Gitksan Wet'suwet'en Education Society

In 1982, the Tribal Council initiated the formation of the Gitksan Carrier Education Society, now known as the Gitksan Wet’suwet’en Education Society. The Education logog21Society formed for two main reasons: Firstly, Revenue Canada would not grant the Tribal Council non-profit or charitable status because of the political nature. Secondly, the Society, as its initial mandate was to deliver a four-year Native Teacher Education Degree Program in Hazelton with the long term of having half of the teaching positions in Hazelton filled by Gitksan and Wet’suwet’en people by the year 2000. The Gitksan Wet’suwet’en Education Society was incorporated as a non-profit, charitable status society on October 27, 1982; and is also a registered institute with the Private Post Secondary Education Commission of British Columbia.

The critical mandate for the Gitksan Wet’suwet’en Education Society was to reduce the demand on the Tribal Council for community services, so that the Tribal Council could concentrate on the constitutional talks, comprehensive claims and litigating the title action.

The Education Society is committed to working towards the Vision Statement by promoting, facilitating and organizing education, training, self-reliance and meaningful employment. As well the Society is committed to participate in the design and development of universal programs such as Education, Social Services, Health and Child Welfare to reflect the Gitksan and Wet’suwet’en principles expressed in the vision statement.


The Education Society also took over a number of programs from the Tribal Council such as the Alternate School, Hazelton Youth Centre, Child Care Services, Traditional Medicine, Medical and Mental Health Services, Community Awareness and Preventions Services (CAPS) and the Employment Services Office. Over the years the Education Society has sponsored innovative programs such as the Fisheries Technician Training Program, Carpentry Apprenticeship Training, Addictions Resource Worker Training, Gitksan and Wet’suwet’en School of Journalism, NITEP, Territory Management Training Program, Life Skills Training, Classroom Aide Training, Native Adult Instructor Diploma, Unlocking Aboriginal Justice (UAJ), Tribal Police, Reconnections, Gisegaas Youth Survival Cultural Camp, SMILES Summer Decamps, SMILES HeadStart, Community Operations & Maintenance Training, Associates Art Degree Program.

From its first success, the Education Society broadened its interests and mandate to address a variety of projects and programs to meet the needs within the area including those of non-Gitksan and Wet’suwet’en people.