an attempt to explain some of the Death Feast

1. Gitxsan Community
Gitxsan Death Potlatch Ceremony
Created by
Fireweed Tribe: Chief Woo sim lax ha’ Peggy Morgan,
and Ugh de’ wil gal um Stephanie Morgan;
Frog Tribe: Chief Gaakx Verny Morgan

2. Laws of Matriarch
We follow our mothers
Mirriam Webster Dictionary
“Main Entry: ma·tri·ar·chy
– Pronunciation: ˈmā-trē-ˌär-kē
– Function: noun
– Inflected Form(s): plural ma·tri·ar·chies
– Date: 1885
– 1 : a family, group, or state governed by a matriarch
– 2 : a system of social organization in which descent and inheritance are traced
through the female line”

3. What we will cover
 Who is responsible for the loved on who
passes away? Tribes, House (Clans),
Crests
 Day 1: The Coming Home Ceremony
 Day 2 : Smoke Feast/potlatch
 Day 3: Memorial gathering
 Day 4: Funeral and Main Potlatch
 After one year: Stone Feast/potlatch

4. Our Ancestors
 Our belief is god is with us and god is in us,
everything is sacred in all that we do, our spirit
speaks to all other spirits respectfully
 Everything is done with the involvement of the
ancestors and the creator
 Everything aboriginal people do begins with and
ends with prayer
 We call the ancestors into our meeting to do
everything in a good way and with all respect
 then end in prayer of thanks and to end with
goodness

5. House Responsiblity
 When a person dies, it is that persons
house and tribes responsibility to look
after the departed loved one.
 They are either cremated or buried.
 The Gitxsan follow the laws of matriarch;
we respectfully follow our mothers. If your
mother is in the Fireweed Tribe then so
are you.

6. Father Tribe
 My father Chief Gaakl is from the Frog Tribe
 Workers are chosen from the Father Tribe:
– Book Keepers keep track of everything that is contributed, from
time of death to beginning of Stone Feast/Potlatch which is a year
later
– Labourers hired to help with moving coffin and other ceremonial
tasks
 All but the hosting tribe are paid at the Main Potlatch Feast and Stone
Potlatch Feast;
– Gratitude Payments are made for working, supporting, and
contributing
 The Death Ceremony usually lasts about 4 days

7. Day 1: The Coming Home
Ceremony
 One of father tribe brings the body home from the morgue
– Family and loved ones follow in their vehicles from the funeral home to
the place where the body will rest, Sometimes for hundreds of miles.
– The body is watched all day and all night by hired security guards, they
are not to sleep while on watch and have a rotating schedule.
– The community gathers for viewing and a welcoming home, which the
chiefs from all over the Gitxsan territory will speak.
 Food and refreshments are brought from all other tribes.
 The body is then be moved to someone’s home where the watch
will continue.
– Food is brought around the clock
– coffee, tea and beverages are kept on for visitors at all hours
– Everyone is welcome at any time

8. Day 2 : Smoke Feast/potlatch
 The smoke feast is when the chiefs gather to announce how the
house will proceed;
– The house chiefs meet throughout the whole process discussing
How much will be paid by who, what problems arise, who should
do what
– The body is not brought to the hall.
– Very few tribe member attend, only those who will distribute
word to the tribe members.
– Food is brought by all other tribes.
– Chief of the house announces who
the workers will be, times and places of
gatherings, where the grave will be etc.

9. Day 3: Memorial gathering
 The community gathers
– the coffin is brought in to the hall
– All other tribes bring food
– The houses from each tribe take turns
speaking and singing to the grieving family
– At the end of gathering the coffin is brought
back to the house for watch.

10. Day 4: Funeral and Main Potlatch
 After the ashes are laid, or coffin is buried and all good byes and
prayers are done we proceed to the hall for the Main Potlatch.
 This Potlatch is a place for Gitxsan legal proceedings;
– Community come to witness the proceedings
– All other Gitxsan tribes gather to witness the collection of
money, how much was contributed, how much was paid to the
workers, making sure all is correct
– The Hosting House provides the meals and pays for everything
– The father tribe of the deceased are honored;
 the workers and contributors from
the other tribes are paid in clothing,
blankets, other goods, and money

11. After one year: Stone Feast
Potlatch (Settlement Feast)
 this is when the head stone is put up at the grave site,
and all other expenses are settled.
 The Hosting House brings the food and pays for
everything.