The Eagle Mother by Brett D. Huson

Author:Brett D. Huson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Portage & Main Press

1

Nitrogen is a chemical element found in all

living things. It is an important fertilizer for the

Xsan ecosystem.

2

An ecosystem is a community of living things

together with their environment.

THE GITXSAN

The Gitxsan Nation are Indigenous peoples from unceded territories

in the Northwest Interior of British Columbia. This 35,000 square

kilometres of land cradles the headwaters of Xsan or “the River

of Mist,” also known by its colonial name, the Skeena River. The

land defines who they are.

The Nation follows a matrilineal line, and all rights,

privileges, names, and stories come from the mothers.

Lax Seel (Frog), Lax Gibuu (Wolf), Lax Skiik (Eagle), and

Gisghaast (Fireweed) are the four clans of the people. It

is taboo to marry a fellow clan member, even when there

are no blood ties.

The four clans are divided among the territories by way of the Wilp

system. A Wilp, or “house group,” is a group comprising one or more

families. Each Wilp has a head chief and wing chiefs, who are guided by

Elders and members of their Wilp. Currently, there are 62 house groups,

and each governs their portion of the Gitxsan Territories.

THE GITXSAN MOONS

K’uholxs

Stories and Feasting Moon

January

Lasa hu’mal

Cracking Cottonwood and Opening

February

Trails Moon

Wihlaxs

Black Bear’s Walking Moon

March

Lasa ya’a

Spring Salmon’s Returning

April

Home Moon

Lasa ‘yanja

Budding Trees and Blooming

May

Flowers Moon

Lasa maa’y

Gathering and Preparing

June

Berries Moon

Lasa ‘wiihun

Fisherman’s Moon

July

Lasa lik’i’nxsw

Grizzly Bear’s Moon

August

Lasa gangwiikw

Groundhog Hunting Moon

September

Lasa xsin laaxw

Catching-Lots-of-Trout Moon

October

Lasa gwineekxw

Getting-Used-to-Cold Moon

November

Lasa ‘wiigwineekxw

Severe Snowstorms and Sharp

December

or Lasa gunkw’ ats

Cold Moon

Ax wa

Shaman’s Moon

a blue moon, which is a second

full moon in a single month

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