Nisga'a

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For the Nisg̱a'a language, see Nisga'a language.

Nisga'a flag

Mask with open eyes, worn during winter halait ceremonies, 18th–early 19th century

The Nisg̱a'a (pronounced Nis-gah) are of the First Nations of Canada. They live in the Nass River valley of northwestern British Columbia.

Nisg̱a'a society is organized into four clans: Ganada (Raven), Gisk'aast (Killer Whale), Lax̱gibuu (Wolf), and Lax̱sgiik (Eagle).

The Nisg̱a'a people number about 6,000. In British Columbia the Nisg̱a'a Nation is represented by four Villages and 3 urban societies. These are:

Approximately 2,500 live in the Nass Valley (within the 4 villages) and another 3,500 Nisg̱a'a live elsewhere in Canada, and around the world (predominantly within the 3 urban societies).

1 Land claim
2 See also
3 Bibliography
4 External links

[edit] Land claim

On April 13, 2000, a land-claim was settled between the Nisg̱a'a, the government of British Columbia, and the Government of Canada. As part of the settlement in the Nass River valley nearly 2,000 square kilometres of land was officially recognized as Nisg̱a'a, and as well a 300,000 cubic decameter water reservation was created. The Bear Glacier Provincial Park was also created as a result of this agreement. The land-claim's settlement was the first formal treaty between a First Nation and the Province of British Columbia in modern times.

[edit] See also

[edit] Bibliography

"Fur Trader, A" (Peter Skene Ogden) (1933) Traits of American Indian Life and Character. San Francisco: Grabhorn Press. Reprinted, Dover Publications, 1995. (Ch. 4 is the earliest known description of a Nisga'a feast.)