Heiltsuk is spoken on the north central coast of mainland British Columbia around Bella Bella and Klemtu.
This language is spoken by three groups of people: the Bella Bella (/p@lbálá/), the Haihais (/xíxís/), and the Oweekeno /?uwik'inuxw/. Heiltsuk an anglicization of /hilhzhaqw/, refers to the language spoken by Bella Bella and Haihai people. The language of the Oweekeno is called /?uwík'ala/ ``Oweekala''. Heiltsuk and Oweekyala are dialects of a language that has no traditional name.
Heiltsuk is a Wakashan language.
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Yinka Déné Language Institute © 2006