Hoobiyee
Long before the land begins to stir, long before winter loosens its grip, Nisg̱a’a come together to gaze at the nighttime sky. We look to the moon and stars for signs of the return of the saviour fish.
Hoobiyee is a celebration of renewal and the arrival of saak (oolichan), the first source of fresh food in months. Hoobiyee comes from the phrase “Hoobixis hee! (a term of endearment only said by males to other males),” which means the “moon is in the shape of the Hoobix!” The Hoobix is the bowl of a Nisg̱aʼa spoon or ladle. In late Buxwlaḵs (February) or early X̱saak (March), the appearance of the crescent moon signifies the potential for an abundant year (or filled spoon) if the bowl formed by the crescent moon is upright. In this case, the Nisg̱a’a can look forward to abundant saak (oolichan), hoon (fish), maay̓ (berries), and more. If the bowl of the crescent moon is facing downward, it signals a hard year ahead. While Hoobiyee is now celebrated as annual event, and occurs at the same time as the start of the seasonal harvesting (oolichan season), the Hoobiyee moon may not always occur.
Hoobiyee is celebrated in Buxwlaḵs (February).
Hoobiyee 2026 is hosted by the Nisga’a village of Gitwinksihlkw on February 20 & 21, 2026. For more information email: fo**************@***il.com.