Gitxsan Culture & Language
The Land:
Gitxsan [Git (people of) Xsan (the river of mist) ] are First Nations people located along the Skeena River in northwest British Columbia. The Gitxsan (also spelled Gitksan) have been caretakers of over 33,000 square kilometers, governed by 60 Sim gi gyat (Male Chiefs) and Si gi dim haa nak' (Female Chiefs) since time immemorial. Today, six Gitxsan communities are based on the territory, including Gitanyow, Gitwangak, Gitsegukla, Gitanmaax, Glen Vowell (Sik-E-Dakh), and Kispiox (Anspayaxw)
The Social Structure:
There are four Pdeeks (clans) within the Gitxsan system; Lax Gibuu (Wolf), Ganeda/Lax Seel (Frog), Giskaast (Fireweed) and Lax Skiik (Eagle). Gitxsan society is matrilineal, so membership to and inheritance of names and property follows one's mother's side.
The Language:
The Gitxsan Language (Gitxsanimaax) is a Tsimshianic language, closely related to the neighboring Nisga'a language, with two dialects Gigeenix (Up River - Kispiox, Glen Vowell, Gitanmaax) and Gyeets (Down River - Gitsegukla, Gitwangak, Gitanyow).
Photo Credit: Thom Barker (Terrace Standard) at the Pole Raising Ceremony in Glen Vowell on April 21, 2023.
Background Photo: Getty Images