The Nisga'a Community of Laxgalts'ap,
British Columbia, Canada

The Nisga'a Community of Laxgalts'ap is nestled in the Nass Valley, Northwest Coast of British Columbia. The region is filled with natural beauty, unpolluted air, dramatic landscapes of volcanic lava and glacial ice, and numerous rivers such as the Nass River for which the Nass Valley is named.

Simgiigat Sigidim Haanak Xaa Knixt Kuuba Kilhl

"I take this opportunity to welcome all visitors to this website. It will have become very apparent to you all that the Nisga’a people (who we are) are most fortunate to be located in one of the most beautifully pristine parts of the world should you decide to be physically present here. It has been said that we have occupied the Nass River Valley that is located in the Northwestern part of or north coastal British Columbia for thousands of years. Our homeland is actually quite close to the Pacific Ocean and the Alaska Pan Handle.

There is an abundance of several species of marine and other wildlife that is amid some of the most breathtaking scenery presented in its landscapes and seascapes. Imagine yourself standing below a tree with 20+ Bald Eagles perched overhead; now realize that there are dozens of such trees surrounding you! On a good spring day you can count HUNDREDS of the majestic birds here.

The Nisga’a enjoy a rich history in British Columbia and Canada that is so ably presented in legendary and totemic art forms to the rest of the world.

Perhaps, one of the most significant achievements of the Nisga’a people is the ability to productively meld their culture with that of the broader Canadian society that renders them very functional in both the aboriginal and non aboriginal worlds. The Nation’s President recently described this as “Nisga’a dancing in both worlds”.

I extend a cordial invitation to you to come and visit us!"

Willard Martin
Sim’oogit Ni’is ‘Yuus
Chief Councillor
Laxgalts’ap Village Government

Our Community

Laxgalts'ap, British Columbia is located on the Nass River 29 kilometres from Gingolx, which is situated at the mouth of the Nass River. The Nisga'a People living here find a harvest vital to their survival --- salmon, cod, halibut, snappers, herring, flounder, skate, crabs, prawns, shrimp, mussels, cockles, clams, scallops, abalone, octopus, squid, sea prunes, seaweed, and sea urchin. Most homes have a smoke house and/or drying racks and the bountiful catches from the river are smoked or preserved in traditional ways.

Our Land

The area is a temperate rainforest with a climate that is moderated by warm winds and cloud masses that drift in from the Pacific Ocean, bringing heavy rain and snow. This produces the lush forested landscape.

Nisga'a land is rich in:

• salmon
• steelhead
• oolichan
• shellfish
• waterfowl
• bear
• mountain goat
• wolf and moose

The Nass River, British Columbia is home to the oolichan, a finger-sized member of the smelt family and a mainstay of the Nisga'a culture. Besides providing food, the oolichan is rendered into grease, a historic staple of Nisga'a trade. It's also known as candlefish because dried oolichan retain enough oil to burn like a candle. Oolichan are harvested in February or March at  Fishery Bay, roughly 2 km from Laxgalts'ap. At Fishery Bay, tons of oolichans are rendered down into the precious oil each year.

The oolichan run attracts predators such as:

• sea lions
• seals, porpoises
• Orca whales
• bald eagles
• and flocks of gulls
• The Nisga'a people also hunt the moose that is found in the neighbouring forests

A total of 2,500 Nisga'a citizens live within the four Nisga'a Communities:

• Gitlakdamix (New Aiyansh). New Aiyansh is also the location of the Nisga's Lisims Government
• Gingolx (Kincolith)
• Laxgalts'ap (Greenville)
• Gitwinksihlkw (Canyon City)

The Nisga'a People still hunt, fish and trap. There are also Nisga'a lawyers, administrators, politicians, priests, teachers, linguists, loggers, commercial fishermen, carvers, dancers, nurses, architects, technicians, and business people.

Laxgalts'ap is located approximately 150 kms north of Terrace, British Columbia.

Welcome to Laxgalts'ap! Enjoy your visit with us.