Did you know that Hawaiians came to Canada as workers, with many being employed by the Hudson's Bay Company in British Columbia? In fact, the word Canuck, may have actually come from the term for these workers, Kanaka. Their story is often overlooked, but they were an important part of B.C.'s history. This is their story. Kanaka was a word used to describe the Hawaiian worker, which comes from the Hawaiian name for themselves of kānaka ʻōiwi. The name means "human being" The use of Kanaka to describe people who worked in British Columbia, as well as other places like Australia, is considered offensive today. Hawaiian workers were aboard the first exploration and trading ships to reach British Columbia. Many jumped ship and lived among the Indigenous Peoples of British Columbia. When Fort Vancouver was established, many chose to live in the area. They also helped to build Fort Langley. Eventually, they were the largest ethnic group in the fort for at time. On the Gulf Islands, so many Hawaiians moved there that it became known as Little Hawaii. They began to work in fur brigades and many were contracted by the Hudson's Bay Company. Typically, they were given a contract of two to three years and were prized as workers. By 1845, 200 Hawaiians were working for the Hudson's Bay Company. Many Hawaiian men married Indigenous women, and their descendants are still found in British Columbia. Kanaka Creek was a settlement of Hawaiian-Indigenous families, which is now part of Maple Ridge. When the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush happened, the Hawaiians were involved in staking claims. Kanaka Bar, British Columbia gets its names because of the number of Hawaiians who worked there. The descendants of the Hawaiians who came to British Columbia over 150 years ago still live in the province, and throughout the rest of the country. Many places are named for them including the Kanaka First Nation near Lytton, Kanaka Ranch, Kanaka Row in Victoria, Kanaka Creek and Kanaka Road on Salt Spring Island. If you enjoy my history content, please consider donating to Canadian History Ehx at buymeacoffee.com/craigU Sources: victoriaharbourhistory.com/h… saltspringarchives.com/kanak… canadiangeographic.ca/articl… canadashistory.ca/explore/fu… en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanaka…