Charles Nelson (1868 – March 19, 1930) was a Chief of the Ganhada (Raven) house of the

Kitsumkalum Kitsumkalum is an original tribe/ galts'ap (community) of the Tsimshian Nation. Kitsumkalum is one of the 14 tribes of the Tsimshian nation in British Columbia, Canada. Kitsumkalum and is also the name of one of their Indian Reserve just west of t ...

Tribe of the Tsimshian Nation, located in

British Columbia, Canada British Columbia is the westernmost province of Canada. Situated in the Pacific Northwest between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains, the province has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that include rocky coastlines, sandy beach ...

. His traditional name, Xpilaxha, roughly translates to “halfway to heaven.” Nelson and his wife,

Emma Nelson Emma Nelson may refer to: * Emma Nelson (''Degrassi: The Next Generation''), a fictional character in the TV series ''Degrassi: The Next Generation'' * Emma Nelson (née Starr), matriarch of the Tsimshian people * Emma Nelson (actress) * Emma Ne ...

, played a prominent role in the early history of the

Terrace, British Columbia Terrace is a city in the Skeena Country, Skeena region of west central British Columbia, Canada. This regional hub lies east of the confluence of the Kitsumkalum River into the Skeena River. On British Columbia Highway 16, BC Highway 16, junctions ...

area.

Early life and family

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

Contributions and legacy

Charles and Emma Nelson were integral to the development of the Terrace area during the early 20th century. They provided food, hospitality, and local knowledge to European settlers. 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. Despite their contributions, historical narratives often understate their role in the region's development. Nelson was also an advocate for Indigenous rights. In 1915, he appeared before the McKenna-McBride Royal Commission, demanding land rights for his people. He argued for ownership and autonomy, challenging the restrictive policies of the

Indian Act The ''Indian Act'' () is a Canadian Act of Parliament that concerns registered Indians, their bands, and the system of Indian reserves. First passed in 1876 and still in force with amendments, it is the primary document that defines how t ...

Injury and death

Nelson sustained severe injuries in a railway accident during a snowstorm when his dogsled was struck by a

Grand Trunk Pacific Railway The Grand Trunk Pacific Railway was a historic Canadian transcontinental railway running from Fort William, Ontario (now Thunder Bay) to Prince Rupert, British Columbia, a Pacific coast port. East of Winnipeg the line continued as the National ...

snowplow. This accident left him disabled. He died on March 19, 1930, at the age of 62.

Recognition

In May 2024, the

Grand Trunk Pathway Grand may refer to: People with the name * Grand (surname) * Grand L. Bush (born 1955), American actor Places * Grand, Oklahoma, USA * Grand, Vosges, village and commune in France with Gallo-Roman amphitheatre * Grand County (disambiguation), s ...

in Terrace was renamed the Xpilaxha – Charles and Emma Nelson Trail in honour of the couple's contributions to the region. The renaming ceremony was part of broader reconciliation efforts, recognizing the Tsimshian Nation's history and contributions.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nelson, Charles Tsimshian people 20th-century Canadian people 1930 deaths 1868 births