Gitxsan Development Corporation Honours Sim’oogit Wii Eelast, Chief Jim Angus

South Hazelton, BC (April 2, 2026) – The Gitxsan Development Corporation extends its deepest honour and tribute to the memory of Wii Eelast, Chief Jim Angus, as our community grieves his passing. We also extend our heartfelt condolences to his beloved wife, Doreen, and their children and grandchildren during this time of profound loss.

As a Sim’oogit and founding board member of the Gitxsan Development Corporation, Wii Eelast was a true leader whose wisdom, humility, and gentle guidance helped shape the work of the Board in profound ways.

His leadership was firmly grounded in respect for the Gitxsan people and in the responsibility we carry to find a path forward that brings meaningful economic benefit to our Nation and to the generations yet to come.

As a plaintiff in the landmark Delgamuukw court case, Wii Eelast stood strong with the Gitxsan through a long and hard-fought struggle for rights and title. He carried this responsibility with unwavering conviction and integrity. As an educator, he was equally committed to creating space for our emerging Gitxsan leaders to learn—ensuring our people understood and upheld our Gitxsan ways, our protocols, and the social structure that forms the foundation of who we are.

Wii Eelast was also a powerful and influential Gitxsan speaker. Whether at board tables, negotiation tables, or within the feast hall, he spoke with clarity, conviction, and deep commitment to his people. His voice will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.

He never strayed from our Hereditary System—he lived it every day.

As Wii Eelast once said:

“We must educate our youth to enable Gitxsan to be part of the world economy, and through our traditional teachings of our values and spirituality, establish a strong Gitxsan nation rooted in our lax yip — a lax yip that will always be sustainable.”

Please note that our offices will be closed at 1:00 pm, April 2nd, to attend the Welcome Home.