User:Colind3607/Kitselas First Nation

History
The Kitselas First Nation have inhabited their lands for at least 5,000 years according to archaeological evidence. Their name is derived from Gitselasu which means ‘people of the canyon.’ The language of the Kitselas is Sm’algyax, which is the language for all bands of the Tsimshian Nation. The history of the Kitselas is told through narratives called adawx. Adawx talk about their origins through their perspective. Everyone belonging to the Tsimshian First Nation belongs to a clan or sub-clan. The Kitselas First Nation has four clans: Gispudwada (Killerwhale), Laxgiboo (Wolf), Laxsgiik (Eagle), and Ganhada (Raven).

Timeline
Earliest record of European contact with the Kitselas was in the 1700s with Russian missionaries and fur traders. In 1792, George Vancouver mapped the coast of British Columbia for more trading ships to arrive and more traders ventured inland. During the early to mid 19th century, the Hudson Bay Company (HBC) worked towards immunizing natives from smallpox by inoculation, but they were not that successful and 1 in 3 natives died from disease. In 1843, HBC started to create boundaries in British Columbia. In 1858, James Douglas became the first governor of British Columbia and mapped out the Indian reserves. In 1859, the Skeena pass was claimed by William Downie for railroads, which meant more exploration along the Skeena River. In 1864, Douglas was replaced by Joseph Trutch who reduced the size of reservations and created policies that are meant to discriminate against Indians. In 1867, the Constitution Act was passed which said that Canada was responsible for natives and that they had to reserve land for them. In 1872, the British took control of the Skeena River from the Kitselas, so they could no longer charge for people to enter the canyon. The Indian Act was established in 1876. In 1884, potlatch was outlawed. Tsimshian and Nisga’a Chiefs travel to Victoria in 1887 to plead for treaties and self governance, but are not obliged. In 1901, Kitselas Reserve territory was finalized and their land was reduced from 220,000 hectares to 1200 hectares. In 1904, the Homestead Act claimed that anybody except natives and Chinese could have 160 acres of land anywhere along the Skeena River for free. In 1927, Canada made it illegal for natives to fight for their land. In 1931, Tsimshian and Haida formed the Native Brotherhood where they discussed their grievances. In 1946, the flu epidemic killed many Kitselas political leaders and the fight for their rights did not start again until the 1980s. In 1951, the Indian Act was changed and potlatch and claims to land were made legal again. In 1982, the Constitution Act recognized the rights of Indians. In 1984, Tsimshian Tribal Council was formed of 7 bands in the Northwest. In 1990, those 7 bands began modern treaty negotiations.

Kitselas Treaty
Kitselas has been working toward a treaty since 1993. The goal of the Kitselas Treaty is to get Kitselas out from under the Indian Act and make the nation self-governing. The Indian Act was passed in 1876 by the Canadian government and is meant to control every aspect of native life as well as controlling how natives are allowed to govern themselves on reserves. The Kitselas people want to make their own laws and adopt their own constitution. The Canadian government did this without speaking with the Natives first. The Kitselas Treaty is currently in Stage Five out of the 6 stages that it takes for a treaty to be ratified under the BC Treaty Commission’s treaty negotiation process. In 2013, the Kitselas people voted in favor of the Agreement in Principle (AIP) which is essentially a rough draft of the Kitselas Treaty. The problem with the AIP is that it is not legally binding and thus the Kitselas people have been negotiating and working hard on the final draft. The final draft will be the Kitselas Treaty. Kitselas is part of the Tsimshian First Nation Treaty Society which is composed of the Kitselas, Gitga’at, Kitsumkalum, Metlakatla, Kitasoo/Xaixais. The Kitselas and the Kitsumkalum work closely together as both are in Stage Five in their respective treaties. This treaty is also an effort to regain lands. The Kitselas are currently in Phase 1 of their land use plan. They are taking suggestions from their community on what they have in mind for the future of the Kitselas Lands.

Kitselas Land and Reserves
The traditional land of the Kitselas encompasses British Columbia’s Northern coast of the Pacific Ocean to Skeena Valley. The Kitselas have lived on this land for over 5,000 years. They live on 10 reserves, but the Gitaus and Kulspai reserves are the most populated. The Gitaus Reserve is also known as Kitselas Canyon and is the traditional home for the Kitselas First Nation. The Kulspai reserve was traditionally used as a place for canoes to be beached for people that were moving south to Lakelse Lake. The Kshish Indian Reserve (No. 4) is where the Kitselas people were relocated in the 1880s. This reserve is only occupied during the summer. The Kshish Indian Reserve has an additional part to it which is reservation No. 4B and that land was given to the Kitselas to be used as a cemetery. Many of the reserves were affected by Canadian logging interests and land was often leased or agreements were broken for logging purposes. It is also not uncommon for land to be claimed for highways or railroads.

Kitselas Programs and Services
Kitselas First Nation offers several programs and services such as dog control services, education, emergency response, employment and training programs, garbage and recycling, health, housing, hunting and fishing, lands and resources, social development and youth programs.

Kitselas Businesses
The Kitselas First Nation has a few major businesses such as the Kitselas Development Corporation (KDC). The KDC is one of the main economic contributors for the Kitselas. The main focus of the KDC is to develop pieces of land that the Kitselas own and lease them to interested businesses. They want to find business opportunities within Kitselas territory. KDC works with government agencies and non government agencies for Kitselas development and opportunities. KDC’s main goal is to create employment opportunities for Kitselas people and people of other First Nations as well as use the profits to further the economy and diversity of the Kitselas First Nation. The KDC played a role in developing Kitselas Forestry Products and Wai Wah Environmental.

The Kitselas First Nation has a community hall on the Kulspai Reserve and it is available for rent for large events.

Demographics
The Kitselas First Nation has about 700 members.