The visit to the K'san Village was one of the reasons we chose the route that we did through British Columbia. Our guide was charming and very knowledgable, and her family had been connected with the project from the outset. We were able to visit three large buildings with her, and listened to recordings explaining the purpose of the building and the meaning of the artifacts contained within. In addition to that, our guide was very helpful in answering questions. Each building had a small fire burning in the center which took the early September chill out of the air, and added to the atmosphere. The smoke drifted out through a covered smoke hole at the top. The entrance to the museum also contained a well-stocked gift store and a museum with more artifacts and written explanations. Unfortunately for us, the cafe was no longer open. I would also like to have had a separate exhibit on the story of the First Nation people of this village through history up to the present.

This recreated First Nations village was very interesting to provide an insight into the lives of the native people from this region of BC. It is not far from Route 16 and also crosses a beautiful gorge with a 1 lane bridge. After the tour, we were walking back to the car park and were warned that a black bear was chasing their maintenance man about 5 minutes before. (No one was hurt)

We have arrived at the 0ld Hazelton Ksan Village that has for centuries been the home of Gitxsan and Wet’suwet’em First Nation people at the confluence of the Skeena and Bulkley Rivers.
We met our 20 year old tour guide in front of one of the village houses. He explains that we are not permitted to take pictures inside because of the religious significance of the house itself and the items inside. The first great house has a stage where dancers perform for the gathering. Guests are welcome to attend the gathering when they occur. There is no gathering scheduled for the time we are here. He speaks 4 languages, the village language, his grandparent’s language, English and French. Inside is the large sunken open pit with the wood walkway around the walls. Each family sits in a specific area depending upon status. We were seated in the center of the open pit near the fire. The stage is at the far end of the house.
Our guide intends to be a master carver sometime in the next 20 years. He is presently learning how to properly paint a box that may be carved into a sacred item by the master carver. At his present rate he estimates 3 more years of learning how to paint the wood before he will be ready to start carving.
The government leaves the people here to themselves. Those that want to attend school do, and those that don’t, do not attend. The people are free to speak whatever language they choose. There is a clinic for those that wish medical attention by appointment only.
The small house by itself is for the dead. The deceased are brought here before their final journey.
The next long house has a Totem with a small opening as its entrance. Our guide explains the small opening was to ward off evil spirits and persons possessed with evil intentions. He was asked what the totem symbols mean. He said we would have to ask the carver because the carver knows what they mean but he was off today.
I asked why the front has vertical timbers and the sides are horizontal. He guesses it is to save wood.
The house inside is a storeroom for the sacred masks, robes, dresses, animal and spirit apparels. We are shown the items as a recording explains each one and their significance. Some have been handed down over 100 years. Our guide always answered openly and honestly. It is truly an experience that is worth the time and effort.