Kitkatla facts for kids
The Kitkatla or Gitxaala are an important group of Tsimshian people. They are one of 14 such groups in British Columbia, Canada. Their main village, also called Kitkatla, is on Dolphin Island. This small island is near Porcher Island off the northern coast of B.C.
Because they live on islands, the Kitkatla are sometimes called the "people of the open sea." Their name, Kitkatla, comes from the Tsimshian words git- (meaning "people of") and kxaała (meaning "open sea"). They are the Tsimshian group living farthest from the mainland. Another name they use for themselves is Git lax m'oon, which means "people of the saltwater." This name shows how connected they are to the islands and inlets of their coastal home.
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Early Encounters and History
The Kitkatla people are known for being the first Tsimshians to meet Europeans. They were also the first to use guns. Stories tell how a family group, the House of Ts'ibasaa, got the special name He'l. This name came from an English ship's captain named Hale.
In later times, a person holding the name He'l also took on the rights of another chief's name, Seeks. This name belongs to another Kitkatla family group.
One important leader with the name Ts'ibasaa was Joshua Ts'ibasaa. He passed away in 1936. An expert on cultures, Viola Garfield, wrote a detailed description of his special memorial ceremony called a potlatch. A potlatch is a traditional feast and gift-giving ceremony.
Garfield also wrote about how the House of Ts'ibasaa's family history joined with another family group. This was the royal house of the Ginadoiks tribe of Tsimshians. They lived in Lax Kw'alaams (Port Simpson), B.C. Both of these family groups belonged to the Gispwudwada (Blackfish or Killerwhale clan).
In 1916, a lot of information was gathered about the Kitkatla people. This included their special family names, their lands, and their oral traditions. This information was collected by William Beynon. He was a Tsimshian chief and translator. He worked for an expert named Marius Barbeau.
Kitkatla Today
Today, Kitkatla is a large and active community. In 1983, its population was 493 people. The community has paused its talks with the British Columbia government for a short time. These talks are about agreements for their land and rights.
Kitkatla Family Groups
The Kitkatla people have different family groups, often called "houses." These houses belong to larger clans. Here are some of them:
- House of Dzagmgishaaytks – Ganhada (Raven clan)
- House of La'ooy – Ganhada (Raven clan)
- House of Ligidiił – Ganhada (Raven clan)
- House of Niismuulx – Gispwudwada (Blackfish or Killerwhale clan)
- House of Ts'ibasaa – Gispwudwada (Blackfish or Killerwhale clan)
Prominent People of Kitkatla Ancestry
Many notable people have Kitkatla heritage:
- Edward Gamble – a hereditary chief (holding the names Ts'ibasaa, He'l, Seeks)
- Russell Gamble – a hereditary chief and a leader in basketball administration (holding the name He'l)
- Charles Menzies – an anthropologist, someone who studies human societies and cultures
- Roy Henry Vickers – a famous artist
- Arthur Vickers (artist) – an artist
