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Since time immemorial, we,
the Nuxalk, maintain our rights and title to our entire traditional
territory and continue to strive to maintain our traditional systems of
governance. We acknowledge our own system of upholding and looking to
our Hereditary Chiefs for guidance and leadership.
 Nuxalk Hereditary Chiefs welcoming home Nuxalk canoe
Every family group, which descended to various regions within Nuxalk Ancestral Territory, has a traditional Hereditary Chief. Hereditary Chiefs are bestowed the responsibility of overseeing the continued utilization of Nuxalk Traditional Laws that have been passed down through hundreds of generations.
Families still carry their names and titles inherent within the Nuxalk Culture, and the Hereditary Chiefs are given the responsibility of maintaining the Smayustas, songs and dances, for each family group. The Hereditary Chief, or Staltmc, has the right to transfer names, songs, dances and stories of their Smayusta.
The Hereditary Chiefs must be the caretakers of these gifts until the time they pass this responsibility to the successive Hereditary Chief during a Potlatch. The protection of the Smayustas requires the protection of the land and water throughout the Nuxalk Territory and therefore the Hereditary Chiefs play a major role in ensuring Nuxalk Territory is treated with respect.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 22 July 2008 )
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