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Tsimshian Society and Culture
Language
The Tsimshian language family is divided into four dialect groups: Northern
Tsimshian (spoken along the lower Skeena River and the coast
as far as Alaska); Southern Tsimshian (south of the Skeena River, on
the coast); Gitksan (upper Skeena River); and
Nisga'a
(Nass River).
Tribes
At the moment of contact with Europeans, there were ten tribes living
in the Prince Rupert Harbour and Kitselas Canyon. They all originated
on the north coast of British Columbia or in Alaska and followed a
series of migrations that led them to the Prince Rupert Harbour and
the surrounding territories, which they shared. All were independent,
but strategic alliances were often achieved through arranged marriages.
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