Press Release – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 11, 2024

Territory of the 9 Allied Tribes of Lax Kw’alaams – On Monday April 8, 2024, Highway 16 between Prince Rupert and Terrace saw 6 new public signs raised, informing readers about the history of the traditional territory of the 9 Allied Tribes of Lax Kw’alaams.

Photo by John Latimer.

The signs were stood up at rest stops along the lower Skeena watershed along Highway 16. These signs are unique in sharing adaawx (oral history) as a part of the larger Ts’msyen territory, stewarded by the 9 Allied Tribes of Lax Kw’alaams. This project also promotes the Sm’algyax language (the language of the Ts’msyen) in the Skeena corridor, including Sm’algyax place names, plants, and animals.

After several years of development, Lax Kw’alaams Band and hereditary leadership, staff and membership are taking pride in the raising of the signage project. The signage was developed in close communication with tribal representatives, with additional archival research and surveying conducted by Lax Kw’alaams staff.

Challenges

Despite the signage having overwhelming support by council, hereditary leadership and Lax Kw’alaams members alike, some of the signs have already been vandalized by unknown persons or stolen completely. Lax Kw’alaams leadership wishes to assure the membership that the signs will be reinforced and replaced, and that the Lax Kw’alaams Band does not condone vandalism of any kind.

Additionally, the signs may not be accessible to all interested readers, as they are located outside of town along Highway 16. To make this information accessible, digital copies of the signage will soon be available on the Lax Kw’alaams Band website at: https://laxkwalaams.ca/truth-and-reconciliation/

Background

This Skeena signage project began in 2017. The project has support from the hereditary leadership of Gitwilgyoots, Gitzaxłaał, Gits’iis, Gitnadoixs, Ginaxangiik, Gitando, Giluts’aaw and Gitlaan. These Ts’msyen tribes either host or are in close proximity to the location of the new signage. Lax Kw’alaams leadership maintains that Lax Kw’alaams has never ceded or surrendered their rights, or any part of the traditional territory of the 9 Allied Tribes of Lax Kw’alaams.

About Us

This is a joint project between Lax Kw’alaams Band, Lax Kw’alaams Business Development LP and the Allied Tsimshian Tribes Association.

Quotes

Lax Kw’alaams has always affirmed our territorial boundaries on the basis of the adaawx (oral history) of the 9 Allied Tsimshian Tribes of Lax Kw’alaams. Our territorial map has largely remained the same over the years, because it is firmly rooted in our history and culture – pre-contact to the present day. This project is intended to share the history of our traditional territory with residents and visitors alike. – Garry Reece, Mayor of Lax Kw’alaams

When this project was brought for consideration, and after lengthy discussions with the 9 Allied Tribes of Lax Kw’alaams, tribal representatives volunteered to have these signs installed in their tribal territories along the Skeena River. These signs were developed with the intent of putting them in our unceded territory. Since time immemorial we have left markings and markers within our territory – which we see archaeological evidence of to this day. We’ve created signs throughout our history, and this signage project is a continuation of practice. We are sharing our adaawx, in a new way, with consent and support of the tribal representatives of Lax Kw’alaams. – Stan Dennis Jr., Allied Tsimshian Tribes Gal’malgyax

Media contact

Lisa Girbav
Manager of Communications and Public Relations
Lax Kw’alaams Band
[email protected]

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