By Matt Simmons, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Narwhal Wearing regalia bearing the raven crests of his mother\u2019s clan, S\u2019mooygyet (Chief) Algax\u2019m Hax, Murray Smith, of the Gitwilgyoots Tribe, shared where he comes from. Sharing his lineage is a necessary precursor to welcoming visitors to his lands, he explained. \u201cWhen I get up here to speak, I have to tell you who I really am,\u201d he told a group gathered in Prince Rupert, B.C., earlier this month. \u201cMy grandfather is Haida. My mother\u2019s mother was Ts\u2019msyen from Lax Kw\u2019alaams.\u201d \u201cThere\u2019s a word in my language called sg\u0331an,\u201d he continued. \u201cSg\u0331an is a welcome mat made out of cedar and they place it at the bow of a canoe. When the Chief steps off, he doesn\u2019t step on the ground, he… <\/p>\n
By Matt Simmons, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Narwhal Wearing regalia bearing the raven crests of his mother\u2019s clan, S\u2019mooygyet (Chief) Algax\u2019m Hax, Murray Smith, of the Gitwilgyoots Tribe, shared where he comes from. Sharing his lineage is a necessary precursor to welcoming visitors to his lands, he explained. \u201cWhen I get up here to speak, I have to tell you who I really am,\u201d he told a group gathered in Prince Rupert, B.C., earlier this month. \u201cMy grandfather is Haida. My mother\u2019s mother was Ts\u2019msyen from Lax Kw\u2019alaams.\u201d \u201cThere\u2019s a word in my language called sg\u0331an,\u201d he continued. \u201cSg\u0331an is a welcome mat made out of cedar and they place it at the bow of a canoe. When the Chief steps off, he doesn\u2019t step on the ground, he... <\/p>\n