First Nations
The Name Wet'suwet'en (or Witsuwet'en) can be roughly translated as "People of the lower hills". The Wet'suwet'en Nation are from the linguistic Athapaskan family. Their territory surrounds the Bulkley River in the northern interior of British Columbia.The Wet'suwet'en Nation 's territory extends from the village of Hagwilget in the New Hazelton area 
in the west to Burns Lake in the east. From Moricetown in the north it stretches to Ootsa Lake area in the South. Within this expansive territory there six Wet'suwet'en communities--Hagwilget, Moricetown, Broman Lake, Burns Lake, Skin Tyee and Nee Tahi Buhn and the communities of Smithers, Telkwa, Houston and Burns Lake (not necessarily politically affiliated with the Wet'suwet'en Nation office).
Central to the Wet'suwet'en culture is their traditional system of governance based upon our five clans; Gitdumden (Wolf), Laksamishyu (Fireweed), Tsayu (Beaver), Gilseyhyu (Big Frog) and Laksilyu (Small Frog). Every clan is divided into houses, each comprising of a sort of extended family. There are thirteen Wet'suwet'en houses. Each house has a hereditary chief (the Chief's name is passed on in the line for perpetuity). Usually there are Wing Chiefs (Sub Chiefs) for each House as well.
Every Wet'suwet'en individual is born in a Clan and a House base on matrilineal descent (i.e. through the mother's heritage). The entire Wet'suwet'en system is based upon mutual support and long term relationships. There is currently 5000 Wet'suwet'en members throughout the territory and away from home. For information visit the Office of the Wet'suwet'en.
