Takes a look at the Gitxsan Community Structure. © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY GITXSAN Fireweed-HOUSE OF WOO SIM LAX HA'

1. Gitxsan Community
A glimpse of Gitxsan Traditional
Knowledge and legal system
Gisgaast
Wilps: Woo sim lax ha’
Sigidum Hanak: Atti-uu-u
Ugh de’ wil gal um
Produced by Peggy Morgan and Stephanie Morgan

2. Our Ancestors
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Our belief is god is with us and god is in
us, everything is sacred in all that we do, our
spirit speaks to all other spirits respectfully
Everything is done with the involvement of the
ancestors and the creator
Everything aboriginal people do begins with and
ends with prayer
We call the ancestors into our meeting to do
everything in a good way and with all respect
then end in prayer of thanks and to end with
goodness

3. Notes
The Gitxsan history, laws, and systems have
always been passed orally from generation to
generation; this accommodates change and
room to evolve
 Everything is done with the involvement of the
ancestors and the creator
 The government-paid agents follow Canadian
government laws and are separate from the
Gitxsan laws and systems
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– These agents include elected Chiefs, band
managers, negotiators, and Indian and Northern
Affairs Canada

4. What we will cover
Tribes, House (Clans), Crests
 Structure of the House
 Choosing a Hereditary Chief
 Functions of the House
 Basic Gitxsan Law
 Totem Poles
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5. Tribes, House (Clans), Crests
Matriarchy
Mirriam Webster Dictionary
“Main Entry: ma·tri·ar·chy
– Pronunciation: ˈmā-trē-ˈär-kē
– Function: noun
– Inflected Form(s): plural ma·tri·ar·chies
– Date: 1885
– 1 : a family, group, or state governed by a matriarch
– 2 : a system of social organization in which descent and inheritance are traced
through the female line”

6. There are 4 Gitxsan Tribes
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Fire Weed (Killer Whale)
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Frog
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Wolf
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Eagle

7. House (Clans)
Each Tribe is divided into Houses
 The Gitxsan follow a law of matriarchy
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– The children will be in the same House as the
mother
 If the Father is Fireweed and the mother is
Frog, the children will be Frog;
 If the father is Gitxsan and the mother is not, the
children are not considered Gitxsan

8. House/Clan structure
Adopted
Women
Protectors
Men
Advocates
Adults
Teachers
Wing Chief
Wing Chief
Head Chief

9. Crests

10. Choosing a Hereditary Chief
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Hereditary Chiefs are chosen by the House, and will hold title to
land
Chiefs from the house have final say on who will take the title of the
last Chief
Some factors considered when choosing a chief:
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Blood Lineage
committed to the community
respectful
hard working
knowledgeable
Income
A female or male may be considered to take the Chiefs title
– If it’s a woman being considered, the more children she has is favorable
 The character of the children is also considered
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The head chief takes on the name of the House
– For instance if the house is “A vessel overflowing with Heaven” then the
head Chiefs name will be “A vessel overflowing with Heaven”

11. Function of the House
Atti uu’ u’ (wing chief) and Gil ga’ jetix’ (granddaughter)

12. Function of the Chief
presents to the Gitxsan and Community what
the House has decided, any proceedings that
will take place, clarifies laws and land title
 Meets with the other Hereditary Chiefs to
discuss issues, community matters that have
been raised, liaises with the House
 Presents resolved or unresolved community
issues to the other chiefs
 Has decisive authority; however any use of
Gitxsan laws must be presented at the Feast
(Potlatch) in witness of all tribes and be affirmed
or dismissed by Hereditary House Chiefs
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13. Function of the Wing Chiefs
Works closely with the head Chief to
decide best route of action
 Stands in for head Chief if she/he is not
available to attend function
 Makes emergency and auxiliary decisions
 Helps Gitxsan systems run smoothly
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14. Functioning Gitxsan Community
Knows, applies, and teaches Gitxsan
Laws, traditions, values, and survival
skills
 Advocates and liaises for younger
house members
 Discusses with chiefs issues that may
arise, and presents possible solutions
 Witnesses the proceedings at feasts
(Potlatch)
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15. Father Tribe
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The Father Tribe plays a vital role in the Gitxsan
Community, they act as support to the house.
The Father Tribe is paid at the potlatch for their
integrity and work
Gaakl, Frog Tribe

16. Gitxsan Adoptions
A person can be adopted into a Gitxsan
House by the chief, or informally through
marriage and common law relationships
 The adopted person can participate in the
Gitxsan functions, potlatch’s, and use the
House crest to show who she or he
represents
 The adopted person can not speak for or
on behalf of the Gitxsan, Tribe or
House, and does not hold any legal power
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17. Basic Gitxsan Law
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All law is based on respect for all spiritual life
The Gitxsan follow a system of matriarch
Gitxsan Identity is determined by who the
mother is
– If the mother is Gitxsan then the child is Gitxsan
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At all times Gitxsan present their Nation, tribe
and House, when entering into
potlatch, combat, debate, or statement;
– status (tribe, house, name) must be given to all
parties and witnesses to be acknowledged
– Each house has a crest that is used also as
identification

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

19. Totem Poles
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The Totem Poles are raised when a generation
of House Chiefs have died
Totem Poles are read from the bottom up
The House Tribe starts the Pole
carvings are used that best represent the
experiences during their lives
Totem Poles are our history books
The last surviving chiefs story is at the top of the
Totem Pole, the new Chief who takes this name
is responsible to Raise the Pole

20. Other Community Topics
Respecting the Land and Life
 Ceremonies and Rituals
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– Medicines
Survival
 The Feast (Potlatch)
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– Death
– Marriage
– Shame
– Celebration/Honor

21. LSS Aboriginal Publications