GITXSAN OVERVIEW

Pre- and Post-contact

Pre-contact economy based on trading of salmon, natural resources products.
Lots of trading occurred along grease trails with neighboring coastal First Nations for oolichan (candle fish) grease.
Well-organized society before contact with political, social, legal and economic institutions based on the Huwilp (House groups).
Gitxsan institutions based on natural law, balanced life style, respect, obligation and are at work today.
Since contact have always asserted ownership, jurisdiction and self-government rights on Gitxsan Territory (Lax Yip).
Early explorers and governments recognized Gitxsan power over their territories.
The Gitxsan were displaced with the huge influx of Europeans (traders, miners, settlers), disease (small pox) and oppressive federal laws (outlawing of fundraising for land claims actions, outlawing feasts weakened power of Gitxsan on their territories).
Forced move to reserves to integrate into society and then to industrial schools, residential schools further weakened the Gitxsan
Aggressive assertion of ownership in the form of protests to the Prime Minister and blockades took place from 1870s through the first 15 years of this century and continue to this day.
Actions to assert ownership took place throughout this century but a renewal of effort has taken place in the last 25 years with the Delgamuukw aboriginal title case, blockades, court injunctions, economic initiatives, bilateral negotiations and treaty negotiations.
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Matrilineal system with House members tracing lineage through mother’s side.
All Gitxsan belong to a Wilp (House group), which is the basic unit for social, economic and political purposes.
House groups are a collection of closely related people; can number anywhere from 20 to more than 250+.
Approximately 64 Wilps (House groups) each with their own territory.
House groups belong to one of four clans: Lax Gibuu (Wolf), Lax Seel/Ganeda (Frog), Giskaast (Fireweed) and Lax Skiik (Eagle).
Feast hall or Liligit is the forum where business, social and political decisions are legitimized in the traditional system.
Traditional system is active within the Gitxsan Nation.
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Most resources on Gitxsan territory are related to nature – trees, fish, animals, water, and botanical products or the human knowledge associated with management of these resources.
Major salmon-bearing rivers flow through the territory: the Upper and Mid Skeena, Upper Babine, lower Bulkley, and Kispiox.
Facilities on the territory include several sawmills owned by outside interests and a couple of municipalities (New Hazelton, Hazelton).
B.C. provincial highways include Hwy 16, 37 & 62.
Canadian National Railway line runs through the village gravesites of Kitwanga Village.
Five Gitxsan villages and two (2) ancient Gitxsan Villages on the territory.
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Many Gitxsan government organizations based on self-government through the hereditary system flowing from Wilp (House groups) .
Organizations or services managed by Gitxsan Health Authority, Gitxsan Watershed Authority, Unlocking Aboriginal Justice, Gitxsan and Rangers, Gitxsan Wet’suwet’en Education Society, Gitxsan Child & Family Services, Siwiixo'osxwim Wilnatahl Gitksan Society (Gitksan Language Commision).

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