The Nisg̱a’a of British Columbia’s Nass River valley developed a governance system based on hereditary chiefs and matriarchs organized into four clans: Wolf, Raven/Frog, Eagle, and Killer Whale. Clan membership is decided by the mother’s lineage. Within each clan there are multiple houses, each with a Chief, who holds and manages the land for the use and benefit of the members of his house.

Women controlled transfers of power and reputation, and upheld the law. It was mandatory that the wife of a Chief belong to another clan, and any children of a Chief belonged to the house of their mother, not their father. In this way, the clans and houses were constantly mixing, ensuring interdependence and common purpose.

For thousands of years all decisions about wealth transfer, land use, resolution of disputes, criminal matters, education, and social services were made within this system of governance. The four Nisg̱a’a clans continue to exist to this day; forming the social and political foundation of the Nisg̱a’a Final Agreement.