Aug 28th, 2011 by cmenzies
Just in from our final field reserach trip of the year. Our objective was to survey village sites in and around a major stone fish trap site on the west coast of Banks Island. We conducted auger and percussion core tests at three village sites (one of which was also a historic drag seine camp). This was in addition to detailed work on the south ends of Banks and Pitt Islands earlier this summer.
Each trip brings us more and more interesting information about the coast and the people who live here. One thing is for certain, the coast of the past was a busy and well occupied space!
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
Aug 14th, 2011 by cmenzies
Since 2009 a joint UBC/Gitxaala research team has been documenting ancient Gitxaala villages and resource harvesting sites. We have ranged from K’modah (Lowe Inlet) to Campania Island to Banks Island and within Kitkatla Inlet. We have identified half a dozen villages not previously recorded in the provincial database.
This final trip of the 2011 reserach season is a bit different – this time our focus on intertidal modifications linked to fish traps.
We’ll be traveling on-board the MV Northern Monarch to the west coast of Banks Island.
Posted in Fisheries, Research Projects | Comments Off on Laxyuup Gitxaala – research trips 2011
Nov 29th, 2010 by cmenzies
Update: December 2, 2010. Blockade to come down following Minister of Forests promise to meet with Gitxaala leadership.
——–
Going on two weeks now Gitxaala Hereditary leaders have engaged in a public act of asserting their sovereignty over the Laxyuup Gitxaala (traditional territory).
Two primary reasons have been given: (1) the logging company, Triumph Timber, has continuously refused to consult in a fair and adequate manner with respect to the logging of Gitxaala lands, and; (2) the Provincial Ministry of Forests and Range have consistently dragged their feet on meaningful negotiations regarding Gtixaala’s forest license.
Aboriginal fishing in front of non-aboriginal logging.
Gitxaala hereditary leaders have a long and consistent history of patient negotiations with newcomers and the explanation of Gitxaala’s authority and jurisdiction. From the time of the first foreign ships in Gitxaala waters (James Collnett in 1787 and J. Caamano in 1792) all the way through to the present the hereditary leadership and their speakers have consistently outlined the expectations for the behaviour of visitors.
Maybe this time the visitors will listen.
Local news feeds can be found here:
Posted in Aboriginal Title and Rights, Forestry | Comments Off on Gitxaala Defends Sovereignty of Laxyuup
