Located on the traditional and unceded territories (ḥaḥuułi) of the ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ (Tla-o-qui-aht) peoples, the Nuu-chah-nulth word for the land which settlers named Tofino, is n̓ačiqs - meaning a place looking out. Specifically, it served as a vital look-out point to defend the primary village of huupic̓atḥ (Opitsaht) across the water. Aside from the very practical historical use of the land here, the name sits with me because the area is a special place to look outwards towards the ocean and beyond - and to turn inwards.
