Kitsumkalum << KIHT suhm KAY luhm >> are a First Nations people of Canada’s northwest coast. First Nations is a designation used in Canada for indigenous (native) peoples. Kitsumkalum territory includes inland and coastal areas along the northern coast of British Columbia , including the Kitsumkalum River watershed (area of land that drains into the river); areas around the confluence (meeting) of the Skeena and Kitsumkalum rivers; and the cities of Terrace and Prince Rupert.
The Kitsumkalum Nation is part of a larger group of related nations known as the Tsimshian . The language of the Kitsumkalum is Sm’algyax, also known as Coast Tsimshian.
Traditionally, salmon, halibut, and other marine foods were important resources for the Kitsumkalum. In addition to fishing, they hunted wildlife and gathered a variety of plant foods. Small family groups spent much of the year moving throughout their territory, harvesting resources. They spent each winter at the same village site, which they shared with other family groups. Groups of related families each lived in a separate large house constructed with cedar planks.
Cedar was an important resource for the Kitsumkalum. In addition to housing, it was used to make canoes, totem poles, masks, and tools. Cedar bark was shredded and woven into baskets, mats, and clothing.
Groups of related individuals, sometimes called houses, formed the main social and political units in traditional Kitsumkalum society. These groups were matrilineal, with membership based on women ancestors. Individuals were chosen as leaders based on the house that they belonged to. House membership also determined individuals’ names, as well as their hunting and fishing territories. Each house had its own leader and belonged to one of the four clans (related family groups)—Raven, Eagle, Wolf, and Killer Whale.
The Kitsumkalum held elaborate feasts called potlatches to mark marriages, deaths, or other notable occasions. Potlatches were also used to establish social rank and maintain alliances. Hosts achieved these goals by displaying possessions, giving them away, or occasionally destroying them.
There are currently several hundred members of the Kitsumkalum Nation. Despite forced changes to traditional ways of life and a significant population loss since the 1800’s, core elements of Kitsumkalum culture, such as potlatching, kinship organization, and woodcarving, have endured. Fishing remains especially important. The Kitsumkalum Nation has made various agreements with the Canadian government but has never surrendered Kitsumkalum territory nor signed an official treaty.
