Git Hayetsk: "People of the Copper Shield"

Git Hayetsk: "People of the Copper Shield" Lead in partnership by Mike and Mique'l Dangeli, Git Hayetsk is an internationally renowned Northwes The inspiration for our name is the copper shield.

Git Hayetsk means the people of the copper shield in Sm’algyax which is spoken by the Nisga’a, Tsimshian, and Gitxsan Nations. Our dancers are bonded by their common ancestry to the Sm'algyak speaking peoples with distinctions in their family ties to the Haida, Tlingit, Haisla, and Musqueam Nations. Our home and ancestral villages are located in Southeast Alaska, Vancouver BC and along the coastli

ne of the Terrace-Prince Rupert area including the Nass and Skeena Rivers. It is the most prestigious form of ceremonial wealth among the Northern Nations of the Northwest Coast. Owned by only the most high status people in our culture, it is made out of hand-pounded copper ranging in size from several inches to 4 feet tall. Its standard composition represents an ancestral being with its ribs and backbone made prominent by the raised T-shape in the center. Of its many meanings, copper shields also symbolize wealth, prestige, power, strength, and peace. As our ancestors have since time immemorial, we bring out copper shield at our ceremonies today to assert our hereditary rights and privileges. Since 2003, we have shared our songs and dances at ceremonial and public events in urban and rural communities through Canada, the US, and abroad including British Columbia, Ontario, Manitoba, Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Ohio, Hawaii, Washington DC, Austria, Malaysia, Germany, and Japan. To book the Git Hayetsk Dancers or for further information please contact Group Leaders Mike & Mique'l Dangeli at [email protected] or (604) 836-9413.

 at Nisga’a Ts’amiks Hobiyee 2025Photo courtesy of Carly Mulder
04/02/2025

at Nisga’a Ts’amiks Hobiyee 2025

Photo courtesy of Carly Mulder

 at Nisga’a Ts’amiks Hobiyee 2025Photo courtesy of .stevens
04/02/2025

at Nisga’a Ts’amiks Hobiyee 2025

Photo courtesy of .stevens

 at Nisga’a Ts’amiks Hobiyee 2025Photo courtesy of .stevens
04/02/2025

at Nisga’a Ts’amiks Hobiyee 2025

Photo courtesy of .stevens

 at Nisga’a Ts’amiks Hobiyee 2025Photo courtesy of
04/02/2025

at Nisga’a Ts’amiks Hobiyee 2025

Photo courtesy of

 at Nisga’a Ts’amiks Hobiyee 2025Photo courtesy of
04/02/2025

at Nisga’a Ts’amiks Hobiyee 2025

Photo courtesy of

 at Nisga’a Ts’amiks Hobiyee 2025
04/01/2025

at Nisga’a Ts’amiks Hobiyee 2025

 at Nisga’a Ts’amiks Hobiyee 2025Photo courtesy of Wil Ukws-t’aa
04/01/2025

at Nisga’a Ts’amiks Hobiyee 2025

Photo courtesy of Wil Ukws-t’aa

 prepares to take the floor at Nisga’a Ts’amiks Hobiyee 2025Nt’oyaxsn Carly Mulder for capturing these moments.         ...
03/31/2025

prepares to take the floor at Nisga’a Ts’amiks Hobiyee 2025

Nt’oyaxsn Carly Mulder for capturing these moments.

 at Nisga’a Ts’amiks Hobiyee 2025Nt’oyaxsn  for capturing these moments.
03/31/2025

at Nisga’a Ts’amiks Hobiyee 2025

Nt’oyaxsn for capturing these moments.

Address

1607 East Hastings
Vancouver, BC
V5L1S7

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Git Hayetsk: "People of the Copper Shield" posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Git Hayetsk: "People of the Copper Shield":

Share