Nisga'a
Encyclopedia
Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast
The Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of the Pacific Northwest Coast, their descendants, and many ethnic groups who identify with those historical peoples. They are now situated within the Canadian Province of British Columbia and the U.S...
nation or First Nation in Canada. They live in the Nass River
Nass River
The Nass River is a river in northern British Columbia, Canada. It flows from the Coast Mountains southwest to Nass Bay, a sidewater of Portland Inlet, which connects to the North Pacific Ocean via the Dixon Entrance...
valley of northwestern British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. Their name comes from a combination of two Nisga’a words: Nisk’-"top lip" and Tl’ak’-"bottom lip". This term was used because K’alii-aksim Lisims (Nass River Valley) is so bountiful that many living creatures come to it to feed. The Nisga’a saw that every living creature used its Nisk’ and Tl’ak’ to eat, therefore... Nisga’a!
Society
Nisga’a society is organized into four Tribes:- GanadaGanhadaThe Ganhada is the name for the Raven "clan" in the language of the Tsimshian nation of British Columbia, Canada, and southeast Alaska. It is considered analogous or identical to the Ganada Tribe of the Nisga'a nation in British Columbia and the Frog clan among B.C.'s Gitxsan nation...
(RavenRavenRaven is the common name given to several larger-bodied members of the genus Corvus—but in Europe and North America the Common Raven is normally implied...
) - Gisk’aastGispwudwadaThe Gispwudwada is the name for the Killerwhale "clan" in the language of the Tsimshian nation of British Columbia, Canada, and southeast Alaska. It is considered analogous or identical to the Gisgahaast clan in British Columbia's Gitksan nation and the Gisk'ahaast/Gisk'aast Tribe of the Nisga'a...
(Killer Whale) - LaxgibuuLaxgibuuThe Laxgibuu is the name for the Wolf "clan" in the language of the Tsimshian nation of British Columbia, Canada, and southeast Alaska. It is considered analogous or identical to identically named clans among the neighboring Gitksan and Nisga'a nations.The name Laxgibuu derives from gibuu, which...
(Wolf) - LaxsgiikLaxsgiikThe Laxsgiik is the name for the Eagle "clan" in the language of the Tsimshian nation of British Columbia, Canada, and southeast Alaska...
(EagleEagleEagles are members of the bird family Accipitridae, and belong to several genera which are not necessarily closely related to each other. Most of the more than 60 species occur in Eurasia and Africa. Outside this area, just two species can be found in the United States and Canada, nine more in...
)
Each Tribe is further sub-divided into House Groups - extended families with same origins. Some houses are grouped together into Clans - grouping of Houses with same ancestors.
Example:
- Laxgibuu Tribe (Wolf Tribe)
- Gitwilnaak’il Clan (People Separated But Of One)
- House of Duuk
- House of K’eexkw
- House of Gwingyoo
- Gitwilnaak’il Clan (People Separated But Of One)
Food
The Nisga’a harvested "beach food" all year round. This would include razor clams, mussels, oysters, limpits, scallops, abalone, fish, seaweed and other seafood that could be harvested from the shore. Eating too much beach food was believed to make you sick. However salmon, cod, char, pike, trout and other fresh water fish were harvested in the streams. Men went out in ocean going canoes to hunt seals, whales, fish and sea otters. The blubber was often traded with other tribes as well as fish oil. Mountain goat, marmot, game birds and more were hunted in the forests. The meat was roasted or boiled. Fish and sea mammals flesh was eaten frozen, boiled or roasted. The heads of a type of cod which were half eaten by sharks were boiled into a soup which kept colds at bay. Dried fish, seal oil, fish oil, blubber and cedar were traded with inland tribes.Houses
Houses of the Nisga’a were rectangular shaped and made of cedar planks. The doors faced the water. The doors were usually decorated with the family crest. Inside, there was a sunken floor which held the hearth and beds and boxes of possessions around the walls. Around 3 to 4 families lived one house. Masks and blankets decorated the walls.Clothing
Men wore nothing in the summer and it was normally the best time to hunt and fish. However women wore softened cedar bark skirts and went topless. During the colder season, men wore cedar bark skirts (shaped more like a loincloth), a cape of cedar and a basket hat outside in the rain but wore nothing inside the house. Women wore basket hat sand cedar blankets indoors and outdoors.During war, men wore red cedar armor, a cedar helmet and cedar loincloths. They wielded spears, clubs, harpoons, bows and slings. Wicker shields were common. Shell and bone necklaces and bracelets were worn by both sexes. Seal blubber was rubbed into hair and men kept their hair long or in a top knot.
Where they live
Approximately 2,500 live in the Nass Valley (within the 4 villages) and another 3,500 Nisga’a live elsewhere in CanadaCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, and around the world (predominantly within the 3 urban societies).
Nisga’a villages
The Nisga’a people number about 6,000. In British Columbia, the Nisga’a Nation is represented by four Villages:- GitlakdamixGitlakdamix, British ColumbiaGitlakdamix or Gitlaxt'aamiks or New Aiyansh is a Nisga'a Village about 100km north of Terrace, in the heart of the Nass River valley, Canada. It is one of four Nisga'a villages...
(New Aiyansh) - GitwinksihlkwGitwinksihlkw, British ColumbiaGitwinksihlkw , formerly Canyon City, is a Nisga'a Village in the Nass River valley of northwestern British Columbia, Canada, near that river's confluence with the Tseax River. An older spelling is Kitwilluchsilt. It is one of four Nisga'a villages...
(Canyon City) - Laxgalts’apLaxgalts'ap, British Columbia' is a Nisga'a Village of approximately 474, in the Nass River valley of British Columbia, Canada....
(Greenville) - GingolxGingolxGingolx is a Nisga'a Village in the Nass River valley in British Columbia, Canada. The village population is approximately 341 people. Gingolx is one of four Nisga'a villages that make up the Nisga'a Nation. The community itself has four clans which are Killer Whale, Eagle, Raven and Wolf...
(Kincolith)
Nisga’a Urban Societies
There are also Nisga’a people residing away from their "home communities" with a large concentration in three urban areas which are not in traditional Nisga’a territory:- Terrace, British ColumbiaTerrace, British ColumbiaTerrace is a city on the Skeena River in British Columbia, Canada. The Kitselas people, a tribe of the Tsimshian Nation, have lived in the Terrace area for thousands of years. The community population fell between 2001 and 2006 from 12,109 with a regional population of 19,980 to 11,320 and...
- Prince RupertPrince Rupert, British ColumbiaPrince Rupert is a port city in the province of British Columbia, Canada. It is the land, air, and water transportation hub of British Columbia's North Coast, and home to some 12,815 people .-History:...
/Port EdwardPort Edward, British ColumbiaThe District of Port Edward is a town of approximately 577, located on the North Coast of British Columbia, Canada.It is situated on the Tsimpsean Peninsula, opposite Ridley Island, 15 km south of Prince Rupert.-Directions:... - Vancouver, British Columbia
Nisga’a calendar/life
The Nisga’a calendar revolves around harvesting of foods & goods used. The original year followed the various moons throughout the year.- K’aliiyee - To Walk North (January)
- This time of year, the sun begins to go North (K’alii) again
- Buxwlaks - To Blow Around (February)
- Blow Around refers to the amount of wind during this time of year
- Xsaak - To Eat Oolichans (March)
- The oolichans return to the Nass River the end of February/beginning of March
- This is the tradional time to celebrate the New Year, also known as Hoobiyee (variations of spelling include: Hobiyee, Hobiiyee, Hoobiiyee)
- The oolichans are the first food harvested after the winter, which marks the beginning of the harvesting year.
- Mmaal - To Use Canoes Again (April)
- The ice begins to break on the river, allowing for canoes to be used again
- Yansa’alt - Leaves Are Blooming (May)
- The leaves begin to flourish once again
- Miso’o - Sockeye Salmon (June)
- Sockeye salmon are harvested
- Xmaay - To Eat Berries (July)
- various berries are harvested
- Wii Hoon - Great Salmon (August)
- Great amounts of salmon are harvested
- Genuugwiikw - Trail of the Marmot (September)
- Small game such as marmots are hunted
- Xlaaxw - To Eat Trout (October)
- Trout are the main staple for this month
- Gwilatkw - To Blanket (November)
- The earth is "Blanketed" with snow
- Luut’aa - To Sit (December)
- The sun is sitting in one spot
Treaty
On August 4, 1998, a land-claim was settled between the Nisga’a, the government of British ColumbiaBritish Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, and the Government of Canada
Government of Canada
The Government of Canada, formally Her Majesty's Government, is the system whereby the federation of Canada is administered by a common authority; in Canadian English, the term can mean either the collective set of institutions or specifically the Queen-in-Council...
. As part of the settlement in the Nass River valley, nearly 2,000 square kilometres of land was officially recognized as Nisga’a, and a 300,000 cubic decameter water reservation was also created. The Bear Glacier Provincial Park
Bear Glacier Provincial Park
Bear Glacier Provincial Park is a provincial park in British Columbia, Canada. The park is 542 ha. in size and was established, effective 11 May 2000, by the Nisga'a Treaty, Appendix G-3....
was also created as a result of this agreement. The land-claim's settlement was the first formal treaty signed by a First Nation in British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
since the Douglas Treaties
James Douglas (Governor)
Sir James Douglas KCB was a company fur-trader and a British colonial governor on Vancouver Island in northwestern North America, particularly in what is now British Columbia. Douglas worked for the North West Company, and later for the Hudson's Bay Company becoming a high-ranking company officer...
in 1854.
History
The Tseax Cone situated in a valley above and east of the Tseax RiverTseax River
The Tseax River, also known as Ksi Sii Aks in the Nisga'a language, is a tributary of the Nass River in northwestern British Columbia, Canada. It is most notable as the namesake of Tseax Cone, a volcano within its basin that was responsible for an eruption that killed 2,000 Nisga'a people. Prior...
was the source for an eruption during the 18th century that killed approximately 2,000 Nisga’a people from poisonous volcanic gas
Volcanic gas
|250px|thumb|right|Image of the [[rhyolitic]] [[lava dome]] of [[Chaitén Volcano]] during its 2008-2010 eruption.Volcanic gases include a variety of substances given off by active volcanoes...
es.
The Royal Chilkat Robe Originated with the Nisga'a People, called Gwiis Halayt this is the Chieftain's Blanket, worn mainly by head Chiefs, the story of the Chilkat: When the Wife of a Nisga'a Chief who came from Tlingit Came to live amounst the Nisga'a She Learned the art of weaving the Chilkat from from her new family, she wove a very nice Chilkat dance apron, when she died the Nisga'a Sent the weaving back to her Tlingit Family, who in turn wanted to learn this art of the Chilkat weaving, they unwove the apron to learn how it was woven, with the great smallpox epidemic most of the Nisga'a Chilkat Weavers died, so the art of weaving the chilkat was almost lost to Nisga'a, the Chilkat then became known to originate from Tlingit. We now have a handfull of Nisga'a that now know how to weave the Chilkat patterns and Raven's Tail Patterns, one day the Nisga'a Chieftian's will be wear the real Chilkat Robe to show their true Authority.
This is the True Story of The Chilkat Chieftain's Robe Called Gwiis Halayt
Government
The government bodies of the Nisga'a include the Nisga'a Lisims Government, the government of the Nisga'a Nation, and the Nisga'a Village Governments, one for each of the four Nisga'a Villages. The Nisga'a Lisims Government is embodied in the Wilp Si'Ayuukhl Nisga'a and located in in the Nisga's Lisims Government Building in Gitlakdamix.| President | Sim’oogit K’aw’een Laxgibuu The Laxgibuu is the name for the Wolf "clan" in the language of the Tsimshian nation of British Columbia, Canada, and southeast Alaska. It is considered analogous or identical to identically named clans among the neighboring Gitksan and Nisga'a nations.The name Laxgibuu derives from gibuu, which... - Mitch Stevens |
| Secretary-Treasurer | Sim’oogit K’amluugidis Laxgibuu The Laxgibuu is the name for the Wolf "clan" in the language of the Tsimshian nation of British Columbia, Canada, and southeast Alaska. It is considered analogous or identical to identically named clans among the neighboring Gitksan and Nisga'a nations.The name Laxgibuu derives from gibuu, which... - Edmond Wright |
| Chairperson | Kevin McKay |
| Chairperson, Council of Elders | Sim’oogit Ksimxsaan Ganhada The Ganhada is the name for the Raven "clan" in the language of the Tsimshian nation of British Columbia, Canada, and southeast Alaska. It is considered analogous or identical to the Ganada Tribe of the Nisga'a nation in British Columbia and the Frog clan among B.C.'s Gitxsan nation... - Oscar Mercer |
| Chief Councillors | Sim’oogit Gwisk’aayin Laxgibuu The Laxgibuu is the name for the Wolf "clan" in the language of the Tsimshian nation of British Columbia, Canada, and southeast Alaska. It is considered analogous or identical to identically named clans among the neighboring Gitksan and Nisga'a nations.The name Laxgibuu derives from gibuu, which... - Nelson Clayton (Gingolx) Sim’oogit Ni’isyuus Gispwudwada The Gispwudwada is the name for the Killerwhale "clan" in the language of the Tsimshian nation of British Columbia, Canada, and southeast Alaska. It is considered analogous or identical to the Gisgahaast clan in British Columbia's Gitksan nation and the Gisk'ahaast/Gisk'aast Tribe of the Nisga'a... - Willard Martin (Laxgalts’ap) Peter Lambright (Gitwinksihlkw) Sim’oogit Ksdiyaawak Laxgibuu The Laxgibuu is the name for the Wolf "clan" in the language of the Tsimshian nation of British Columbia, Canada, and southeast Alaska. It is considered analogous or identical to identically named clans among the neighboring Gitksan and Nisga'a nations.The name Laxgibuu derives from gibuu, which... - George Williams Sr (New Aiyansh) |
Museum
In 2011 the Nisga'a Museum, a project of the Nisga'a Lisims Government, opened in Laxgalts'apLaxgalts'ap, British Columbia
' is a Nisga'a Village of approximately 474, in the Nass River valley of British Columbia, Canada....
. It contains many historical artifacts of the Nisga'a people returned after many decades in major museums beyond the Nass Valley.
Prominent Nisga’a
- Frank Arthur CalderFrank Arthur CalderFrank Arthur Calder, was a Nisga'a politician in Canada, the first Status Indian to be elected to any legislature in Canada....
, Sim'oogit Wii Lisims hereditary chiefGispwudwadaThe Gispwudwada is the name for the Killerwhale "clan" in the language of the Tsimshian nation of British Columbia, Canada, and southeast Alaska. It is considered analogous or identical to the Gisgahaast clan in British Columbia's Gitksan nation and the Gisk'ahaast/Gisk'aast Tribe of the Nisga'a...
, rights activist, legislator, President emeritus Nisga'a Lisims Government - Joseph GosnellJoseph GosnellJoseph Arthur Gosnell, Sr., is a distinguished leader of the Nisga'a people of northern British Columbia, Canada.The son of Eli and Mary Gosnell, he was born at Arrandale Cannery and grew up in the village of New Aiyansh where he still lives. He received his formal education at St. Michael's...
, hereditary chief Sim'oogit HleekLaxsgiikThe Laxsgiik is the name for the Eagle "clan" in the language of the Tsimshian nation of British Columbia, Canada, and southeast Alaska...
, treaty negotiator, Former President Nisga'a Lisims Government - Norman TaitNorman TaitNorman Tait is a Canadian First Nations artist and totem pole carver from the Nisga'a nation of northwestern British Columbia.He was born in Kincolith on the Nass River in B.C., the son of Josiah Tait, also a carver and the great-grandson of Chief Alfred Watson Mountain, Sganism Sim'oogit.He is a...
, carver - Alver Tait, Sim'oogit Gadeelip Master carver
- Ron Joseph TelekRon Joseph TelekRon Joseph Telek is a Canadian First Nations sculptor. He is a member of the Laxsgiik of the Nisga'a nation of northwestern British Columbia, and carries the hereditary name of Jagam Txalp meaning Four Canoes Coming into the Village...
, carver - Alvin A. McKay, hereditary chiefGanhadaThe Ganhada is the name for the Raven "clan" in the language of the Tsimshian nation of British Columbia, Canada, and southeast Alaska. It is considered analogous or identical to the Ganada Tribe of the Nisga'a nation in British Columbia and the Frog clan among B.C.'s Gitxsan nation...
, treaty negotiator, educator - William W.D. McKay, hereditary chiefGanhadaThe Ganhada is the name for the Raven "clan" in the language of the Tsimshian nation of British Columbia, Canada, and southeast Alaska. It is considered analogous or identical to the Ganada Tribe of the Nisga'a nation in British Columbia and the Frog clan among B.C.'s Gitxsan nation...
, treaty negotiator - Dr. Bertram McKay, hereditary chief Past Axdii wil luu goodaGanhadaThe Ganhada is the name for the Raven "clan" in the language of the Tsimshian nation of British Columbia, Canada, and southeast Alaska. It is considered analogous or identical to the Ganada Tribe of the Nisga'a nation in British Columbia and the Frog clan among B.C.'s Gitxsan nation...
, treaty negotiator, educator - Rodrick Robinson hereditary chief past Minee'eskw, Treaty Negotiator, ambassador for nisga'a Nation
- Nelson Leeson Hereditary Chief Past Axhlawaals, Treaty Negotiator, Former President Nisga'a Lisims Government
See also
- Nisga’a language
- Nisga'a HighwayNisga'a HighwayThe Nisga'a Highway is a highway that starts in Terrace, British Columbia, Canada at Highway 16. The route provides paved access to the settlements of the Nisga'a Nation - Gitlakdamix , Gitwinksihlkw , Gingolx , Laxgalts'ap , Nass Camp and others...
- Nisga'a Memorial Lava Beds Provincial ParkNisga'a Memorial Lava Beds Provincial ParkNisga'a Memorial Lava Bed Provincial Park is a provincial park in the Nass River valley in northwestern British Columbia, Canada, about 80 kilometres north of Terrace, and near the Nisga'a Villages of Gitlakdamix and Gitwinksihlkw.The park was established by Order in Council on April 29, 1992,...
- School District 92 Nisga'aSchool District 92 Nisga'aSchool District 92 Nisga'a is a school district in British Columbia, Canada. Situated in the Nass River valley it covers the First Nations area of the Nisga'a people north of Terrace...
- Nisga'a Museum
- O God, Our Help in Ages PastO God, Our Help in Ages PastO God, Our Help in Ages Past is a hymn by Isaac Watts and paraphrases Psalm 90. It originally consisted of nine stanzas. In present usage, however, the hymn is usually limited to stanzas one, two, three, five and nine...
- Gallery of triband flags
External links
- Lisims Government
- Nisga’a Final Agreement documents
- School District 92 (Nisga’a)
- The Terrace Nisga’a Society
- Nisga’a Prince Rupert/Port Edward Society
- Kwhlii Gibaygum Nisga’a Traditional Performers (Vancouver Nisga’a Traditional Dance Group)
- Nisga’a Names, Lands (tribal map)
- My World Of The Nisga’a Nation
- website
- Nisga’a People of the Rainbow
- Laxgalts’ap Homepage
- Gitwinksihlkw Unofficial Homepage
- Gitlakdamix/New Aiyansh Unofficial Homepage
- Map of Nisga’a Lands (northern portion)
- Map of Nisga’a Lands (southern/core portion)
- School District 92 (Nisga’a) Language Department
- Nisga'a Museum