Introduction
Visitors to the Hazeltons, a collection of three small towns (Old Hazelton, New Hazelton and South Hazelton), in northwestern British Columbia come to admire two of our wonderful tourist attractions: the Hagwilget Canyon suspension bridge and the 'Ksan Indian Village and Museum. The Hagwilget canyon is the dividing line between the Wet'suwet'en (New Hazelton) and Gitxsan (Hazelton) territories.
Map of the Gitxsan and Wet'suwet'en Territories
The Gitxsan are part of the Tsimshian language family and the Wet'suwet'en are part of the Carrier language family. Living in the northwest, especially on the Skeena and Bulkley Rivers, provides the Gitxsan and Wet'suwet'en with an abundance of food: salmon, trout, wild game such as grouse, rabbit, deer and moose, as well as a multitude of wild plants, herbs and berries.
In this web site, we look at the various ways the Gitxsan and Wet'suwet'en traditionally and continually use the wide assortment of plants available here in the northwest. The types of uses have been divided into three categories: food-related, technical and medicinal.
This web site offers only a small glimpse into the lives, past and present, of our native peoples. We hope you enjoy the interesting facts and photos contained within and hope it encourages further study into their fascinating culture.
