Culture & History
The area has a long history. The Haisla of the region have the longest, having occupied the land here for many centuries. Explorers, trappers, prospectors, homesteaders, adventurers, and missionaries all came through the last 150 years, and met with a mixture of struggle and success. Their stories combined represent a shared history that is echoed across BC and yet, a unique one to the valley area. Many came during the Kitamaat Methodist Mission years, staying for a few years then moving on. The valley area saw its share of families working on their homesteads, men prospecting and trapping up numerous creeks and mountain valleys, and speculating on the land during the years when the western terminus for the Grand Trunk Railway line was being decided.
- Haisla Nation
The Haisla people are Gitamaat and Henaksiala (or Gitlope), closely related neighbouring groups who speak the same language. The groups amalgamated by 1949 at Kitamaat Village. Kitamaat Village is welcoming to visitors and there is lots to see.
- Kitimat Project History
Kitimat was the place to be in North America in the 1950s, both for the new town plan and for the pioneer engineering of the time. Kitimat would be designed for the worker and his family. The fulfillment of people’s needs as the focus of a town plan was considered revolutionary.
- Multiculturalism
Between 1954 and 1956, Alcan’s work force was mainly recent immigrants to Canada. People were from many countries, all in the same situation – adapting to a new language, and a new way of life in the brand new town of Kitimat.
