onüh

Onüh is a historical term primarily referring to a type of lightweight, one-person boat that was traditionally used by Indigenous peoples in certain regions of North America, particularly in the Pacific Northwest. These boats were often constructed from a single piece of wood, typically a dugout canoe, and were designed for agility and speed. The term "onüh" itself is derived from the Chinook Jargon, a pidgin trade language used in the region.

The construction of an onüh involved hollowing out a log through burning and scraping, shaping it into a functional vessel. This process required significant skill and knowledge of woodworking and materials. The onüh was not a large, multi-person vessel but rather a craft suited for individual hunters or fishermen navigating rivers, inlets, and sometimes coastal waters. Its shallow draft allowed it to traverse areas inaccessible to larger boats.

Historically, the onüh played a vital role in the subsistence and transportation of coastal and riverine communities. They facilitated access to fishing grounds, hunting territories, and allowed for efficient travel between villages. While the exact designs and materials could vary based on local resources and specific tribal traditions, the fundamental concept of a small, agile, one-person dugout remained consistent. Today, the term and the practice of building and using such boats are largely historical, with modern materials and technologies having replaced traditional methods for most purposes. However, efforts are ongoing to preserve and revitalize traditional Indigenous boat-building techniques, including those associated with the onüh.