For the Gitxsan people, the Wilp and clan are the two most important units of society. A person is born into a particular Wilp and clan. The Gitxsan, like many other small societies, are well organized through kinship lines. Kinship organizes most aspects of life including property ownership,

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The Gitxsan have a matrilineal system with House members tracing lineage through their mother's side. All Gitxsan belong to a Wilp (House group), which is the basic unit for social, economic and political purposes. Wilps are made up of a collection of closely related people. Membership in the

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