Gitga’at Nation
Hartley Bay
The Gitga’at Nation, whose name means “People of the Cane,” are members of the Tsimshian Nation group.
The main Gitga’at community is located in Hartley Bay, on BC’s North Coast.
Gitga’at Nation
Their territory encompasses the mainland and coastal islands of the lower Douglas Channel, Whale Channel, Wright Sound, and Lewis Pass to Caamano Sound on BC’s North and Central Coast.
Laxgalts’ap (or “Old Town”) was the ancestral home and main winter village for the Gitga’at Nation, located in Kitkiata Inlet on the northwest side of Douglas Channel.
Today the main Gitga’at community resides in Txalgiu (Hartley Bay), though the community still visit and occupy historic village sites throughout their territory to fish, gather berries, harvest seaweed, and manage their resources.
The community well-being of the Gitga’at Nation is closely intertwined with the health of their territory, the water and land, and the resources they contain. The Gitga’at Nation is intent on maintaining and protecting these resources for future generations and its members are currently working towards implementing a conservation-based marine use plan.
The marine use plan will protect cultural areas and heritage sites, conserve and sustainably manage marine resources as well as increase capacity within the Gitga’at Nation to undertake stewardship activities.
Related to Gitga’at Nation
Gitga’at Guardians: Using Science to Safeguard their Territory
The Gitga’at Nation is protecting ecosystems, wildlife, and cultural assets in their territory through monitoring and research.
Coastal Revival: A new documentary mini-series
Coastal Revival is a new documentary series that tells the story of how First Nations, conservationists, researchers and ecotourism are combining to protect some of the most emblematic wildlife on BC’s coast.
Gitga’at Guardians Aid in Whale Rescue
In July 2015 the Gitga’at Guardians aided in the rescue of a beached orca whale in their territory.
Gitga'at Organizations and Resources
Online Resources
- Gitga'at First Nation
State of the Gitga'at Ocean Report (2015/16)
- Gitga'at Guardian Watchmen
Coastal Stewardship Network
- Researcher moved by drama of killer whale rescue in BC
Marven Robinson in The Globe and Mail
- Gitga’at Marine Biologist Speaks about Whales and Tankers
CBC Daybreak North
- National Geographic Live! - Capturing the Spirit Bear
National Geographic
- Gitga'at First Nation
North Coast Skeena First Nations Stewardship Society
Related Protected Areas
- Alty Conservancy
- Bishop Bay – Monkey Beach Conservancy
- Bishop Bay – Monkey Beach Corridor Conservancy
- Byers / Conroy / Harvey / Sinnett Islands Ecological Reserve
- Foch-Gilttoyees Provincial Park and Protected Area
- Jesse Falls Protected Area
- K’distsausk/Turtle Point Conservancy
- K’lgaan/Klekane Conservancy
- K’mooda/Lowe-Gamble Conservancy
- K’nabiyaaxl / Ashdown Conservancy
- K’ootz/Khutze Conservancy
- K’waal Conservancy
- Kt’ii/Racey Conservancy
- Ktisgaidz/MacDonald Bay Conservancy
- Lax ka’Gass/Campania Conservancy
- Lax Kwil Dziidz/Fin Conservancy
- Lowe Inlet Marine Provincial Park
- Maxtaktsm’aa/Union Passage Conservancy
- Moksgm’ol/Chapple-Cornwall Conservancy
- Moore/Mckenney/Whitmore Islands Ecological Reserve
- Monckton Nii Luutiksm Conservancy
- Q’altanaas / Aaltanhas Conservancy
- Simpson Lake East Conservancy
- Stair Creek Conservancy
- Union Passage Marine Provincial Park