The x̄á’isla, also known as the Haisla, are the Indigenous people of Kitamaat Village and the surrounding lands and waters of the Kitimat region in British Columbia. Since time immemorial, the x̄á’isla have lived on their unceded territory, sustaining themselves through fishing, hunting, and trade. A key part of their economy and diet has been the harvesting and processing of oolichan (záxʷen), a fish rich in oil that was historically a major trade item. The name x̄á’isla means “river mouth dwellers” or “downstream dwellers” and refers to one of 19 seasonal camp locations within their traditional territory.
An Aerial Shot of Kitamaat Village
Population and Place Names
Today, approximately 700 x̄á’isla reside in c̓imáuc̓a, while the broader x̄á’isla population of about 1,900 extends to Kitimat town, Terrace, Vancouver, and beyond. In xa’islakala, the term c̓imáus means "stumps," and c̓imáuc̓a translates to "the place where the stumps or logs get caught on the beach." The name "Kitamaat" originates from the Tsimshian people, who once traveled to trade with the x̄á’isla. According to oral history, they encountered such deep snow that only the tops of people’s heads were visible as they moved through the trails. They called the area “Gitamaat,” meaning “people of the snow.” When Europeans arrived, they misheard the name, replacing the “g” with a “k,” leading to the name Kitamaat Village. Later, when the nearby town was established, officials altered the spelling further to “Kitimat.”
