.png)
ABOUT OUR SOCIETY
The Gitselasu Stewardship Society
At Kitselas Canyon National Historic Site, we are dedicated to preserving the rich history and culture of the Kitselas people.
The Gitselasu Stewardship Society is non-profit organization committed to promoting and showcasing the importance of Kitselas Canyon and providing educational opportunities to share the rich history and culture of the Ts'msyen people.
Sharing Kitselas history through education
In partnership with Kitselas First Nation, the non-profit organization oversees the administration and operations of the Kitselas Canyon National Historic Site and promoting education about the Kitselas people.
Kitselas Canyon is located near the modern-day community of Gitaus, a Sm'algyax name meaning "People of the Sand".
The operation of the historic site not only shares the rich cultural, economic and social importance of this historic site, but preserves the land on which it is located for the benefit of future generations.
What does Kitselas mean?
The name Kitselas is derived from the Sm'algyax name Gitselasu, or Gits'ilaasü, meaning "People of the Canyon". Sm'algyax is the language spoken by the Ts'msyen people. The term Git refers to “the people of” and ts'ilaasü refers to “canyon”.