Emma Nelson (née Starr)
Emma Nelson | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Emma Nelson. | |
| Born | Emma Starr 1854 |
| Died | June 27, 1959 |
| Spouse | Charles Nelson |
| Children | 9 |
Emma Nelson (née Starr; 1854 – June 27, 1959) was a matriarch of the Gisbutwada (Killer Whale) house of the Kitsumkalum Tribe of the Tsimshian Nation, in British Columbia, Canada.[1][2][3][4][5] She contributed significantly to the development of the Terrace, British Columbia area.[3]
Early life
[edit]Emma Nelson was born in Port Simpson (Lax Kw’alaams), British Columbia, in 1854.[1][3][4][5] She belonged to the Gisbutwada clan and was a highly respected matriarch in her community.[1][3][4][5]
Family Life
[edit]Emma married Charles Nelson, Chief of the Ganhada (Raven) house of the Kitsumkalum Tribe, and together they raised nine children: Grace, Cecilia, Elizabeth, Josephine, Miriam, Gordon, Charlie Jr., Billy, and Dave.[1] The Nelson family was among the few Indigenous families remaining in the area when European settlers began arriving in the early 20th century.[1][6]
Role in the Community
[edit]Emma Nelson worked in local salmon canneries during the fishing season, contributing to her family's livelihood.[1] She was known for her efforts to gather and prepare food for the winter, including smoking and drying salmon, trapping, and berry picking.[1]
After the death of her husband in 1930, Emma worked as a housekeeper in Terrace.[1]
Contributions and Legacy
[edit]Emma and her husband were instrumental in aiding early European settlers, providing food, hospitality, and local knowledge.[3][4][5][7][8][9] They operated a general store in Kitsumkalum, helping to establish the Terrace area as a growing settlement.[3][4][5][10] Despite their significant contributions, their roles have often been overlooked in traditional settler histories.[3][4][5][8]
Emma lived to the age of 105, and died in Terrace on June 27, 1959.[1]
Recognition
[edit]In May 2024, the Grand Trunk Pathway in Terrace was renamed the Xpilaxha – Charles and Emma Nelson Trail in honour of Emma and her husband's contributions to the community.[2][3][5][8][11][12][13][14] The renaming was part of reconciliation efforts acknowledging Indigenous histories and their foundational roles in the region's development.[3][5][8][11][12][13]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i Moen, Yvonne Marie. "Kisumkalum People: Emma and Charles Nelson". www.terracelibrary.ca. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
- ^ a b Link, Rod (2023-07-05). "Terrace city council backs bid to rename Grand Trunk Pathway". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Grand Trunk Pathway Renamed Xpilaxha Trail". www.terrace.ca. 2024-06-25. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
- ^ a b c d e f Wiebe, Kelsey (2015-06-17). "There's far more to Terrace's history than white men". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Bujtas, Sean (2024-05-31). "Sean Bujtas on LinkedIn: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Xpilaxha Nelson Trail ⭐️⭐️⭐️". www.linkedin.com. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
- ^ "Declaration History". www.kitsumkalum.com. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
- ^ 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 2024-12-08
- ^ a b c d Link, Rod (2024-06-08). "Trail renaming honours Tshimshian couple". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
- ^ "Kitsumkalum Territory" (PDF). Doug Gent's History Pages. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
- ^ 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 2024-12-08.
- ^ a b Spencer, Sabrina (2024-05-31). "Xpilaxha-Charles & Emma Nelson Trail: Bridging Communities and Honoring Heritage". CFNR Network. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
- ^ a b Link, Rod (2024-11-27). "Terrace begins crafting new Indigenous names policy". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
- ^ a b Spencer, Sabrina (2024-11-27). "Terrace to Develop Indigenous Naming Policy for Streets, Parks, and Facilities". CFNR Network. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
- ^ Spencer, Sabrina (2024-10-03). "Second Xpilaxha Trail Sign Installed". CFNR Network. Retrieved 2024-12-08.