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