Bella Coola

by Cliff Kopas

In what has been called "regional history of the best kind," "Bella Coola" blends anecdote, legend, fact and a cast of vibrant characters into a highly readable account of a remote but very special place. Soon after 22-year-old Cliff Kopas arrived with his bride in Bella Coola, he began to appreciate the rich heritage of the long-inhabited coast and the adjacent plateau that he had recently crossed to reach his new home. Alexander Mackenzie had arrived in this ancient homeland of the Nuxalk people in 1793, completing his overland journey to the Pacific. After 1858, a portion of the gold-hungry horde from around the world used this port as a gateway to the Cariboo goldfields. And years after that, a government army landed here en route to the confrontations that would be known as the Chilcotin War. Settlers arrived by both land and sea, and as this unique community grew, it welcomed newcomers like Cliff Kopas. Fortunately for those who have followed, Kopas listened to the stories about the early history and the Native mythology of the coastal people.

296 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

Reviews

[Jennifer Aitkens · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked up this book because I once lived in Bella Coola (in British Columbia) and it is the only place I've never been able to return to.

Unfortunately, it is too dense to be the kind of light reading I was hoping for.

As far as I got, it does appear to be a very thorough history of the area. I will keep it on my shelf and give it a second chance when I've managed to return to the area and see it as an adult.

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great historical overview.