Preserving Cultural Identity: 'Gitxsan And Witsuwit'

Harshkumar Patel

Anthro 270

Assignment #3

1. Cultural identity is very important for us humans to evolve as a community. Preserving of this cultural identity can prove to be a very complex process and many factors have to be kept in mind while discussing this topic. One way of preserving cultural identity is by potlatching. Pot latching is when groups of people feast as a part ceremony and also exchange gifts. The Gitxsan and the Witsuwit’en are two tribes who have lived as neighbors since a very long time ago. Like good neighbors they have had good relations with each other as they intermarry and trade goods. Considering their involvement with each other, they both speak different languages which are not related to each other. The Gitxsan

For both the head and the wing chiefs take care of the fishing sites and resource sites, both of the tribes are matrilineal which means that one has to marry outside of the clan and so the father and spouse play very important roles in one’s life. For both the tribes the territories are discussed over potlatches. Hence, making potlatches the very structure of their politics. During these potlatches they can have dispute resolution, empowerment of a certain house or clan, announcements of titles and much more. Also, when a chief dies these potlatches are held to announce the successor. The Gitxsan have many more clans with in it and the Witsuwit’en can make a link by

They both fish for salmon. Their partnership is very traditional in which they share and trade the resources that they harvest. Their economy also includes, fur trade and hunting and gathering from the animals in their lands. They make certain wearables like clothes and rings and other accessories which they trade with each other. As time passed their economy became more commercial as they expanded into commercial fur trade and fishing. Although they moved to more of a commercial trade, their subsistence is still provided by resources found on their territories and harvesting for salmon. Religiously, both the Gitxsan and the Witsuwit’en, were based on the idea that all forms of life possess spirit and that spirit must be celebrated. Their ceremonies involve respecting all life-forms and honoring them. In Bill Fee’s article “Gitxsan Wet’suwet’en education society holds graduation in Hazelton” we can see how far the tribe has come after all the suppression. These two tribes are still in continuance of their potlatch and are moving forward with their ways of life while trying to hybridize to a completely new way of