In 1832, Hudson's Bay Company traders, travelling by longboat up the Nass River, were surprised to see Nisga'a villages complete with "two-story wooden homes, the equal of any in Europe.'

In 1891, we published one of the first newspapers on the West Coast. Called Hagaga, and initially published in the Nisga'a language, it was used as a vehicle for discussing the Land Question.

We have long been active in provincial politics. Nisga'a Tribal Council (NTC) President emeritus Frank Calder was the first native to be elected to a legislature in the British Commonwealth, when he became an MLA in 1949. Larry Guno was an MLA (NDP-Atlin) from 1986 to 1991.

Determined to foster and protect Nisga'a language and culture, we now have jurisdiction over education in School District 92 in the Nass valley. As a result, more than 550 Nisga'a students (from Grade 1 to 12) are enrolled in bicultural and bilingual courses. Two Nisga'a sit on the Northwest Community College Board.

To provide health care in isolated communities, we developed our own health services. The Nisga'a Valley Health Board is made up of representatives from the four villages, plus person elected from non-Nisga'a community. Registered under the Societies Act, the board is responsible for creating and implementing facilities and promoting medical and public health care programs. We built a new diagnostic centre in New Aiyansh and satellite clinics in our other villages. About 25 health care professionals work for the service.

In 1942, in defiance of government policy, the Nisga'a introduced the subject of land rights at Native Brotherhood of B.C. meetings.

A Nisga'a economic development corporation actively promotes meaningful business partnerships -- provided they do not harm the environment.