Hoobiyee at Vancouver’s PNE Forum; Photo: Nisga’a Ts’amiks Vancouver Society
The Nisga’a Nation, whose traditional territories are located in northwestern British Columbia, celebrate their New Year, Hoobiyee, in February and March. Over 6,000 people strong, members of the Nisga’a Nation also reside across the province, including a substantial community in Vancouver.
Hoobiyee, pronounced “Ho-bee-yeah,” can also be spelled as hobiyee, hobiiyee, and hoobiiyee. It marks the arrival of the first crescent moon—likened to the shape of the bowl of a Nisga’a wooden spoon (hoobix)—and the start of the month buxw-laks. Historically, February was usually the coldest time of year for the Nass Valley in northwestern BC when winter supplies
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