You're not Gitxsan

Our Gitxsan Laws hold deep respect for our mothers; we follow the laws of the matriarch. We belong to our mothers, and there are no exceptions to this truth. If your mother is Gitxsan, then you are Gitxsan. If your mother is not, then you are not Gitxsan. While you may be adopted, that means you have dual citizenship and are welcomed to help and join the responsible house that adopted you.

Being Gitxsan comes with a great deal of responsibility. We do not rely on the Chiefs; instead, we hold our Chiefs up, supporting them so they can be strong when they voice our concerns, our gratitude, and our strengths. 

I urge you to stay true to our laws and not to waver. The Gitxsan people have self-determination as houses, and we must protect that.

It is time to STOP allowing just anyone to claim they are Aboriginal. It’s disheartening to see how those with white skin privilege can leverage their position while Native families struggle and starve. 

Unless you and your Chief and house are willing to adopt non-Gitxsan people and take responsibility for their actions, this practice needs to end. 

We must stand together against socially accepted racism, advocating for our people and ensuring that our identity is respected and protected. Let’s lift our voices and demand that the true essence of being Gitxsan is honored, for our future and the future of our children depend on it. 

#RespectOurIdentity #StandWithGitxsan #EndSociallyAcceptedRacism

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