From before the time Raven stole the sun and shed light on the world below, the Gitxaal / a people have lived in their territories along the north coast of British Columbia. Gitxaal / a laws (Ayaawk) and history (Adaawk) describe in precise detail the relationships of trust, honor, and respect that are appro- priate for the well-being and continuance of the people and, as important- ly, define the rights of ownership over land, sea, and resources within the territory. However, since the arrival of the first K’mksiwah (European) in Gitxaal / a territory in the late 1700s, new forms of resource extraction and expropriation.
