"The Importance of Elders in Laxgalts’ap/Nisga’a Nation"

It’s about respect - - "Kwhlixoosa’anskw"

Elders at the official opening of the Nursery/Day Care. 
Photo contributed by Wanda Stevens, Manager of the Nursery/Day Care

"An elder happened upon the scene and warned the children, take care what you do. The salmon will curse you and the Creator will respond in kind."

"The ground began to tremble and shake. Nature’s harmony had been upset. A scout was sent to investigate. From the top of Gennu’aaxwt, he saw smoke and flames and ran to warn the people of their fiery destiny. In panic, some villagers fled up the mountain. Others canoed to the far side of the river but were killed by the lava."

Excerpt is from "Laxmihl" compliments of
Public Education - Nisga’a Lisims Government.
Published under the authority of the Nisga’a
Nation, the Province of British Columbia, and
The Government of Canada, New Aiyansh,
B.C., Victoria, B.C., Ottawa, Ontario, June
2004. www.nisgaalisims.ca - www.aijnc-inac.
gc.ca – www.prov.gov.bc.ca/tno/

"The Ayuukhl Nisga’a is our code of laws…ten areas that today we still observe and consider hallowed. The first is respect. When you understand the meaning of respect you have a power that emanates from you and the people around you will respond likewise – they will treat you respectfully. And so, when it comes to the laws of the Nisga’a, if you can’t understand the meaning of respect, then you are going to run afoul of every area of Nisga’a law."

Late Dr. Bert McKay, Nisga'a elder
Page 6 of Laxmihl booklet