Hli Goothl Wilp-Adokshl Nisg̱a’a Museum
With a design inspired by traditional Nisg̱a’a longhouses, feast dishes, and canoes, museum was opened in 2011 as a place for the Nisg̱a’a people to share their stories of wonder, tragedy, and triumph with the world.
The name Hli Goothl Wilp-Adokshl Nisg̱a’a means ‘the heart of Nisg̱a’a house crests,’ a name that celebrates the importance of tribes and tribal crests in Nisg̱a’a society.
The heart of the museum is the Anhooya’ahl Ga’angigatgum’ (the Ancestors’ Collection), which includes over 330 Nisg̱a’a cultural treasures—a stunning array of exquisitely carved masks, bentwood boxes, headdresses, soul catchers, regalia, and other works of art. These were taken from the Nisg̱a’a lands during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
During the struggle for the Nisg̱a’a Treaty, Nisg̱a’a Elders and leaders fought to ensure this scattered legacy would find its way home. With the signing of the treaty, these treasures were returned from museums in Ottawa and Victoria. For the first time since European colonization, they are displayed together in their place of origin.
The museum is recognized as one of Canada’s preeminent collections of Northwest Coast aboriginal art and cultural objects. The museum is also a centre of research, learning, and cultural tourism and organizes food gathering tours and other cultural and educational walking tours.
Carving Shed
In Nisga’a culture, carving is a means of recording history, telling stories, strengthening social and family ties, and celebrating and renewing culture, as well as creating objects that are both functional and beautiful.
Since 2007, the Lax̱g̱alts’ap carving shed has been a centre for the practice and teaching of carving. Many talented artists have worked in this space, creating totem poles, canoes, masks, and other works of art.
Ank’idaa Community Recreation and Leisure Park
Cool down on a hot day, enjoy an easy walk, or gather for a picnic at this village park, which features a 15-station splash park, change room, playground, elder’s fitness area, basketball court, walking loop, seating areas, and gazebo. Nisga’a culture is reflected in the park design, which is based on an image of a fish jumping out of water, and the logo, which was created by a Nisga’a artist.
St. Andrews Anglican Church
The Anglican Church is one of the oldest churches in the region. Learn more by visiting our Church page.
Lax̱g̱alts’ap Community Centre
This spacious building offers sports, recreation, cultural, and educational programming for all ages, including community events like feasts, weddings, and seasonal celebrations. Learn more by visiting our Community Centre page.
Cultural Events
The citizens of Lax̱g̱alts’ap welcome visitors to their community feasts and holidays. If you time your visit right, you can take part in Hoobiyee, a nation-wide celebration of the Nisg̱a’a new year (in February or March). This two-day event includes a back-to-back program of music and dance performances as well as arts and crafts vendors and meals featuring traditional foods, all offered free of charge. The event rotates annually between the four Nisg̱a’a villages. To learn about this and other community cultural events, see our Lax̱g̱alts’ap community calendar.
