#kitwanga

[mudwerks]

Restoring teeth of lion totem, Kitwanga, British Columbia / Restauration des dents d’un totem du lion de montagne, Kitwanga (Colombie-Britannique)

[rabbitcruiser]

Winding Path

What do you think about my pic?  

[petsincollections]

Gitksan totem of a cougar or mountain lion, Kitwanga, British Columbia, 1910

Wood carving of a large cat; possibly cougar or mountain lion. Displayed on wooden platform in clearing; man sits on platform next to pedestal. Totem pole in background. Totem also seen in NA3446 Note from unidentified source: Figure how-how of a mythical animal which is believed to have been a mountain lion or cougar that wandered north to the Skeena country and killed people; later it was killed and taken by the clan [at Kitwanga] as a crest. Here it stands as a family totem.

[NA3436]

American Indians of the Pacific Northwest -- Image Portion

University of Washington Libraries

[rabbitcruiser]

Gitwangak Battle Hill, BC (No. 4)

Park at the viewpoint of Gitwangak Battle Hill National Historic Site and survey the surrounding hills and Kitwanga River valley as the Gitwangak people did in the mid-1700s to early 1800s. Their fortified village once stood on a high mound next to the river and Kitwankul Grease Trail, fuelling trade in oolichan grease, a rich staple.

Take a short walk down a wooden staircase to the grassy mound where five cedar plank longhouses were once surrounded by a palisade, armed with massive spiked logs. Learn about the fort’s famous warrior ‘Nekt, whose exploits are legendary in the northwestern BC regions of Skeena, Kitimat and Nass.

At nearby Gitwangak Village, view a collection of age-old totem poles rich in First Nations history. Examine the totem “Man-Crushing Log”, erected in 1905, depicting stories related to Battle Hill figures and families, including ‘Nekt in fierce grizzly bear armour.

Source

[rabbitcruiser]

Gitwangak Battle Hill, BC (No. 2)

According to legend, Lutraisuh, daughter of a noble family, was kidnapped by a Haida war party. After bearing three sons to a blind chief, she escaped with the surviving third son. The boy, called Nekt, grew up to became a fierce warrior. He killed a grizzly bear, lined the hide with sheets of slate, and created a simple suit of armor. His people built the hilltop stronghold from which they waged war. His enemies regarded Nekt as a mythical bear that could not be killed. His war club was called Strike-Only-Once. Eventually, a shot from the first firearm in the territory killed him.

Designated a national historic site in 1971, the Gitwangak hilltop fort (Ta’awdzep) was burned and abandoned about 1835. Formerly known as Kitwanga Fort, the site was occupied from at least the mid-1700s. Palisades surrounded the hilltop stronghold, which enclosed five longhouses. No above ground structures have survived. From here, the Gitwangak people raided settlements along the Skeena River and the coast. Battles were waged to control fishing sites, protect trade routes, and enhance tribal prestige. A defensive measure was a system of logs designed to roll down upon approaching attackers. The location offered a vantage point over the adjacent Kitwankul Trail and the Kitwanga River Valley.

Source: Wikipedia

[rabbitcruiser]

Gitwangak Battle Hill, BC (No. 5)

Gitwangak elders tell the story of the fierce warrior chief, 'Nekt, who used Battle Hill as a base to make raids against Nass River and coastal peoples for food, slaves and control of lucrative trade routes.

To defend the Battle Hill's refuge of houses, 'Nekt and his warriors hoisted huge spiked logs up the palisade walls and fastened them with cedar ropes. When the war horn signaled an enemy attack, the logs were rolled down to crush the invaders.

'Nekt wore armour made of a grizzly hide with pieces of slate glued to the inside, and carried a magical club called k'i'laa, "Strike-Only-Once."

Oral history related by the late Fred Johnson, Chief Lelt, says 'Nekt was finally defeated when an arrow struck him in the back of his leg. When he fell to the ground, a Nisga'a warrior beheaded him. After 'Nekt's death, peace returned to the area. The Gitwangak people moved to Gitwangak Village, located 6 km to the south on the banks of the Skeena River. At some point the fort burned to the ground.

The totems of Gitwangak, located in this newer village, display crests relating 'Nekt's original flight from Haida Gwaii, his exploits as a warrior, and his occupation of Battle Hill.

Source

[rabbitcruiser]

Gitwangak Battle Hill, BC (No. 3)

When you arrive at the site, you'll find parking at a viewpoint overlooking Battle Hill. Three interpretive panels in the parking lot tell the story of the site and entice visitors to learn more by walking the short self-guiding trail.

Start by walking down a wooden staircase into the river valley. You'll traverse the base of the hill, stopping to read two more interpretive panels, then ascend another set of stairs leading to the top of this former hill fortress. Benches placed at the summit offer excellent views and a rest after your short exertion. The final two panels reveal more about 'Nekt and Gitwangak history. Return by the same route.

Walking the trail at a leisurely pace and reading all the panels will take about half an hour (round trip).

Please stay on the trail. Parks Canada has been trying to control loss of vegetation and resulting erosion, which has occurred because of people taking short cuts up or down the hill.

Source

[rabbitcruiser]

Gitwangak Battle Hill, BC (No. 1)

Kitwanga or Gitwangak is in the Skeena region of west central British Columbia. Among the Hazelton and Buckley Mountain Ranges, the place is on the north shore of the Skeena River, east of the Kitwanga River confluence. On BC Highway 37, northeast of the junction with BC Highway 16, the locality is by road about 115 kilometres (71 mi) northwest of Smithers, 99 kilometres (62 mi) northeast of Terrace, and 212 kilometres (132 mi) southeast of Stewart. The Gitwangak Band Council governs the First Nations portion. Adjacent to the northeast, the freehold part is an unincorporated community.

Meaning "place of rabbits", Gitwangak was formerly called Kitwanga, with variations such as Gitwangar, Kitwangagh, or Kitwangar.

Source: Wikipedia