Ksgaxl/Stephens Island Conservancy

Ksgaxl means “Place of Shrub” in the Coast Tsimshian language Sm’algyax. Nine recognized archaeological sites and at least seven named First Nation village sites are within the conservancy. The area has long been used by First Nations for food and ceremonial purposes. Ksgaxl and adjacent areas are still used for harvesting of marine species such as salmon, rockfish, halibut and red sea urchins, and other resources. 

Coast Tsimshian rights to Ksgaxl stem from a history of wars between the Tlingit and Haida going back thousands of years. Ancestors of present-day Coast Tsimshian shed blood to ensure their people could use the area for food gathering. 

Ksgaxl falls within the traditional territory of the Gitwilgyoots, the tribal stewards of the area. In appreciation of the tribes having stood beside them to protect the area, the Gitwilgyoots allocated portions of the islands to other tribes and house groups, such as the Coast Tsimshian, for activities such as harvesting of sea resources, hunting, trapping and camping. 

The islands are important intertidal harvesting area for sam’ k (clams), gaboox (cockles), galmoos and (crabs), hadani (black cod/sablefish), as well as t’ibiin (sealion) and uula (seal) and bilhaa (abalone). Kibaau (seaweed) is particularly important to those who currently camp on the islands. 

Many plants are harvested for medicinal and material purposes. Examples of plants used traditionally include: salmon berries, blueberries, huckleberries, hemlock cambium (inner bark), ha’tal (red cedar bark), wal (yellow cedar), luwi (alder tree), sahakwdak (yew), and wooms (devil’s club). 

For further information please contact:

• Metlakatla Stewardship Office 
  P.O. Box 224 
  Prince Rupert, BC V8J 3P6 
  Phone: 250-628-3201 
  Fax: 250-628-9259
• Lax Kw’alaams Band Office 
  206 Shashaak 
  Port Simpson, BC V0V 1H0 
  Phone: 250-625-3293 
  Fax: 250-625-3246
• Gitxaala First Nation 
  PO Box 149 
  Kitkatla, BC V0V 1C0 
  Phone: 250-848-2214 
  Fax: 250-848-2238

Ksgaxl protects a biologically diverse mix of marine and terrestrial ecosystems including numerous small islands and two moderate size islands, Stephens and Prescott. The terrestrial portions of these islands are important for marine mammal and bird nesting habitat, while the shallow waters around them support diverse marine plants and animals.

Terrestrial mammals in the conservancy include wolves, black-tailed deer, and a number of small fur-bearing animals. Marine mammals that use the area include killer whales (red-listed), humpback whales (blue-listed), Stellar sea lions (blue-listed), Pacific white-sided dolphins, harbour seals, and porpoises. Sea otters (blue-listed) have recently been reported from the Triple Island in the northern part of the conservancy and nearby Rachael Island, though it is unknown whether they are breeding in the area.