Stellat'en Hubuyunk'ut - History of Stellat'en First Nation

Learn about the traditional lands of Stellat'en First Nation, cultural practices, ceremony, and how they were affected by European settlement and the fur trade by clicking on the link below.

History in Brief

To view a larger version of the Stella / Nadleh Seating Plan (under development) click Here.

To view a map detailing Stellat’en Traditional Shared Territory (Courtesy of Carrier Sekani Tribal Council) click Here.

Stella / Nadleh Hereditary Clan Leaders Names

Click on the Clan crests to see a listing of the Clan's hereditary leaders,


Bear Clan	Beaver Clan	Caribou Clan	Frog Clan

Dakelh Yinka Da - Carrier of Long Ago

Click on the link below to read about the religious and traditional practices and people of Stellat'en First Nation including prophets, medicine men and women and dreamers.

Practices and Traditions of Long Ago

Bahlats Ada Dene Huyinla - Potlach in the Beginning

Learn about the history of the Stellat'en First Nation Potlach, including its reason for coming to be, the etiquette practiced, and what the position of "first person" entails, by clicking the link below.

Stellat'en Potlatches

The Clan System is Matrilineal

Find out how a "matrilineal" clan operates and evolves by clicking on the link below.

A Matrilineal Clan

Terminology

Bahlats	A traditional carrier ceremony held in feast hall to resolve or celebrate an event such weddings, name giving and burials.
Ustas	mythical carrier legend.
Dughehutelhdulh	A big gathering or people migrate towards a feast.
Dune zah’	A man with noble personage also a carrier hereditary name.
Tseke zah’:	A woman of nobility and also a carrier hereditary name.
Skezah’:	A child being groomed for royalty and carrier name.
Crossing the table:	Crossing the table refers to crossing the floor over to another clan in the event that you marry into your own clan or a death has caused the other clan to lose too many members.

Courtesy of Dennis Patrick

It is important to understand that the influences on Carrier language include French, English, and Chinook (trade language) to create Pigeon Carrier. Today Pigeon Carrier is mostly a mixture of Carrier and English.