Today as days of old, becoming a Chief is a very important event, for the Gitxsan and Wetsuweten tribes here are some of the rules. Firstly the Chief is mostly picked from birth, then groomed all his/her life for that position. In the grooming the child is held very strictly and habits are drilled into the child much like the modern day child in a royal family. Both education and manners are essential to him/her becoming a community leader and a religious person. They are constantly watched and all behavior is noted to see what kind of a leader they will make.
I heard it expressed by one of our chiefs that a Chief is looked to; much like a Bishop, in modern day churches. Now! You must remember that this ancient system has been here (British Columbia) for over a thousand years,
A modern day Chief must walk his/her territory, all houses or clans have designated land holdings, fishing holes and members. They must lead in all the attributes of the society, including laws written and unwritten, common law, and constitutional (or Feast Hall) laws. Chiefs do not react to just anything that bothers them, as they do not want to bring shame to their family, or “Dirty their Official Blanket!” They are extremely careful and they walk softly on the breath of their Grand parents. It is said that they are led by the wise from “up-above”
I heard it expressed by one of our chiefs that a Chief is looked to; much like a Bishop, in modern day churches. Now! You must remember that this ancient system has been here (British Columbia) for over a thousand years,
A modern day Chief must walk his/her territory, all houses or clans have designated land holdings, fishing holes and members. They must lead in all the attributes of the society, including laws written and unwritten, common law, and constitutional (or Feast Hall) laws. Chiefs do not react to just anything that bothers them, as they do not want to bring shame to their family, or “Dirty their Official Blanket!” They are extremely careful and they walk softly on the breath of their Grand parents. It is said that they are led by the wise from “up-above”
Many young people try to make their mark in our ancient system, but these new comers can be seen miles away. They are humored. In order to speak in one our feasts you must log hundreds of hours in the system before people will even acknowledge you being there. Even then you may not get a chance to say a word. This is not a democracy, but there are avenues to make your point in the feast hall. If the point you want to make is so crucial to the path of our people you must bring it to the feast hall through your father’s side of the family, and to do this you must pay your father Clan for this privilege. In that way you will be heard.
At one Feast at Hagwilget years ago, it was this one Chiefs turn to speak, no one dared say a word before this Chief took his turn to speak. The Chief pondered, ached, a thought about what he was going to say. A day and a half went by, finally the Chief rose to feet to speak. This was recorded by one of the first Doctors to the Hazelton area at contact time. A day and half, people waited for the man to take his turn to speak, can we do that today, I doubt if we could sit and be quite for one hour let alone 36 hours. I understand now why they call our village (Hagwilget) village of the quite people! RES
At one Feast at Hagwilget years ago, it was this one Chiefs turn to speak, no one dared say a word before this Chief took his turn to speak. The Chief pondered, ached, a thought about what he was going to say. A day and a half went by, finally the Chief rose to feet to speak. This was recorded by one of the first Doctors to the Hazelton area at contact time. A day and half, people waited for the man to take his turn to speak, can we do that today, I doubt if we could sit and be quite for one hour let alone 36 hours. I understand now why they call our village (Hagwilget) village of the quite people! RES
