About Gitxsan

Learn more about Gitxsan’s rich relationship with our land, our culture and our language

SimgiigyEt: Our HEREDITARY CHIEFS of the GITXSAN HUWILP GOVERNMENT

On the shores of the magnificent Skeena and its tributaries, our matriarchal society has always lived a peaceful existence with our First Nations neighbours. We consist of four clans: Lax Skiik (Eagle), Lax Seel/Genada (Frog), Gisgaast (Fireweed) and Lax Gibuu (Wolf). Each clan consists of independent Houses (Huwilp), each with their own Wii Simoogit (High Chief). As Simgiigyat (Hereditary Chiefs) we govern our House Groups (Huwilp) and protect our Laxyip (traditional territories) and Anaat (fishing sites). Surrounded by majestic mountains and forests, we live interdependent with each other, each Simogyat the independent voice for their Wilp.

lax skik

lax seel/genada

gisgaast

lax gibuu

GITXSAN COMMUNITY

History of Gitxsan

Gitxsan, is a traditional society, governed by an ancient system of Ayookw (laws) and Adaakw (oral histories). The Gitxsan Laxyip (lands) are a sacred and pristine vista of forests, mountains  and Anaat (riverways) in Northwest BC reaching from Terrace to Hazelton to Smithers.

History of Gitxsan

Archaeological evidence shows that Gitxsan have been inhabiting their traditional lands for at least 10,000 years, from the basin of the upper Skeena River around Legate Creek, to the Skeena’s headwaters and its surrounding tributaries. Fish has always been one of our precious food sources.

History of Gitxsan

Led by the Simgiigyat (our Hereditary Chiefs) we are governed through our House Groups (Huwilp).  We are a matriarchal society consisting of four clans: Lax Seel/Genada (Frog), Lax Skiik (Eagle), Lax Gibuu (Wolf), and Gisgaast (Fireweed). Although each clan consists of a series of independent Houses (Huwilp), each with their own Wii Simoogit (High Chief), and traditional territories and fishing sites, we live interdependent to each other.

History of Gitxsan

Gitxsanimaax is the traditional Gitxsan language. We have two dialects: Giigeenix (up river) and Gyeets (down river). Through colonization, as with most First Nations, we almost lost our culture and language. However, we have worked diligently to restore our ancestral identity and strength as a Nation. This is shown through our historic court case Delgamuukw, which was a 1997 joint lawsuit and the first comprehensive validation of the Gitxsan and Wet’suwet’en Indigenous rights and title of their traditional lands by the Supreme Court of Canada.

gitxsan today

Today the Gigeenix Simgiigyat (up river Hereditary Chiefs) and Gyeets Simgiigyat (downriver Hereditary Chiefs) — the generational fiduciaries of our Laxyip and Anaat— continue to protect our territories which span 35,000 square kilometers in Northern British Columbia. The Gitxsan maintain control over 70% of the Laxyip (excluding roads, bridges and Crown land) and 100% of our Anaat. In accordance with our Ayookw (traditional laws), including the principle of “no playing with fish,” the Gitxsan enforce blanket fishing bans to prevent recreational exploitation, defend our food security, and uphold the integrity of our waters.

Through civil action and negotiations we work to progress fruitful negotiations with the federal and provincial governments to realize full autonomy as a Nation and ensure our people are kept safe from militarized RCMP units used to terrorize Gitxsan if we protect our traditional territory from industry greed.

Simgiigyet also work to protect and heal our people through community engagement on issues like our inherent right to thrive in society, by leaning into our culture, land and traditions. Currently there are 18,000 people of Gitxsan heritage living around the world.

gitxsan's future

This website is a central hub for information
about the progress and activities of the Gitxsan Huwilp Government.

Our governance model combines  Gitxsan traditional laws, systems and knowledge with a modern government structure, moving the whole of northwest British Columbia towards balance, respect, unity and prosperity. The Gitxsan Huwilp Government will continue to affirm and celebrate our identity as Gitxsan while expanding the knowledge of both the provincial and federal governments and Supreme Court’s understanding of the Gitxsan government, our structure, and particularly, our inherent rights.

Under the leadership of the Simgiigyat, the Huwilp Government will continue to protect our fisheries tenure on the Skeena Nass Watershed, to create more jobs and training, and to create more economic opportunities in the Laxyip while respecting our Ayookw (laws) and Wilaloo (way of life).

Gitxsan hereditary leaders will also continue to weigh in on social issues affecting our peoples on and off traditional territory to lift up our youth and protect our elders.

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the state of the gitxsan nation archives

Archive links

media centre

Gitxsan Huwilp Government welcomes media inquiries on a variety of issues. Our media centre offers a glimpse into the issues and activities we oversee.

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