Home of the Kitasoo Xai’xais First Nation
Located on the east side of the Swindle Islands, approximately 500km north of Vancouver, Klemtu is the furtherst community we visit. Klemtu is home to Kitasoo and Xai’xais, two distinct First Nations that came together to create the community.
About Klemtu
This band has 517 members with only 319 living in Klemtu. The small population has not disuaded them from speaking their two distinct ancestral languages. The Kitasoo are the southernmost group of the Tsimshianic language family and speak Sgüüxs (a southern dialect). The Xai’xais are part of the Wakashan language family and speak Xai’xais.
There are four clans within Klemtu – Black Fish, Raven, Wolf and Eagle – whose history you can learn more about when you visit.
There is a core group of believers who welcome and enjoy the visits of the B.C. Mission Boat Society’s teams. There is a second generation of believers who came to Kid’s Club when they were young and now bring their own children!
The community is thankful that the BCMBS comes to teach their children about the love of God and reach out to more people in the community. The elders of Klemtu are asking for the teams to come more often and stay longer to continue to affirm their faith in Jesus.