Klew Nu

Chief Walter Wright, a Gisbutwada Sm’oogyet of Kitselas, said in the 1930s that Xpilaxha once lived near the present settlement of Usk, at a town called Klew Nu, “The place where the Moon hides behind the mountain”. Walter Wright went on to relate the effect an early morning raid on Klew Nu had on the early history of Kitsumkalum.

Sleep-numbed, Stee How and his followers staggered through their doorways. They were met by Kitselas men alert and keen to make short work of their task of revenge. It was a fierce fight, but the issue was never in doubt. Everything was in favour of the invaders, and that night most of the men of Klew Nu passed to the Spirit World. Stee How escaped with wounds. Xpilaxha was equally fortunate. Before dawn they gathered the scattered remnants of their people and escaped over the ancient goat hunting rail. Behind they left a shambles of dead and dying, a town reduced to a smoldering heap of ruins. For them, life had taken a violent, disastrous turn. There was no hope of coming back. Klew Nu was left to grow up in forest once more, and became a hunting ground until centuries later the Willow Men – men with white skins – built Usk on the ancient site” (McDonald 81-82).