Tsetsaut facts for kids

The Tsetsaut were a group of Indigenous people who spoke a language from the Athabaskan family. Their homeland was near the top of the Portland Canal. This area is now on the border between Alaska in the United States and British Columbia in Canada.

The name T'set'sa'ut means "those of the Interior." This name was used by the Nisga'a and Gitxsan peoples. It described the Tsetsaut because they had moved into the area from farther inland. This name could also refer to other groups like the Tahltan and Sekani.

Not much is known about the Tsetsaut people. Most of what we know comes from stories told by the Nisga'a. We also have some words from their language. These words were collected in 1894 by a researcher named Franz Boas. He spoke with two Tsetsaut individuals who were living with the Nisga'a at that time.

The Tsetsaut People's Decline

In the year 1830, it was thought that about 500 Tsetsaut people were alive. They were living in the Behm Canal area. They were friendly with a group of Tlingit people called the Sanya kwaan and also the Lakweip. Later, they moved to the Portland Canal.

Over time, the Tsetsaut population became very small. This was due to attacks and diseases. By 1895, only about 12 Tsetsaut people were left. These remaining people were protected by a Nisga'a chief. He was from the Eagle clan and his name was Sim'oogit "Sganisim Sim'oogit". The word Sim'oogit means "mountain chief."

After the last Tsetsaut people passed away, the Nisga'a chief's family took on the Tsetsaut legacy. This means they now hold the history and traditions of the Tsetsaut in their native laws.

Tsetsaut Territory

According to a researcher named James Teit, the Tsetsaut's land stretched a long way. It went from near Bradfield Canal and the Iskut River. It also crossed streams that flow into Behm Canal. Their land might have reached about the head of Boca de Quadra.

They lived in the entire upper part of the Portland Canal. This included the area around the town of Stewart in British Columbia. It also included the Salmon River and Bear River. They might have traveled down the canal as far as Maple Bay.

The Tsetsaut also lived in the White River and Meziadin Lake areas. One of their main places, especially for fishing salmon, was at Meziadin Lake. Their territory also reached across the top of the Skeena River, above the Kuldo River. It went over to Bear Lake and Sustut Lake.