Pune’luxutth pronunciation in Hul’qumi’num’

On December 1, 2023, BC Ferries officially renamed its motor vessel Kuper to Pune’luxutth, honoring Indigenous heritage, at a name unveiling ceremony at Victoria’s Point Hope Maritime.
In this video, Elder Florence James and Elder Myrus James share the correct pronunciation of Pune’luxutth in Hul’qumi’num’, the language of the Penelakut Tribe.
Pune’luxutth is the Hul’qumi’num’ word for Penelakut and was the name chosen by Penelakut Tribe. The previous name of the vessel, Kuper, was widely associated with the former residential school of the same name, cultural assimilation and painful history.
The renaming of the vessel reflects our commitment to reconciliation, listening and making changes in support of Indigenous communities. The Pune’luxutth provides daily service between Chemainus, Thetis Island and Penelakut Island.