News

NEGOTIATIONS AROUND GITXSAN LANGUAGE & CULTURE CONTINUE.

Draft 12 dated November 26, 2002 of the "Agreement-In-Principle Chapter: Language & Culture" now available in downlable pdf format for your information and reference.

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Excerpt from Draft 12:

DEFINITIONS

“Gitxsan Cultural Artifact” means any object created by, traded to, commissioned by, or given as a gift to a Gitxsan person or Gitxsan community, or that originated from a Gitxsan community or Heritage Site and that has past and ongoing importance to Gitxsan culture or spiritual practices, but does not include any object traded to, commissioned by or given as a gift to another First Nation or person.

“Cultural Heritage Resources” means Heritage Sites, Gitxsan Cultural Artifacts and Gitxsan ancient human remains.

“Gitxsan Lands” means those lands identified as Gitxsan Lands in Appendix [XX] of the Final Agreement.

“Gwal’yeinsxw” means ...“Heritage Site” means a site of archeological, historical or cultural significance and includes graves and burial sites.

“Lax yip” means ...

GENERAL

1. The Parties acknowledge the importance of the continuation and preservation of the culture, values and traditions of the Gitxsan.

2. The Parties acknowledge the importance of Gitxsan leadership in the preservation, conservation and management of Gitxsan Cultural Heritage Resources, consistent with the Language and Culture Chapter and the Final Agreement.

3. The Parties acknowledge the importance of Gitxsan leadership in the interpretation and representation by Canada and British Columbia of Gitxsan culture and society, consistent with the Language and Culture Chapter and the Final Agreement.

4. Canada and British Columbia support Gitxsan ability to participate in federal and provincial cultural and educational programs, in accordance with general criteria established for those programs from time to time.

5. The Parties recognize that Gitxsan language and culture are integral to the distinctive nature of Gitxsan society.

6. The Parties recognize and wish to protect the cultural, political, and economic distinctiveness, and the social well-being of the Gitxsan, consistent with the Language and Culture Chapter and the Final Agreement.

7. The Parties recognize that the use of Gitxsan language and culture reflects the Gitxsan identity, which includes the use of the terms ...

8. The Parties agree that the Gitxsan interest in preserving and enhancing Gitxsan language and culture can be reconciled with the interests of Canada and British Columbia in promoting appreciation of cultural diversity.

9. The Parties recognize and wish to protect a way of life that is based on a spiritual and long-standing relationship between the Gitxsan and the land, consistent with the Language and Culture Chapter and the Final Agreement.

To see the entire document, download in pdf format on this page.

Draft 11 was attached, in downloadable pdf format, to news item 'A SII SKI': Gitxsan Language & Culture Chapter Set Aside on Dec 5, 2002 on this website.

Download file: Draft 12 Gitxsan Language & Culture Chapter