The Hazeltons
The Hazeltons, there are three — Old Hazelton, New Hazelton and South Hazelton — are situated amidst a majestic landscape dominated by the 3000-foot walls of the Rocher de Boule Mountain range. Named after the hazel bushes which paint the river carved terraces, the Hazelton area is known as the Totem Capital of the World.
Old Hazelton is located where the Bulkley and Skeena Rivers meet and is the site of the original Gitsan and Wet’suwet’en villages. Adjacent to the town is the site of the Ksan Historical Village and Museum. Hazelton was the upriver terminus for the sternwheeler riverboats that provided early transportation into the interior of northern BC.
Population 362
| Contacts | www.village.hazelton.bc.ca info@village.hazelton.bc.ca |
New Hazelton is located 140km east of Terrace on Highway 16. New Hazelton is the largest community in the area and was developed in the early 1900’s as the regional stop of the Grand Trunk and Pacific Railway. New Hazelton is now the largest of the communities primarily due to its location on Highway 16.
Population 750
| Contacts | www.newhazelton.ca info@newhazelton.ca |
South Hazelton is an unincorporated community on the south bank of the Skeena River just west of New Hazelton.
Population 499
Gitanmaax is a first nations community adjacent to the village of Hazelton at the confluence of the Bulkley and Skeena Rivers. The Gitanmaax Band operates the Ksan Campground near the Ksan Historical Village, Tri-City Theatre, Gitanmaax Community Hall and Gitanmaax Food and Fuel.
Population 723
| Contacts | www.gitanmaax.com info@gitanmaax.com |
Kispiox is a Gitxsan community located at the junction of the Kispiox and Skeena rivers 15 km up river from Hazelton. It is known as “People of the Hiding Place and is estimated to be approximately 3000 years old. The totem poles, both old and new, in the village are a famous landmark of the village.
Population 650
| Contacts | www.kispioxadventures.com |
Hagwilget is a Gitxsan village just north of New Hazelton on the west bank of the Bulkley River. It is marked by the St. Mary Magdalen church, built in 1908. The area adjacent to Hagwilget is also known as Two Mile due to its location in relation to the Village of Hazelton.
Population 170
| Contacts | www.hagwilget.com |
Glen Vowell is a Gitxsan village located approximately halfway between Old Hazelton and Kispiox. It was developed by members of the Salvation Army church 1898. Glen Vowell is a planned community that is very neat with the old church near the Skeena River.
Population 177
| Contacts | Phone (250) 842-5241 |
Gitsegukla is a Gitxsan community located on Highway 16 at the confluence of the Kitseguecla and Skeena Rivers west of Hazelton. It is marked by a distinctive set of slender totem poles and the old United Church. This church has sheet-metal spires and an authentic “candle-flame” top.
Population 720
| Contacts | www.gitsegukla.org |
