The Skeena River, the second-longest river entirely within British Columbia, Canada (following the Fraser River), has served as a vital transportation route since ancient times, especially for the Tsimshian and Gitxsan peoples, who are named after the river. The health of the river and its basin is crucial for sustaining a diverse range of fish, wildlife, and vegetation, upon which the local communities depend. The Tsimshian reside along the Lower Skeena River, while the Gitxsan occupy the territory of the Upper Skeena. During the Omineca Gold Rush, steamboat services facilitated travel from the sea to Hazelton, a crucial starting point for trails leading to the goldfields. Port Simpson (Lax Kw'alaams) on the Skeena became a significant trading post established by the Hudson's Bay Company, attracting nine tribes of the Tsimshian nation around 1834. Additionally, other tribes live elsewhere in British Columbia, and descendants of one group reside in Metlakatla, Alaska.

Skeena River - Wikipedia