Ksi X'anmaas Conservancy

Ksi X’anmaas Conservancy area has a long history of use by First Nations groups. The Conservancy is within the asserted traditional territories of the Nisga’a and Coast Tsimshian. The area was important for fishing, hunting, and food gathering. 

Nisga’a name for the entire Kwinamass watershed is X’anmas; the watercourse is Ksi X’anmas [Ksi, in the context of geographical names, refers to “water flowing out from someplace.” 

Ksi X’anmas means “water of where it is red.” X’anmas is the place where mis’aws (red ochre) was found. The X’anmas territory was rich in fur-bearing animals, seafoods, salmon and other food resources and is the reason there were several smokehouses and longhouses here at one time. 

For further information please contact:

• Nisga’a Lsims Government 
  PO Box 231, 2000 Lisims Drive 
  Gitlaxt’aamiks (formerly New Aiyansh), British Columbia Canada, V0J 1A0 
  Phone: 250-633-3000 
  Fax: 250-633-2367 
  Toll Free: 1-866-633-0888
• Metlakatla Stewardship Office 
  P.O. Box 224 
  Prince Rupert, BC V8J 3P6 
  Phone: 250-628-3201 
  Fax: 250-628-9259
• Lax Kw’alaams Band Office 
  206 Shashaak 
  Port Simpson, BC V0V 1H0 
  Phone: 250-625-3293 
  Fax: 250-625-3246

Ksi X’anmaas Conservancy was identified for conservancy status during negotiations between the provincial government and First Nations governments following the North Coast Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP). The conservancy was designated in the spring of 2008.

The conservancy protects a diversity of fish and wildlife habitats including marine intertidal areas, streams, estuaries, wetlands, forests and salmon spawning habitats. The inlet is adjacent to Khutzeymateen/K’tzim-a-deen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary (44,300 hectares) and protects important grizzly bear habitat.

Grizzlies, black bears, wolves, waterfowl, eagles, spawning salmon and the occasional deer can be seen in the conservancy. Humpback whales, killer whales, Dall’s porpoises, Pacific white-sided dolphins, sea lions and harbour seals can also be seen in the adjacent marine waters.