The Nisga'a nation is made up of all the Nisga'a. Many Nisga'a l;ive in the Nass Valley but most do not.
For thousands of years Nisga'a have shared an identity as memembers of the Nisga'a nation. During this time they have had their own government and laws. In the 1860's the government of Briitsh Columbia established reserves in the Nass Valley. Since that time the Nisga'a have fought to regain control of their land.
Now, well over a hundred years after the government decided to put the original people of BC on reserves, the Nisga'a are succeeding in their struggle. On March 22, 1996 the Nisga'a signed and Agreement-In-Principle with the provincial and federal governments. This document says two things:
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From the time you are born you have a place in your community. Your family makes room for you. Relatives and neighbours greet you and accept you into their lives As an infant you are dependent on your family for everything. You need them to feed you, carry you, dress you, change your diaper, and to help yoiu burp. As you grow, you become more independent. Your family starts to look to you for support. You are asked to clean, cook, chop wood, look after brothers and sisters. The more independent you become, the more your family depends on you. In time, it is not just your parents and your brothers and sisters who rely on you, but the whole of your wilp. Its members look to you for help at feasts and other functions. As you grow, as you learn more about your wilp and your place in it, you will be asked to do more and more. Eventually, as an elder, you will be asked to take a leadership role in your wilp. When important decisions need to be made you will be asked for advice. As a member of a wilp and a pdeek each Nisga'a has a relationship with many other huwilp and pdeek. The ties created by these relationships allow Nisga'a to gain an understanding of the interdependence of all the people and institutions in their community. It also provides support for the Nisga'a understanding of the value of all plants and animals in their evironment. An elder's understanding of the interdependence of all people and the interdepedence of all things in the environment are key to the wisdome of Nisga'a elders. |