\BC Supreme Court, provincial courthouse, Smithers, B.C., Oct. 24, 1984. Tired of waiting since 1977 for negotiations on land claims to begin, and after the failure of the federal government to clarify aboriginal rights as part of the 1982 Constitution Act, Gitxsan hereditary chiefs file for ownership, jurisdiction and self-government over their traditional territories.
Front row, right to left Gisdaywa (Alfred Joseph in ball cap), tribal council president Neil Sterritt, Delgamuukw (Albert Tait).