THE PEOPLE

The people of Kispiox, BC would like to welcome you to their community. Today,there are 700 of the 1300+ band members living in our community, at the junction of the Kispiox & Skeena rivers. Some 690 members of our community live "off reserve". One of the main tourist attractions along the Skeena river is our Totem Poles. There are approximately 24 Hereditary Poles that belong to different House Groups. Our community is comprised of three main House Groups, they are Giskaast, Lax Gibuu and Lax Seel. There are 50 Hereditary Chiefs within our community of which Hereditary Chief Geel is the Head Chief.

Social Structure of the Gitxsan
Gitxsan villages are each composed of a number of families called Wilp or Houses. They are called this because until the beginning of this century many members of each family would live in a large cedar plank dwelling. The Gitxsan kinship is matrilineal so everyone belongs to the house of his or her mother. Even though the Gitxsan no longer live in large extended family groups, House membership still strongly influences Gitxsan life.

Each House is led by a Head Chief or Simoogit and several Sub-Chiefs, called K’aax or “wings” who act as his or her advisors. Each House is called the name of its Head Chief. The House is the land owning unit in Gitxsan society with each owning one or more clearly defined territories. which usually use rivers, creeks or the height of land as boundaries. As well, each House owns fishing sites, often outside their territory. Other property owned exclusively by Houses includes their history (adaawk), crests, songs, dances, and names.

Each house owns a set of hereditary names or titles which are passed down from generation to generation within the family. Some of these names are several thousand years old. A family's set of names include the chief's names (which are ranked), men's and woman's names, boy's and girl's names, as well as other specialized types of names such as halait (medicine person's name) or bitxw (divorce name).

Clans
Clans or Pdeek of the Gitxsan have the same main crest or in some cases more than one main crest.

The Clans found in Kispiox and throughout the eastern region are:

• Gisgaast - Fireweed
• Lax Gibuu - Wolf
• Lax See'l - Frog

There are four pdeek in the western region. They are:

• Lax Gibuu - Wolf
• Ganada - Frog
• Lax Skiik - Eagle
• Giskaast - Fireweed

Although the House Groups organize many aspects of Gitxsan life, the Clan is an organizing principle as well. The most important institution determined by Clan is marriage. A Gitxsan must not marry with his/her Clan, he/she must marry a member of a different Clan. To marry in one's Clan is a serious breach of Gitxsan law. Clans also act together in one of the most important institutions of the Gitxsan. This is called the liligit, feast or potlatch.

The events are held to mark important occasions such as a death, totem pole or headstone raising, grave fence raising, to erase a chief's shame at a divorce, for the passing of hereditary names, property and at marriages. These group events are hosted by a House Group with the support of other members of the Clan. The guests are seated with the members of their House in accordance to their rank. They are fed a meal, given food to take home (soo) as well as goods and money.

All guests are paid in accordance to their rank for witnessing, confirming and remembering the business transactions that take place during the feast. Some guests are paid for special services they have previously rendered to the host. As well as witnessing the business at hand the guest may confirm the boundaries of a house territory, the ownership of its crest or songs, the history of the House and family relationships and names.

The Gitxsan Language
The First Nations people who live in the valley mainly speak the Gitxsan language. Presently, in the Kispiox Elementary School, children from Nursery to Grade 7 are being taught Gitxsan. From the first day of Nursery school, the young children will be taught basic vocabulary.

Kispiox Totem Poles
There are approximately 25 totem poles that are privately owned by House Groups. Some date as far back as 1880 and as recent as 1995. The much-admired Kispiox totem poles stand in the grass at the edge of the community where the Kispiox & Skeena rivers meet. Carved with Eagle, Raven, Frog, Killer Whale, Bear, Wolf, & Human figures, they commemorate the dead, signify ownership, & offer insight into the heritage of the local people.

The characteristic figures on totem poles are symbols comparable to family crests. They illustrate historical events that occured in a House's past. If the historical event involved several houses, those Houses may share the crest.

The pole's owners display their crests on the pole to establish and make public their claims to vested rights and privileges. They varied with each family; they were exclusive property and were guarded. Each carved illustration on the poles serve a multiple purpose: besides commemorating the dead and showing ownership, they familiarize youths with their histories - keeping part of our heritage alive.

Kispiox Cultural Centre
The Kispiox Cultural/Information Centre was built in 2000 and opened its doors officially on July 1, 2000. Information on the area is available at the Centre, and visitors can book walking tours of the village and totem poles. Bus tours of the Hazeltons can be booked for groups. Rafting trips with Skeena Eco-Expeditions can also be booked as well as hiking trips and canoe trips. Canoe rentals are available - life jackets and paddles included - credit cards only please.
Call 1 250-842-7057 or Toll Free 1-877-842-5911 (Canada & USA)

The Centre is a combination cultural centre and information center. Our Gitxsan guides can answer questions about the history of the village and the people. Come and look at our photo display of community elders. Items made by local artisans are available for sale in display cases in the centre. On one of the walls is a map of the world, which holds over 100 pins representing where visitors have come from - some from as far as Pakistan and Australia.

Kispiox Fish Hatchery
Located right beside the totem poles overlooking the Skeena and Kispiox rivers. The fish hatchery is operated by the Gitxsan Watershed Authority and is open all year around. Stop by for a free tour.

Old Community Hall
The old community hall is still fondly remembered by those who used it. It was an example of what could be done through working together. When the building burned down, the carved bird on top was saved. It is now diplayed in the Band Office.