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Charles Nelson (Tsimshian chief)

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Charles Nelson
Xpilaxha
Charles Nelson.
PronunciationSPEE-la-haa
Born1868
Died(1930-03-19)March 19, 1930
Terrace, British Columbia
Known forIndigenous rights activism
SpouseEmma Nelson
Children9

Charles Nelson (1868 – March 19, 1930) was a Chief of the Ganhada (Raven) house of the Kitsumkalum Tribe of the Tsimshian Nation, located in British Columbia, Canada.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] His traditional name, Xpilaxha, roughly translates to “halfway to heaven.”[8][9] Nelson and his wife, Emma Nelson, played a prominent role in the early history of the Terrace, British Columbia area.[8][9][10][11]

Early life and family

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Charles Nelson was born in the mid-19th century, in 1868, and became a notable figure among the Kitsumkalum people.[12] He married Emma Nelson (née Starr), who held a high name within the Gisbutwada (Killer Whale) house of the Kitsumkalum.[1][2][3] Together, they raised nine children: Grace, Cecilia, Elizabeth, Josephine, Miriam, Gordon, Charlie Jr., Billy, and Dave.[13]

Contributions and legacy

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Charles and Emma Nelson were integral to the development of the Terrace area during the early 20th century.[5] They provided food, hospitality, and local knowledge to European settlers.[1][2][3][7][8][14] The couple operated a general store at Kitsumkalum and supported local economic development, including investing in George Little's sawmill, a foundational industry for Terrace.[1][2][3][15] Despite their contributions, historical narratives often understate their role in the region's development.[1][2][3][8]

Nelson was also an advocate for Indigenous rights.[12] In 1915, he appeared before the McKenna-McBride Royal Commission, demanding land rights for his people.[16] He argued for ownership and autonomy, challenging the restrictive policies of the Indian Act.[5][16]

Injury and death

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Nelson sustained severe injuries in a railway accident during a snowstorm when his dogsled was struck by a Grand Trunk Pacific Railway snowplow.[1][3][8][11] This accident left him disabled.[1][3][8][11]

He died on March 19, 1930, at the age of 62.[4][11][13]

Recognition

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In May 2024, the Grand Trunk Pathway in Terrace was renamed the Xpilaxha – Charles and Emma Nelson Trail in honour of the couple's contributions to the region.[1][3][8][17][9][10][18] The renaming ceremony was part of broader reconciliation efforts, recognizing the Tsimshian Nation's history and contributions.[1][3][8][17][9][10]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Grand Trunk Pathway Renamed Xpilaxha Trail". www.terrace.ca. 2024-06-25. Retrieved 2024-12-07.
  2. ^ a b c d e Wiebe, Kelsey (2015-06-17). "There's far more to Terrace's history than white men". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-12-07.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Bujtas, Sean (2024-05-31). "Sean Bujtas on LinkedIn: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Xpilaxha Nelson Trail ⭐️⭐️⭐️". www.linkedin.com. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
  4. ^ a b McDonald, James A. (1990). "POLES, POTLATCHING, AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS: The Use of Aboriginal Culture in Development". Culture. 10 (2): 103–120. doi:10.7202/1081343ar. ISSN 0229-009X.
  5. ^ a b c "Declaration History". www.kitsumkalum.com. Retrieved 2024-12-07.
  6. ^ Guernsey, Brenda (2009). Un-Layering Landscapes: A Post-Colonial Critique of "Wilderness" in Tsimshian Territory, Northern British Columbia. University of Northern British Columbia. doi:10.24124/2009/bpgub562. ISBN 978-0-494-48767-9.
  7. ^ a b McDonald, James (2011-12-01), Deur, Douglas E.; Turner, Nancy J. (eds.), "9. Cultivating in the Northwest: Early Accounts of Tsimshian Horticulture", Keeping It Living: Traditions of Plant Use and Cultivation on the Northwest Coast of North America, University of Washington Press, pp. 240–273, doi:10.1515/9780295801100-010, ISBN 978-0-295-80110-0, retrieved 2024-12-07
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h Link, Rod (2024-06-08). "Trail renaming honours Tshimshian couple". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-12-07.
  9. ^ a b c d Link, Rod (2024-11-27). "Terrace begins crafting new Indigenous names policy". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-12-07.
  10. ^ a b c Spencer, Sabrina (2024-11-27). "Terrace to Develop Indigenous Naming Policy for Streets, Parks, and Facilities". CFNR Network. Retrieved 2024-12-07.
  11. ^ a b c d Link, Rod (2023-07-05). "Terrace city council backs bid to rename Grand Trunk Pathway". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-12-07.
  12. ^ a b Link, Rod (2024-09-26). "Late Kitsumkalum chief councillor honoured with settlement feast". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-12-07.
  13. ^ a b Moen, Yvonne Marie. "Kitsumgallum People: Emma and Charles Nelson". www.terracelibrary.ca. Retrieved 2024-12-07.
  14. ^ "Kitsumkalum Territory" (PDF). Doug Gent's History Pages. Retrieved 2024-12-07.
  15. ^ McDonald, James A. (1990). "Bleeding Day and Night: The Construction of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway Across Tsimshian Reserve Lands" (PDF). www.cjns.brandonu.ca. Retrieved 2024-12-07.
  16. ^ a b McGowan, Katharine A. (2010-08-24). ""Until We Receive Just Treatment": The Fight Against Conscription at the Naas Agency and British Columbia, 1917-1918". BC Studies: The British Columbian Quarterly (167): 47–70. doi:10.14288/bcs.v0i167.576. ISSN 0005-2949.
  17. ^ a b Spencer, Sabrina. "Xpilaxha-Charles & Emma Nelson Trail: Bridging Communities and Honoring Heritage". CFNR Network. Retrieved 2024-12-07.
  18. ^ Spencer, Sabrina (2024-10-03). "Second Xpilaxha Trail Sign Installed". CFNR Network. Retrieved 2024-12-07.
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