In this episode, Brian welcomes Thomas Sewid of the Kwakwaka'wakw people of northern Vancouver Island for a wide-ranging conversation about Sasquatch traditions, firsthand encounters, Indigenous knowledge, and the debate over the more supernatural claims surrounding the subject.
Thomas explains that Sasquatch, known by names including Ćunaq̣, Ts’uunaaka, Tl’onaq’a, Junakwa, and Chunag, holds a significant place within Kwakwaka'wakw culture. The figure appears in traditional masks, potlatch dances, crest imagery, totem poles, and generations of oral teaching. Growing up in a commercial fishing family, Thomas spent much of his life along the remote coast of British Columbia, where stories of Sasquatch were part of the cultural landscape long before the subject became popular in modern cryptozoology.
He shares reports he gathered from fishermen, loggers, Indigenous communities, and people living throughout the coastal wilderness, along with several experiences of his own. These include a sighting with his father near Sayward and later encounters while Thomas was living and working deep in the bush and serving as a watchman in isolated areas.Thomas also offers his interpretation of behaviors commonly reported by Sasquatch witnesses.
He believes some apparent wood knocks may actually be powerful hand slaps used as warning or communication signals and describes Sasquatch groups as operating within a coordinated clan structure that allows individuals to alert and support one another. He also discusses their ability to use terrain, cover, and wind direction to remain aware of people while avoiding detection.The conversation then turns to what Thomas openly calls the “woo” surrounding Sasquatch.
He strongly rejects claims involving cloaking, portals, telepathy, and other paranormal abilities, arguing that fear, stress, and trauma can dramatically affect how people interpret unusual encounters. For Thomas, the investigation should remain focused on physical evidence, observable behavior, and claims that can ultimately be tested.
Thomas also explores his belief that Sasquatch could represent an ancient or “original human” population and discusses why official recognition of such a species could create complicated questions involving Indigenous rights, land management, environmental protections, logging, development, and regional economies.It is a conversation that brings together generations of cultural tradition, decades spent in the wilderness, firsthand experience, and a decidedly evidence-focused approach to one of North America's most enduring mysteries.
Thomas also discusses his Sasquatch Island work, SasquatchIsland.com, SasquatchLegend.com in Forks, Washington, and plans for an upcoming museum dedicated to preserving and sharing the history and traditions surrounding Sasquatch.
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Have you had a Bigfoot encounter, Sasquatch sighting, Dogman experience, or other cryptid or paranormal encounter? We’d love to hear your story. Email brian@paranormalworldproductions.com to be featured on a future episode of Sasquatch Odyssey.
Sasquatch Odyssey is a leading Bigfoot and cryptid podcast exploring real encounters, field research, and scientific analysis of the Sasquatch phenomenon.
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