Gitxsan CommunityGitxsan CommunityA glimpse of Gitxsan Traditional A glimpse of Gitxsan Traditional

Knowledge and legal systemKnowledge and legal system

GisgaastGisgaastWilps: Woo sim lax ha’Wilps: Woo sim lax ha’

Sigidum Hanak: Atti-uu-uSigidum Hanak: Atti-uu-uUgh de’ wil gal umUgh de’ wil gal um

Produced by Peggy Morgan and Stephanie MorganProduced by Peggy Morgan and Stephanie Morgan

Our AncestorsOur Ancestors

Our belief is god is with us and god is in us, Our belief is god is with us and god is in us, everything is sacred in all that we do, our spirit everything is sacred in all that we do, our spirit speaks to all other spirits respectfullyspeaks to all other spirits respectfully

Everything is done with the involvement of the Everything is done with the involvement of the ancestors and the creatorancestors and the creator

Everything aboriginal people do begins with and Everything aboriginal people do begins with and ends with prayer ends with prayer

We call the ancestors into our meeting to do We call the ancestors into our meeting to do everything in a good way and with all respecteverything in a good way and with all respect

then end in prayer of thanks and to end with then end in prayer of thanks and to end with goodnessgoodness

NotesNotes

The Gitxsan history, laws, and systems have The Gitxsan history, laws, and systems have always been passed orally from generation to always been passed orally from generation to generation; this accommodates change and generation; this accommodates change and room to evolve room to evolve

Everything is done with the involvement of Everything is done with the involvement of the ancestors and the creatorthe ancestors and the creator

The government-paid agents follow Canadian The government-paid agents follow Canadian government laws and are separate from the government laws and are separate from the Gitxsan laws and systemsGitxsan laws and systems– These agents include elected Chiefs, band These agents include elected Chiefs, band

managers, negotiators, and Indian and Northern managers, negotiators, and Indian and Northern Affairs CanadaAffairs Canada

What we will coverWhat we will cover Tribes, House (Clans), CrestsTribes, House (Clans), Crests Structure of the HouseStructure of the House Choosing a Hereditary Chief Choosing a Hereditary Chief Functions of the HouseFunctions of the House Basic Gitxsan LawBasic Gitxsan Law Totem PolesTotem Poles

Tribes, House (Clans), CrestsTribes, House (Clans), Crests

MatriarchyMatriarchyMirriam Webster DictionaryMirriam Webster Dictionary

““Main Entry: Main Entry: ma·tri·ar·chyma·tri·ar·chy – Pronunciation: \Pronunciation: \ ˈ̍mā-trē-mā-trē- ˌ̩är-kē\ är-kē\ – Function: Function: nounnoun – Inflected Form(s): Inflected Form(s): pluralplural ma·tri·ar·chiesma·tri·ar·chies – Date: 1885Date: 1885– 11 :: a family, group, or state governed by a a family, group, or state governed by a matriarch– 22 :: a system of social organization in which descent and inheritance a system of social organization in which descent and inheritance

are traced through the female line”are traced through the female line”

There are 4 Gitxsan TribesThere are 4 Gitxsan Tribes

Fire Weed Fire Weed (Killer (Killer Whale)Whale)

Frog Frog

WolfWolf

EagleEagle

House (Clans)House (Clans)

Each Tribe is divided into HousesEach Tribe is divided into Houses The Gitxsan follow a law of The Gitxsan follow a law of

matriarchy matriarchy – The children will be in the same House The children will be in the same House

as the motheras the mother If the Father is Fireweed and the mother is If the Father is Fireweed and the mother is

Frog, the children will be Frog; Frog, the children will be Frog; If the father is Gitxsan and the mother is If the father is Gitxsan and the mother is

not, the children are not considered Gitxsannot, the children are not considered Gitxsan

House/Clan structureHouse/Clan structure

Head Chief

Wing Chief Wing Chief

Adults

Advocates

WomenMen

Protectors

Teachers

Adopted

CrestsCrests

Choosing a Hereditary Chief Choosing a Hereditary Chief

Hereditary Chiefs are chosen by the House, and will hold Hereditary Chiefs are chosen by the House, and will hold title to land title to land

Chiefs from the house have final say on who will take the Chiefs from the house have final say on who will take the title of the last Chieftitle of the last Chief

Some factors considered when choosing a chief: Some factors considered when choosing a chief: – Blood Lineage Blood Lineage – committed to the communitycommitted to the community– respectfulrespectful– hard workinghard working– knowledgeableknowledgeable– IncomeIncome

A female or male may be considered to take the Chiefs titleA female or male may be considered to take the Chiefs title– If it’s a woman being considered, the more children she has is If it’s a woman being considered, the more children she has is

favorablefavorable The character of the children is also considered The character of the children is also considered

The head chief takes on the name of the HouseThe head chief takes on the name of the House– For instance if the house is “A vessel overflowing with Heaven” For instance if the house is “A vessel overflowing with Heaven”

then the head Chiefs name will be “A vessel overflowing with then the head Chiefs name will be “A vessel overflowing with Heaven”Heaven”

Atti uu’ u’ (wing chief) and Gil ga’ jetix’ (granddaughter)

Function of the HouseFunction of the House

Function of the ChiefFunction of the Chief presents to the Gitxsan and Community what presents to the Gitxsan and Community what

the House has decided, any proceedings that the House has decided, any proceedings that will take place, clarifies laws and land titlewill take place, clarifies laws and land title

Meets with the other Hereditary Chiefs to Meets with the other Hereditary Chiefs to discuss issues, community matters that have discuss issues, community matters that have been raised, liaises with the Housebeen raised, liaises with the House

Presents resolved or unresolved community Presents resolved or unresolved community issues to the other chiefsissues to the other chiefs

Has decisive authority; however any use of Has decisive authority; however any use of Gitxsan laws must be presented at the Feast Gitxsan laws must be presented at the Feast (Potlatch) in witness of all tribes and be (Potlatch) in witness of all tribes and be affirmed or dismissed by Hereditary House affirmed or dismissed by Hereditary House ChiefsChiefs

Function of the Wing ChiefsFunction of the Wing Chiefs

Works closely with the head Chief to Works closely with the head Chief to decide best route of actiondecide best route of action

Stands in for head Chief if she/he is Stands in for head Chief if she/he is not available to attend functionnot available to attend function

Makes emergency and auxiliary Makes emergency and auxiliary decisionsdecisions

Helps Gitxsan systems run smoothlyHelps Gitxsan systems run smoothly

Functioning Gitxsan Functioning Gitxsan CommunityCommunity Knows, applies, and teaches Knows, applies, and teaches

Gitxsan Laws, traditions, values, Gitxsan Laws, traditions, values, and survival skillsand survival skills

Advocates and liaises for younger Advocates and liaises for younger house membershouse members

Discusses with chiefs issues that Discusses with chiefs issues that may arise, and presents possible may arise, and presents possible solutionssolutions

Witnesses the proceedings at Witnesses the proceedings at feasts (Potlatch) feasts (Potlatch)

Father TribeFather Tribe The Father Tribe plays a vital role in the The Father Tribe plays a vital role in the

Gitxsan Community, they act as support to Gitxsan Community, they act as support to the house. The Father Tribe is paid at the the house. The Father Tribe is paid at the potlatch for their integrity and workpotlatch for their integrity and work

Gaakl, Frog Tribe

Gitxsan AdoptionsGitxsan Adoptions A person can be adopted into a Gitxsan A person can be adopted into a Gitxsan

House by the chief, or informally House by the chief, or informally through marriage and common law through marriage and common law relationshipsrelationships

The adopted person can participate in The adopted person can participate in the Gitxsan functions, potlatch’s, and the Gitxsan functions, potlatch’s, and use the House crest to show who she or use the House crest to show who she or he representshe represents

The adopted person can not speak for The adopted person can not speak for or on behalf of the Gitxsan, Tribe or or on behalf of the Gitxsan, Tribe or House, and does not hold any legal House, and does not hold any legal powerpower

Basic Gitxsan LawBasic Gitxsan Law All law is based on respect for all spiritual All law is based on respect for all spiritual

lifelife The Gitxsan follow a system of matriarch The Gitxsan follow a system of matriarch Gitxsan Identity is determined by who the Gitxsan Identity is determined by who the

mother ismother is– If the mother is Gitxsan then the child is If the mother is Gitxsan then the child is

GitxsanGitxsan At all times Gitxsan present their Nation, At all times Gitxsan present their Nation,

tribe and House, when entering into tribe and House, when entering into potlatch, combat, debate, or statement; potlatch, combat, debate, or statement; – status (tribe, house, name) must be given to all status (tribe, house, name) must be given to all

parties and witnesses to be acknowledgedparties and witnesses to be acknowledged– Each house has a crest that is used also as Each house has a crest that is used also as

identificationidentification

Copyrights; Totem Poles can not be copied,they can be photographed but only published with the chiefs consent

Totem PolesTotem Poles The Totem Poles are raised when a The Totem Poles are raised when a

generation of House Chiefs have diedgeneration of House Chiefs have died Totem Poles are read from the bottom upTotem Poles are read from the bottom up The House Tribe starts the PoleThe House Tribe starts the Pole carvings are used that best represent the carvings are used that best represent the

experiences during their livesexperiences during their lives Totem Poles are our history booksTotem Poles are our history books The last surviving chiefs story is at the top The last surviving chiefs story is at the top

of the Totem Pole, the new Chief who takes of the Totem Pole, the new Chief who takes this name is responsible to Raise this name is responsible to Raise the Pole the Pole

Other Community TopicsOther Community Topics Respecting the Land and LifeRespecting the Land and Life Ceremonies and RitualsCeremonies and Rituals

– MedicinesMedicines SurvivalSurvival The Feast (Potlatch)The Feast (Potlatch)

– DeathDeath– MarriageMarriage– ShameShame– Celebration/HonorCelebration/Honor

LSS Aboriginal PublicationsLSS Aboriginal Publications