News

The economics of Gitxsan organizations-now the wilp

The competitive pressures from the wilp are intensifying and forcing change of how Gitxsan organizations will operate. Technology is making access to government programs and policies easier for the wilp to perform their own work.

In support of the wilp, the Gitxsan Treaty Office has been successful in obtaining provincial and federal recognition of the Gitxsan wilp and lax yip (32,000 sq km); many gains have been made in the overall objective to increase Gitxsan participation in all decisions affecting the lax yip and increase benefits of resource harvesting to the Gitxsan people.

The provincial and federal governments are no longer holding firm to their mandate to negotiate a small tract of land for the Gitxsan to live on. They suggest the lands will be termed “Gitxsan lands” and would be treated as ‘Fee Simple” lands-approximately 8% of the 32,000 sq. km claimed by the Simgiigyet. This is changing given the New Relationship agreement.

In negotiations with GTO, the province changed their position: Previous to June 1, 2003, the province did not want to recognize the wilp and Simgiigyet: The Deputy Ministers also directed the MAA to ensure there is language in the Procedures stating that the Province does not legally recognize individual Gitxsan Houses, or recognize that Gitxsan Houses hold aboriginal rights or title (letter dated January 31, 2000, addressed to Gary Patsey, Sr., Gitxsan Treaty Office).

One year later, the British Columbia Treaty Commission went along with this notion and wrote: While the Gitxsan would like Canada and British Columbia to acknowledge the Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs and the Gitxsan house system, the parties agree to defer resolution of this matter while efforts are made to make progress on the TRMs identified above. (letter dated December 5, 2001, to Mr. Elmer Derrick, Mr. Doug Caul, and Mr. Tom Molloy)

On June 1, 2003, we have persuaded the province to change:
British Columbia recognizes that the historic and contemporary use and stewardship of land and resources by the Gitxsan wilp are integral to the maintenance of Gitxsan Society, governance and economy within the Gitxsan traditional territory
And
British Columbia acknowledges that the Gitxsan Simgiigyet represent the huwilp.

As a result, the wilp is legally and politically recognized in BC. The wilp is seriously in need of proper funding to operate. The Simogyat is responsible to get the wilp organized. (The definition of “Gitxsan” is now important- “you must follow the blood lines”: Earl Muldon, Gylogyet’s liligit, Oct. 8, 2005). Other Gitxsan organizations may accept the wilp also.

The Diverse Face of the Simgiigyet

A powerful theme is emerging-the growing discontent within our culture, particularly among the young folk, wing chiefs and wilp members. We need to talk to each other more regularly and share information and perspectives. This is the intention of the forum called the Gimlitxwit.

The Gitxsan Simgiigyet are being recognized by Government in revenue sharing: BC Rail Trust Funds of $575,000 were released to three Simogyat in trust for members of their wilp. In addition the New Skeena Forest Products’ Funds of $200,000 were divided and released to five other Simogyat.

There is more revenue sharing in the works. 50-50 is our position. West Hawk Development Corporation that has applied for a license to harvest coal in the Upper Skeena and Groundhog Mountain area. This project is on Geel’s lax yip and in the Upper Skeena Watershed: Geel, Miluulak, Wii Gak, Wii gyet, Wii Minosik and GwininNitxw. Klappan Coal will be staying in touch through the Environmental Review process if what they do is going to affect the Skeena River in any way. (This is where Watersheds can support a wilp to advance rights and title issues.)

The Modern Image of a Simogyat

The Gitxsan hereditary chief can suffer economic losses as a result of the public’s jaundiced perception of aboriginal leaders and Gitxsan organizations. We can counter this by publicizing and celebrating the accomplishments of Gitxsan people and our organizations.

Unless we change our image wilp members will begin doing their own thing on the lax yip: logging without permission, selling fish, undermining our society. Some Gitxsan people think about the hereditary system only when they become involved with it- when someone dies, a family has to put on a feast, or you are out of work and you need to blockade your territory for employment-not rights.

One way to improve is in the area of hloomsxw-between Simgiigyet, wing chiefs, the Gimlitxwit and Gitxsan organizations. We do get along and this should always be our collective goal as it was with our ancestors.

The Gimlitxwit will be making snap decisions on some matters and on others matters will go back for consultation with their wilp. The Gitxsan policies will assist the chiefs in making decisions on their lax yip for such government activities as the Omineca Stewart Resource Road, Revenue Sharing, all Tenures and the Short Term Forest Agreement.

As you know, our Simgiigyet continue to protect Gitxsan interests in the northeast portion of our territories. The 4 Nations: Gitxsan House of Nii Kyap, Takla Lake Band, Tsay Keh Dene Band, and Kwadacha Band are organized in dealing with a project: Kemess North mine. Presently there has been a Joint Environmental Review process set up without any consultation or accommodation of 4 Nations’ interests.

In Conclusion

The public is taking the interests of the Simgiigyet and the wilp very seriously. They perceive the Gitxsan wilp to be very credible.