Kitasoo facts for kids

The Kitasoo are one of 14 groups of the Tsimshian people in Canada. They live with the Xai'xais people in the village of Klemtu, British Columbia. The Xai'xais are related to the Heiltsuk people.

The name Kitasoo comes from the Tsimshian name Gidestsu. This name means "people of the large, tiered house-depression." This refers to a special type of large house built into the ground.

The Kitasoo, along with the Gitga'ata Tsimshians in Hartley Bay, B.C., are often called "Southern Tsimshian." Their traditional language is the southern dialect of the Tsimshian language. Their local government is the Kitasoo/Xaixais First Nation. This group is part of the Oweekeno-Kitasoo-Nuxalk Tribal Council.

In 1947, a researcher named Marius Barbeau wrote about the Kitasoo. He noted that John Starr was from the "Klemtu" group. John Starr held the important family name Lagax'niitsk.

Life in Ancient Times

We know some things about how the Kitasoo lived long ago. This information comes from studying old sites and objects. These studies are called archaeology.

For example, the Kitasoo used many plants and animals for food. One plant they ate was the Whitebark Raspberry. Its scientific name is Rubus leucodermis. Learning about these foods helps us understand their daily life.