Aylash was an Indigenous woman who lived approximately 20 miles away from
T'sakis (Fort Rupert). In
July, 1862,
John White, an Irish immigrant, accompanied four American men leaving
New Westminster,
British Columbia in a canoe. According to
White's testimony to the Crown, after leaving
Fort Rupert,
White began to suspect foul play from his companions stating that he overheard them say
that they
will do away with him.
After noticing violent intentions from the group, they docked on land where White
refused to go any further
with the group. They left
White on the island with
clothes…and a little flour
whereupon he was left alone for two days. Subsequently,
White was taken 20 miles away from
Fort Rupert by a few Indigenous men where they promised to
take [him] to their home.
White was ordered to make a fire and then was shot in the shoulder by one of the Indigenous
men.
White then ran away and hid in a bush for days before he was found by Aylash and three
other Indigenous people. Aylash took White to her home, gave him food, and, according
to his account,
treated [him] very well.
Aylash and the others moved
White to various villages before stopping at
Sabassah. On
3 October 1862,
White was removed from the village of the
Kithrahtalah by
Commander John Pike.
White gave Aylash and her partner,
Quoshawahl $15
for their humanity in rescuing him from starvation and providing him with food and
lodging for more than 6 weeks.