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Long journey home for many Nisga'a

THE JOURNEY Home allowed a number of Nisga’a, some of whom haven’t been back to the Nass Valley since being taken away to residential schools as children, the chance to reconnect with their culture late last month.
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EDNA NYCE and Diana Guno share a hug at the Northwest Regional Airport Oct. 1.

THE JOURNEY Home allowed a number of Nisga’a, some of whom haven’t been back to the Nass Valley since being taken away to residential schools as children, the chance to reconnect with their culture late last month.

Celebrations were held at the Kitsumkalum Hall, and in each of the Nass Valley villages: Gingolx, Laxgalts’ap, Gitwinksihlkw and Gitlaxt’aamiks during the week of Sept. 25.

That included music from the Gitwinksihlkw Brass Band.

At the Kitsumkalum event, Terrace mayor Dave Pernarowski gave a speech in which he welcomed the more than 400 Nisga’a travelling to the Nass and acknowledged the absence of some for more than 50 years from the community.

“On behalf of my colleagues on council, I would like to welcome you during your visit to Terrace and to the community of Kitsumkalum and to the Nass Valley on this long, overdue journey home,” he said.

He thanked Chief Don Roberts and organizers for holding the celebration and gave the visitors a bit of detail about the Nass.

“It isn’t just the stunning visual beauty of the valley that makes your traditional territory so incredible. It is the beauty of the people that live in the villages...your warmth and kindness...that makes your communities a beautiful place to be,” he said.

“During your visit you will see that the people of the Nisga’a Nation stand strong and proud.

“I pray this journey will strengthen you, fill you with pride, and leave you with wonderful memories and lasting peace.”