| 1977-84 | 1984-90 | 1991-92 | 1993 | 1994-96 | 1997 - 2002 |
1977 - 1984
Non-Gitxsan of European descent first encountered the Gitxsan governing system in the mid-19th century. Since then, Gitxsan hereditary chiefs attempted to reconcile the two worldviews. The most recent explanation of Gitxsan governance and title to Canadian authorities began in 1977.
This period of the exhibit starts with the federal Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs declaring Canada ready to negotiate on land claims with the Gitxsan in 1977 in Kispiox village. It ends in 1984 with Gitxsan chiefs filing a claim in the B.C. Supreme Court for ownership, jurisdiction and self-government on their traditional territories. It is a time of many meetings for the chiefs and information gathering about traditional knowledge of the territories in order to demonstrate the ayookw (laws), adaawk (oral history) and daxgyet (authority) underlying Gitxsan governance.
HEADLINES
Fundamentals
of Gitxsan governance unveiled
Canada
declares itself ready to negotiate
Constitutional
debate spurs activity on traditional lands
Gitxsan
Governance: Test Your Knowledge (Flash version) (text version)
