Charles Nelson (Tsimshian chief)
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{{Infobox person
| name = Charles Nelson
| image = Charles Nelson.jpg
| image_upright = 0.6
| caption = Charles Nelson.
| native_name = Xpilaxha
| native_name_lang = Tsimshian
| pronunciation = SPEE-la-haa
| birth_date = 1868
| death_date = {{Death date|1930|3|19}}
| death_place = Terrace, British Columbia
| known_for = Indigenous rights activism
| spouse = Emma Nelson
| children = 9
}}
Charles Nelson (1868 – March 19, 1930) was a Chief of the Ganhada (Raven) house of the Kitsumkalum Tribe of the Tsimshian Nation, located in British Columbia, Canada.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-25 |title=Grand Trunk Pathway Renamed Xpilaxha Trail |url=https://www.terrace.ca/discover-terrace/news/grand-trunk-pathway-renamed-xpilaxha-trail |access-date=2024-12-07 |website=www.terrace.ca |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Wiebe |first=Kelsey |date=2015-06-17 |title=There's far more to Terrace's history than white men |url=https://www.terracestandard.com/opinion/theres-far-more-to-terraces-history-than-white-men-6013373 |access-date=2024-12-07 |website=Terrace Standard |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Bujtas |first=Sean |date=2024-05-31 |title=Sean Bujtas on LinkedIn: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Xpilaxha Nelson Trail ⭐️⭐️⭐️ |url=https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sean-bujtas-2192431a2_xpilaxha-nelson-trail-today-activity-7202423884162228224-Sktd/ |access-date=2024-12-08 |website=www.linkedin.com |language=en}}{{Cite journal |last=McDonald |first=James A. |date=1990 |title=POLES, POTLATCHING, AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS: The Use of Aboriginal Culture in Development |url=https://www.erudit.org/en/journals/culture/1990-v10-n2-culture06347/1081343ar/ |journal=Culture |language=en |volume=10 |issue=2 |pages=103–120 |doi=10.7202/1081343ar |issn=0229-009X}}{{Cite web |title=Declaration History |url=https://kitsumkalum.com/declaration-history/ |access-date=2024-12-07 |website=www.kitsumkalum.com |language=en-CA}}{{Cite book |last=Guernsey |first=Brenda |url=https://unbc.arcabc.ca/islandora/object/unbc:15956 |title=Un-Layering Landscapes: A Post-Colonial Critique of "Wilderness" in Tsimshian Territory, Northern British Columbia |publisher=University of Northern British Columbia |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-494-48767-9 |language=en-CA |doi=10.24124/2009/bpgub562}}{{Citation |last=McDonald |first=James |title=9. Cultivating in the Northwest: Early Accounts of Tsimshian Horticulture |date=2011-12-01 |work=Keeping It Living: Traditions of Plant Use and Cultivation on the Northwest Coast of North America |pages=240–273 |editor-last=Deur |editor-first=Douglas E. |url=https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/9780295801100-010/html |access-date=2024-12-07 |publisher=University of Washington Press |language=en |doi=10.1515/9780295801100-010 |isbn=978-0-295-80110-0 |editor2-last=Turner |editor2-first=Nancy J.}} His traditional name, Xpilaxha, roughly translates to “halfway to heaven.”{{Cite web |last=Link |first=Rod |date=2024-06-08 |title=Trail renaming honours Tshimshian couple |url=https://www.terracestandard.com/community/trail-renaming-honours-tshimshian-couple-7375315 |access-date=2024-12-07 |website=Terrace Standard |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Link |first=Rod |date=2024-11-27 |title=Terrace begins crafting new Indigenous names policy |url=https://www.terracestandard.com/local-news/city-to-craft-indigenous-names-policy-7659055 |access-date=2024-12-07 |website=Terrace Standard |language=en}} Nelson and his wife, Emma Nelson, played a prominent role in the early history of the Terrace, British Columbia area.{{Cite web |last=Spencer |first=Sabrina |date=2024-11-27 |title=Terrace to Develop Indigenous Naming Policy for Streets, Parks, and Facilities |url=https://www.cfnrfm.ca/2024/11/27/terrace-to-develop-indigenous-naming-policy-for-streets-parks-and-facilities/ |access-date=2024-12-07 |website=CFNR Network |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Link |first=Rod |date=2023-07-05 |title=Terrace city council backs bid to rename Grand Trunk Pathway |url=https://www.terracestandard.com/news/terrace-city-council-backs-bid-to-rename-grand-trunk-pathway-6077103 |access-date=2024-12-07 |website=Terrace Standard |language=en}}
Early life and family
Charles Nelson was born in the mid-19th century, in 1868, and became a notable figure among the Kitsumkalum people.{{Cite web |last=Link |first=Rod |date=2024-09-26 |title=Late Kitsumkalum chief councillor honoured with settlement feast |url=https://www.terracestandard.com/local-news/late-kitsumkalum-chief-councillor-honoured-with-settlement-feast-7546727 |access-date=2024-12-07 |website=Terrace Standard |language=en}} He married Emma Nelson (née Starr), who held a high name within the Gisbutwada (Killer Whale) house of the Kitsumkalum. Together, they raised nine children: Grace, Cecilia, Elizabeth, Josephine, Miriam, Gordon, Charlie Jr., Billy, and Dave.{{Cite web |last=Moen |first=Yvonne Marie |title=Kitsumgallum People: Emma and Charles Nelson |url=https://www.terracelibrary.ca/history1/charlienelson/kitsumgallum_people.htm |access-date=2024-12-07 |website=www.terracelibrary.ca}}
Contributions and legacy
Charles and Emma Nelson were integral to the development of the Terrace area during the early 20th century. They provided food, hospitality, and local knowledge to European settlers.{{Cite web |title=Kitsumkalum Territory |url=https://www.gent.name/_media/bc:towns:rosswood:kitsumkalum_territory_6x4_history.pdf |access-date=2024-12-07 |website=Doug Gent's History Pages}} The couple operated a general store at Kitsumkalum and supported local economic development, including investing in George Little's sawmill, a foundational industry for Terrace.{{Cite web |last=McDonald |first=James A. |date=1990 |title=Bleeding Day and Night: The Construction of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway Across Tsimshian Reserve Lands |url=https://cjns.brandonu.ca/wp-content/uploads/10-1-mcdonald.pdf |access-date=2024-12-07 |website=www.cjns.brandonu.ca}} Despite their contributions, historical narratives often understate their role in the region's development.
Nelson was also an advocate for Indigenous rights. In 1915, he appeared before the McKenna-McBride Royal Commission, demanding land rights for his people.{{Cite journal |last=McGowan |first=Katharine A. |date=2010-08-24 |title="Until We Receive Just Treatment": The Fight Against Conscription at the Naas Agency and British Columbia, 1917-1918 |url=https://ojs.library.ubc.ca/index.php/bcstudies/article/view/576 |journal=BC Studies: The British Columbian Quarterly |language=en |issue=167 |pages=47–70 |doi=10.14288/bcs.v0i167.576 |issn=0005-2949}} He argued for ownership and autonomy, challenging the restrictive policies of the Indian Act.
= Injury and death =
Nelson sustained severe injuries in a railway accident during a snowstorm when his dogsled was struck by a Grand Trunk Pacific Railway snowplow. This accident left him disabled.
= Recognition =
In May 2024, the Grand Trunk Pathway in Terrace was renamed the Xpilaxha – Charles and Emma Nelson Trail in honour of the couple's contributions to the region.{{Cite web |last=Spencer |first=Sabrina |title=Xpilaxha-Charles & Emma Nelson Trail: Bridging Communities and Honoring Heritage |url=https://www.cfnrfm.ca/2024/05/31/xpilaxha-charles-emma-nelson-trail-bridging-communities-and-honoring-heritage/ |access-date=2024-12-07 |website=CFNR Network |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Spencer |first=Sabrina |date=2024-10-03 |title=Second Xpilaxha Trail Sign Installed |url=https://www.cfnrfm.ca/2024/10/03/second-xpilaxha-trail-sign-installed/ |access-date=2024-12-07 |website=CFNR Network |language=en}} The renaming ceremony was part of broader reconciliation efforts, recognizing the Tsimshian Nation's history and contributions.