“Dwelling Place Comprised of Dwelling Places”
Values
The Lax̱g̱altsʼap Village Government is guided by the Village Charter, a foundational legal document. The following excerpt from the Charter captures the principles and spirit that inform Lax̱g̱altsʼap governance:
“Our Simgiigat and Sigidimhaanak’ taught us to be stewards of our ango’oskw, to uphold our adawaak, and to honour our Ayuuk…We share resources and our responsibilities equally…[and] we seek to live in harmony among ourselves and with all those who share this land."
“Our Elders, our Ayuuk, the principles of Sayt K’il’im Goot and our spirituality have taught us sovereignty comes from the spirit, from within the people. We, the people of Lax̱g̱altsʼap, adopt this Lax̱g̱altsʼap Village Charter, with our spirits filled with joy for the renewal of Nisg̱a’a Government and our hearts filled with hope for the unity of the Nisg̱a’a Nation.”
Translation of Nisga’a words into English
Chiefs
Matriarchs
The traditional domain of each Wilp (sub-group of a Nisg̱a’a tribe, which is based on family links)
Traditional histories about the Nisg̱a’a people and the Nass Valley
Traditional laws and practices of the Nisg̱a’a Nation
The Nisg̱a’a spirit of being of one heart and the philosophy of the common bowl, which holds that all people, animals, lands, and the environment are all inter-connected
