About Gitxaala Nation

Who are the Gitxaala? What are our values and traditions?

For those of you who are members of the Gitxaala First Nation, you understand the significance and importance of our values and traditions dating back thousands of years.

For those of you who may be new to our community – or would like a little history lesson – please read on.

The Gitxaala is one of the longest continually inhabited communities in North America, dating back more than 10,000 years. We refer to ourselves in the language of Smal’gax as Git Lax Moon, which in English means “People of the Salt Water.”

Our way of life is dependent on the waters and marine resources within our traditional territory. In fact, our people rely on these waters for about 80 per cent of their food source.

We also have our own governance system, unlike that of some other First Nations and much different from the other governments in Canada.

The Gitxaala Nation is internally organized and governed through a complex system of clans, house territories, hereditary leaders and traditional laws. This system was put in place long before our people first made contact with Europeans hundreds of years ago, and before Canada became a country.

Our system has also developed over centuries and has been passed down through generations. It’s the foundation that has allowed our people to survive and thrive.

What’s more, we aren’t a signatory to an historic treaty and we aren’t currently in the modern-day B.C. comprehensive treaty process. This means we haven’t ceded or relinquished our aboriginal rights and title. Instead, we assert our rights and title throughout our traditional lands and waters.

It’s based on this age-old system that the Gitxaala Nation has asserted its title and self-governance rights around the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway project.

If the project goes ahead,it will interfere with a number of our rights, from harvesting to the continued practicing and teaching the Gitxaala culture and tradition. We’ve made this clear to the company and governments reviewing the pipeline proposal.

Regrettably, our concerns have so far been dismissed and essentially ignored. That’s even though Section 35 of the Canadian Constitution requires the Government consult with First Nations.

We are demanding Canada follow its constitutional duty and sit down with the Gitxaala and consult on the Northern Gateway Project.

We’ve followed Canada’s system throughout the process, now it’s time they follow ours.