Tribute to Gitxsan Singers

I would like to pay special tribute to some of the Great Gitxsan Singers that come from Hazelton and Kispiox. My late grandmother, Amelia shared wonderful stories about these people telling how great their talent was! Their names are as follows: Mary Johnson, Jonathan Johnson, Moses Morrison, Phillip Crosby, and Mary Blackwater. I may have left some singers out; but unintentionally. I want to thank them for sharing their songs and heritage with us.

Awards / Achievements of Gitxsan Woman Singer

CBC Radio Station (Sang clear across Canada, Aug 1969)

Terrace, British Columbia, Canada (Pacific Northwest Music Festival,
Gala Night, 1980)

Memorable Moments of Gitxsan Woman Singer

There are many events I have sang at and they include the following: Annunication School, Prince Rupert, B.C. Canada (the First Salmon Festival), Panguich, Utah (Elementary Schools), Panguich, Utah (Relief Society-Cultural Night), Ketchikan, Alaska (Relief Society Anniversary), Prince Rupert, B.C. Canada, Fisherman's Hall (Salmon Festival), Terrace Branch, B.C. Canada ( Lamanite Fireside), Terrace, B. C. Canada (Pacific Northwest Musical Festival), Terrace, B.C. Canada ( Elders Spring Luncheon), Terrace, B.C. Canada ( Northwest Women's Festival), Terrace, B. C. Canada (African Famine Fundraiser), Brigham Young University (Performing for Classes on Campus), Lakeridge Junior High, Utah (Performing for Music Classes), Mountain View High School, Utah ( Title XI Program), LDS Church, Orem, Utah (Old Fashioned Country Fair) Brigham Young University (Pow-Wow Celebration), LDS Church, Orem, Utah (Culture Around the World) I am very thankful for the oppotunities to perform for these events! It has given me experience to sing and to share my Culture with others.

The Mission of my Blog

We all have journeys in Life. For me my journey has being a good one so far. I have had great people before me.....my parents, my grandparents , relatives, and wonderful people I have met along the way. These people have influenced me in some way or another. I hope that I can pass some things on.....and be led by the Great Spirit to do his will! I hope that through this blog I can learn more about myself; and learn new things about the Gitksan Language and Culture. I believe there are always new things to learn.It's just that we run out of time!! If you are Gitksan or Non-Gitksan and visiting my Blog please tell me something about you. Hopefully this Blog will enrich my life, your life, and others spirtually, intellectually, and emotionally. Happy Blogging everyone!!!

How I Became a Gitxsan/Gitksan Woman Singer

First of all.......I was born into a Gitksan Family! I was blessed as a child to learn the Language of my people. My grandparents always spoke their language around me; so I basically started speaking it at a young age. I thought it was great to be able to converse with my grandparents in their tongue and earn their respect! The Language I think is beautiful......for others to learn it --it may seem difficult! All in all....I'm a lucky girl to have learned and to be able to speak the Language! One day in the Summer of 1969, my grandmother was asked if she was able to sing her songs by a very famous First Nation Man. She said, "Yes". Now she was asked to teach me a song or two, so I could sing for the First Salmon Festival they had in Prince Rupert, B.C. Canada. So my grandmother taught me the songs......and the rest is History....as they Say! I've had the wonderful privilege of singing these songs for a long time now! That is how the Gitksan Woman Singer came to be! I will talk to you tomorrow when the Sun shall Rise again!!!

Gitksan/Gitxsan Woman Singer