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Tsimshian Society and Culture
Trade
Trade Routes
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The village of Git'ilaasu, strategically located at Kitselas Canyon
to control canoe traffic on the Upper Skeena River.
(Gordon Miller, 1983)
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Ocean trade routes were open to everyone, but inland trade routes
were controlled by those who owned the territories near the waterways.
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Goods being transported by canoe, ca. 1898.
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I am now planning to have a picture of myself painted in some prominent
place, together with all my copper shields. This must be a spot where
all canoes pass and see.
Head Chief Legaic, ca. 1860
Legaic's face and copper shields
were painted at the mouths of
both the Nass and Skeena rivers to proclaim his absolute trading
monopoly, which all Tsimshian tribes, as well as the Hudson's Bay
Company, had to acknowledge through tribute payments.
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