Gitando facts for kids
The Gitando are one of the 14 tribes of the Tsimshian people. They are the youngest tribe to form. The Tsimshian live in British Columbia, Canada. The Gitando are also part of the "Nine Tribes" First Nation. These tribes live near the lower Skeena River at Lax Kw'alaams. This place is also called Port Simpson. The name Gitando means "people of weirs." Weirs are special fences used to catch fish. Their traditional land is around the Exstew River. This river flows into the Skeena River. Since 1834, the Gitando have lived at Lax Kw'alaams. This happened after the Hudson's Bay Company built a trading fort there. The Gitando are close to the Gispaxlo'ots tribe. The Gispaxlo'ots are another of the Nine Tribes.
Contents
Gitando History and Leaders
Family and Leadership
The Tsimshian people have a special family system. Property and important family roles pass down through the mother's side of the family. This is called a matrilineal system. The main leader of the Gitando is called Sgagweet. This is a special family name. The person holding this name is the chief of the House of Sgagweet. This house is part of the Laxsgiik (Eagle clan).
In 1938, a researcher named Viola Garfield learned about the Sgagweet title. It came from Chief Paul Sgagweet, who passed away in 1887. A 15-foot totem pole was made to remember him. It showed a "Standing Feeding Beaver," one of his family symbols. This totem pole still stands in Lax Kw'alaams today. Paul Sgagweet chose his first cousin, Alfred Dudoward, to take over the name.
Passing on the Chief's Title
Alfred Dudoward helped start a Methodist church in Lax Kw'alaams. He did not have children who could inherit the title through the mother's side. So, he adopted his own son and a niece into his family group. His son inherited the Sgagweet name after Alfred passed away around 1914 or 1915. This son was chief when Viola Garfield wrote her report in 1938.
He had chosen his niece's son, Clarence Watson, to be the next chief. However, Clarence moved away to southern British Columbia. He also chose to become a Canadian citizen. At that time, this meant he had to give up his Native Status as an Indigenous person.
After this, Alfred Dudoward's sons looked after the chieftainship. The youngest son, Charles Dudoward (also known as Chief Wiishakes), later gave the responsibility to his first cousin's son, Libby Kelly. From Libby, the names were passed to his nephews, Mitch and Fred Dudoward. However, the special name Sgagweet has not been officially given to anyone since Alfred Dudoward.
Gitando Families and Clans
Main Family Groups
In 1935, a record by William Beynon showed the Gitando people in Lax Kw'alaams. There were 14 members of the Gispwudwada (Killerwhale clan). There were 17 members of the Ganhada (Raven) clan. And there were 25 members of the Laxsgiik (Eagle) clan. The Eagle clan had two family groups, including the House of Sgagweet.
George Kelly was part of the House of Sgagweet. He was adopted into the Gispaxlo'ots tribe. This was done to keep the House of Ligeex going, which was closely related to Sgagweet.
Totem Poles and Houses
The anthropologist Marius Barbeau studied totem poles. He described several poles that belonged to different Gitando Eagle clan houses. These poles once stood in Lax Kw'alaams. One pole, from the Sgagweet house, showed a Standing Beaver. It was still standing in 1947.
Besides the House of Sgagweet, other Gitando houses include:
- Gilasgamgan—Laxsgiik (Eagle clan)
- Gistaaku—Laxsgiik (Eagle)
- Gamayaam—Gispwudwada (Killerwhale)
- Niisxłoo—Laxsgiik (Eagle)
- 'Nluulax—Laxsgiik (Eagle)
In the early 1900s, there were ten houses in total. But many people in the Gitando and other Tsimshian tribes passed away. This was due to infectious disease epidemics and people moving away. Today, in the early 2000s, about six families live in four Gitando houses:
- House of Sgagweet
- House of Gilasgamgan & Gistaaku
- House of Geyshluk (from Gamayaam)
