha