I am not Indian. I am Gitxsan
I belong to a territory, I am Gitxsan
Like my ancestors before me.
Before contact with people from other lands, We are Gitxsan
I do not know this word Indian
Maybe the word is from faraway lands
Maybe they will be proud to be called Indians
Like I am proud to be called Gitxsan
This land is Gitxsan, She cares for her people
We are Gitxsan
Who are these new people
That accept that title of Indian
From someone far away that doesn’t see,That they are Gitxsan
Their territory is 1 mile by 1 mile , They live by their territorial rules
Given to them by eyes that do not see
That they were once a proud nation
Of Gitxsan
Give me a card that says, I am Gitxsan
And I will be happy
Let my children of mixed blood Also be happy to be
Gitxsan
It is not for your unseeing eyes or uncaring heart to say
Who in my family is, Gitxsan It is in their hearts to be Gitxsan
Gitxsan is not just a word
It is the land, the people, the language, the animals and the spirits
I stand proudly beside the Hopi, the Apache, the Sioux, the Cree, and all other nations labelled Indian.
I am Gitxsan.
Wogalwil
Edward Green