Ginaxangiik facts for kids

The Ginaxangiik are one of 14 tribes that belong to the Tsimshian Nation. This Indigenous group lives in British Columbia, Canada. They are also one of the "Nine Tribes" who live along the lower Skeena River in a place called Lax Kw'alaams (also known as Port Simpson).

The name Ginaxangiik means "people of the hemlock." Hemlock is a type of tree. Their traditional lands include the area around the Exchamsiks River. This river flows into the Skeena River. Since 1834, the Ginaxangiik have lived in Lax Kw'alaams. This was when the Hudson's Bay Company built a trading fort there.

Ginaxangiik Leaders and Clans

The Ginaxangiik tribe has a long history of leaders. These leaders often held special hereditary names. This means the names were passed down through families.

Past Leaders

In the past, important leaders held names like 'Alamlaxha and Txagaaxs. Later, the name 'Wiiseeks became very important. This name belonged to the same royal family group as 'Alamlaxha and Txagaaxs. This family was part of the Gispwudwada (Killerwhale clan).

An expert named Viola Garfield studied the Ginaxangiik. She reported that Albert McMillan was the chief in the 1890s. He held the name 'Wiiseeks. When McMillan passed away, the name went to his sister's son. After that, it went to his brother. In 1938, Garfield noted that the tribe had eight different chiefs in the 1800s.

Traditional Gatherings

In 1929, a leader named 'Alamlaxha held a special event called a potlatch feast. During this feast, a flagpole was put up instead of a traditional totem pole. This showed a shift away from some older customs.

Ginaxangiik Family Groups

In 1935, another expert, William Beynon, recorded information about the Ginaxangiik people in Lax Kw'alaams. He noted that 41 members belonged to the Gispwudwada (Killerwhale clan). They were part of four different family groups. Ten members belonged to the Ganhada (Raven clan). They were part of one family group.

The House of Midiiks

One of the Ganhada (Raven clan) family groups was called the House of Midiiks. In the 1930s, Mark Luther was the head of this house. He held the name Midiiks. He shared a lot of information with Viola Garfield for her studies. Later members of this house included Robert Sampson and George Henry. Robert Sampson adopted his three children into the house: William, Matilda, and Elizabeth. This adoption led to five male heirs. The last of these heirs passed away in 2002. In 2008, a family member from this house returned to Lax Kw'alaams. This means the House of Midiiks has members again today.

The House of Halaaydmgan

Another family group was the House of Halaaydmgan. This name means "Dancing Wood." They belonged to the Laxgibuu (Wolf clan). By the late 1950s, this house no longer had members. However, a totem pole from this house was put up around 1880. It showed a shaman, a spiritual leader. Viola Garfield said in 1938 that it was "one of the finest carved figures" still standing in Port Simpson.

Main Ginaxangiik Houses

Here are some of the important family groups, or "houses," of the Ginaxangiik:

• House of 'Wiiseeks/Taax Gaaxs—Gispwudwada (Killerwhale clan) (This was the main leading house)
• House of 'Liyaa'mlaxha—Gispwudwada (Killerwhale clan)
• House of Halaaydmgan—Laxgibuu (Wolf clan)
• House of Midiiks—Ganhada (Raven clan)

Prominent Ginaxangiiks

Many important people have come from the Ginaxangiik tribe. Here are a few:

• Kate Dudoward: A hereditary leader and mother of Charles Dudoward.
• Charles Dudoward: A hereditary chief, a merchant, and a famous artist. He was the son of Alfred and Kate Dudoward.
• Fred Dudoward Sr.: A hereditary chief.
• Garry Reece Sr.: A hereditary chief.
• Kerry Moraes: An executive in charge of Indigenous Language Content at APTN (Aboriginal Peoples Television Network).