1 of 4
Parks Canada photos
Gitwangak Battle Hill
2 of 4
Parks Canada photos
Gitwanga
3 of 4
Parks Canada photos
Gitwangak Pole
4 of 4
Parks Canada photos
Touring Battle Hill
Story & photos courtesy Parks Canada
Gitwangak Battle Hill National Historic Site of Canada
Once upon a time, a long time ago, in a land not so very far away, Gitwangak elders tell the story of the fierce warrior chief, 'Nekt, who used Battle Hill as a base to make raids against Nass River and coastal peoples for food, slaves, and control of lucrative trade routes. The Kitwankul Grease Trail, named for the candlefish (eulachon) oil that people packed along the Nass to the Skeena River, passed within sight of Battle Hill.
To defend the Battle Hill's refuge of houses, 'Nekt and his warriors hoisted huge spiked logs up the palisade walls and fastened them with cedar ropes. When the war horn signaled an enemy attack, the logs were rolled down to crush the invaders.
'Nekt wore armour made of a grizzly hide with pieces of slate glued to the inside, and carried a magical club called k'i'laa, "Strike-Only-Once."
Oral history related by the late Fred Johnson, chief Lelt, says 'Nekt was finally defeated when an arrow struck him in the back of his leg. When he fell to the ground, a Nisga'a warrior beheaded him. After 'Nekt's death, peace returned to the area. The Gitwangak people moved to Gitwangak Village, located 6 km to the south on the banks of the Skeena River. At some point the fort burned to the ground.
The totems of Gitwangak, located in this newer village, display crests relating 'Nekt's original flight from Haida Gwaii (the Queen Charlotte Islands), his exploits as a warrior, and his occupation of Battle Hill.
Self Guiding Trail
When you arrive at the site, you'll find parking at a viewpoint overlooking Battle Hill. Three interpretive panels in the parking lot tell the story of the site and entice visitors to learn more by walking the short self-guiding trail. Start by walking down a wooden staircase into the river valley. You'll traverse the base of the hill, stopping to read two more interpretive panels, then ascend another set of stairs leading to the top of this former hill fortress. Benches placed at the summit offer excellent views and a rest after your short exertion. The final two panels reveal more about 'Nekt and Gitwangak history. Return by the same route.
Walking the trail at a leisurely pace and reading all the panels will take about half an hour, round trip.
Please stay on the trail. Parks Canada has been trying to control loss of vegetation and resulting erosion, which has occurred because of people taking short cuts up or down the hill.
Totem Poles of Gitwangak National Historic Site of Canada
To learn more about this First Nation's history, visit Totem Poles of Gitwangak National Historic Site, located at Gitwangak Village, 6 km south of Battle Hill, just before the Skeena River bridge. The totems are visible from Highway 37. There is ample space for large RV's in the village, and no backing up is needed. The poles are owned and managed by the Gitwangak Band.
Following their move from Gitwangak Battle Hill to this village about 1835, members of the Frog-Raven (Ganada), Eagle (Laxskik) and Wolf (Laxgibu) clans commemorated their history in a series of carved house poles. The Fireweed (Gisgast) clan joined the village later. Totem poles continued to be erected at potlatches in this village in spite of federal anti-potlatch laws, from 1874 to 1954. Although the remaining poles have been moved several times to protect them from floods, they represent the oldest collection to be found in their original village context anywhere in British Columbia.