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Indigenous-owned · Saskatoon, Treaty 6 · Shipping across Canada
An introduction to Terrace: its history, the Nations whose lands it sits on, and Indigenous community life today, with sources.
The city grew on stepped benches above the Skeena River, near the mouth of the Kitsumkalum River. That landform is reflected in the Tsimshian name for Terrace, ganeexs, which sources translate as ladder or steps. The Kitselas First Nation, about 700 people, holds reserves along the river near town. Kitsumkalum, an original tribe of the Ts’msyen, also has its community here. Kitselas Canyon sits about 10 minutes east of town along that highway. The Kitselas and Kitsumkalum peoples have lived in this part of the Skeena valley for thousands of years. Kitselas Canyon, just east of town, was a place of governance and trade. The Kitselas describe it as the only First Nations village on the Skeena where house remains and poles from the 1800s still stand. Canada designated Kitselas Canyon a National Historic Site in 1972. Little Canyon, beneath the Old Skeena Bridge, is a traditional Ts’msyen fishing place.
Terrace sits on ancestral Ts’msyen lands, home to the Kitselas and Kitsumkalum peoples. Kitsumkalum calls its territory Laxyuup and is engaged in treaty negotiations.
Nearby: Kitselas · Kitsumkalum · Thornhill · Lakelse Lake · Kitimat · Prince Rupert
Ts'msyen culture is visible across Terrace today. The Kitselas call themselves the Gitselasu, People of the Canyon, and aim to be financially self-sufficient and self-governing. The Kitselas Development Corporation manages business ventures, and the nation runs education, health, housing and lands departments. Kitsumkalum operates under its own Land Code and runs a gas bar, gift store, quarry logistics park and wilderness resort. It also delivers language and fish and wildlife programs. Kitselas Canyon welcomes visitors on guided and self-guided tours through its longhouses and Clan Totem Pole Garden. The Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art, named for the renowned carver, is described as Canada's first Indigenous fine arts school. Diesing led the carving of two Kitsumkalum poles in the 1980s, the first poles of the modern era there. The Kermode Friendship Centre is home to the Survivors' Pole, raised in 2021. Local galleries such as Red Raven feature Indigenous artists. Smalgyax, the Ts'msyen language, has learning resources on FirstVoices.
More on the region: Indigenous British Columbia · all of Canada.
XUSI is an Indigenous-owned business from Saskatoon, started in 2020 by two brothers from northern Saskatchewan. Along with our clothing, we bring Indigenous youth workshops and custom screen printing to Terrace and across British Columbia.
Strong Roots Strong Future is our interactive workshop for Indigenous youth, led by the two brothers who founded XUSI. We travel to schools, First Nations and Indigenous communities, youth organizations and funding programs in Terrace and across British Columbia. Youth ages 10 and up work through identity and culture, financial literacy, fitness, entrepreneurship and business skills, career readiness and hands-on screen printing.
Custom t-shirts, hoodies and crewnecks for Terrace schools, sports teams, businesses, events and First Nations and Indigenous organizations. Send us an idea, get free design help and a full quote before anything is printed. We print in Saskatoon and ship to Terrace. 10-garment minimum, up to 4 colours per design.
Heavyweight cotton tees, hoodies, crewnecks and A-frame hats with Cree words and the stories behind them. Fitness is part of how XUSI started, so our pieces are built for the gym and the street, and we ship them to Terrace.
Orders of $90 or more ship free to Terrace and anywhere in Canada. Orders under $90 show the shipping cost at checkout. Every order leaves our Saskatoon shop within 1 to 3 business days.
Yes. Custom screen printing starts at 10 garments with up to 4 colours per design. Every order gets a full quote before anything is printed, and design help is included. We print in Saskatoon and ship to you.
No. We have no store or stockist in Terrace or anywhere in northwest BC. Outside our online shop, our only retail presence is at Wanuskewin near Saskatoon. Terrace customers order online, and we ship each order from Saskatoon.
Last reviewed . Facts on this page come from the sources listed below.
The same two brothers who design the clothing run Strong Roots Strong Future, an Indigenous youth workshop they bring to schools, Nations and youth organizations, including in Terrace.
The clothing carries the same language and the same stories the workshops are built on. See the youth workshops, or read the meanings behind the designs.
