Kitselas Canyon facts for kids

The Hazelton at Kitselas Canyon

Kitselas Canyon, also known as Kitsalas Canyon, is a special part of the Skeena River in northwestern British Columbia, Canada. It's located between the communities of Usk and Kitselas. Long ago, this canyon was a big challenge for steamboats trying to travel up the Skeena River.

Today, Kitselas Canyon is recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada. This means it's a very important place in Canadian history.

People of the Canyon

The name "Kitselas" or "Gitselasu" means "People of the Canyon." The Kitselas people have lived in and around this canyon for an amazing 5,000 years! They are one of fourteen tribes that make up the larger Tsimshian Nation. The word "Tsimshian" means "in the entrance to the Ksian," which refers to the Skeena River.

The traditional language spoken by the Tsimshian people is called Sm’algyax. The Tsimshian Nation has four main family groups, known as clans:

• The Ghanada (Raven Clan)
• The Gispwuda (Killer Whale, also called Sea Bear or Black Fish Clan)
• The Lax’sgiik (Eagle Clan)
• The LaxGibu (Wolf Clan)

Within Kitselas Canyon itself, the Killer Whale, Eagle, and Raven clans were the ones who lived there.

Ancient Village Sites

There are five important village sites located within Kitselas Canyon. These were places where the Kitselas people built their homes and lived their lives:

• Tsunyow: This was the first village established in the canyon. Its name means "The Landing place."
• Gitaus: This village's name means "people of the sand bar."
• Gitlaxdzawk: Located in the middle of the canyon, this village has two meanings for its name: "People of the Fortress" and "People of the place of Feasts."
• The Wolf Clan, the LaxGibu, lived in nearby areas like LaxGyels (which is Lakelse Lake) and Klew’nu (which is the community of Usk).

Important Family Houses

Within the clans, there were specific "houses" or family groups. These names represent important family lines or leaders within each clan. Here are some of the houses listed by Wilfred Bennett Sr., showing which clan they belonged to:

• Laxsgiik (Eagle Clan) Houses:
  • House of Gagawtsgan
  • House of Gitxon
  • House of Iyuus
  • House of Nisgitlope
  • House of Nis’Hawas
  • House of Nis’Nagwalk
• Ganhada (Raven Clan) Houses:
  • House of Gwam (K’oom)
  • House of Sats’an
• Gispwuda (Killer Whale Clan) Houses:
  • House of Nis’Taxook
  • House of Hais
• LaxGibu (Wolf Clan) Houses:
  • House of Lax'tiil
  • House of Stee'How