Kitwanga

Meaning "place of rabbits", Gitwangak was formerly called Kitwanga, with variations such as Gitwangar, Kitwangagh, or Kitwangar.{{Cite web | url=https://www.bcafn.ca/first-nations-bc/north-coast/gitwangak |title=Gitwangak |website=www.bcafn.ca}}

According to legend, Lutraisuh, daughter of a noble family, was kidnapped by a Haida war party. After bearing three sons to a blind chief, she escaped with the surviving third son. The boy, called Nekt, grew up to became a fierce warrior. He killed a grizzly bear, lined the hide with sheets of slate, and created a simple suit of armor. His people built the hilltop stronghold from which they waged war. His enemies regarded Nekt as a mythical bear that could not be killed. His war club was called Strike-Only-Once. Eventually, a shot from the first firearm in the territory killed him.{{Cite web | url=http://pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca/fedora/repository/pgc:1981-09-09-04 |page=4 |title=Prince George Citizen |date=9 Sep 1981 |website=pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca}}

Designated a national historic site in 1971, the Gitwangak hilltop fort (Ta’awdzep) was burned and abandoned about 1835. Formerly known as Kitwanga Fort, the site was occupied from at least the mid-1700s. Palisades surrounded the hilltop stronghold, which enclosed five longhouses. No above ground structures have survived. From here, the Gitwangak people raided settlements along the Skeena River and the coast.{{cite web | url=https://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=7633 |title=Gitwangak Battle Hill National Historic Site of Canada |website=www.historicplaces.ca}} Battles were waged to control fishing sites, protect trade routes, and enhance tribal prestige. A defensive measure was a system of logs designed to roll down upon approaching attackers.{{Cite web | url=http://pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca/fedora/repository/pgc:1992-05-14-46 |page=46 |title=Prince George Citizen |date=14 May 1992 |website=pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca}} The location offered a vantage point over the adjacent Kitwankul Trail and the Kitwanga River Valley.{{Cite web | url=http://www.ourbc.com/travel_bc/bc_cities/yellowhead_hwy/kitwanga.htm |title=Kitwanga (Gitwangak) |website=www.ourbc.com}}

File:Totem poles in Kitwanga.jpg

After abandoning the fort, the inhabitants briefly moved to another village before settling at the present site by the river. The totem poles, erected between 1840 and 1942, depict the history of the fort. More than 500 photos document their presence from 1899 to the early 1980s. The 1924–1926 restoration project comprised extensive work on both standing and fallen totems. From 1926 to 1942, poles were moved back from the river edge to the centre of the village. During summer 1969, a further restoration project was undertaken. Both deliberately and accidentally, fire has destroyed many examples.{{cite report | url=http://parkscanadahistory.com/series/saah/totempoles.pdf |last=MacDonald |first=George F. |title=The Totem Poles and Monuments of Gitwangak Village |publisher=Parks Canada |year=1984 |website=parkscanadahistory.com}}

Significant earlier painters who captured the poles were Emily Carr (1912 and 1926) and George Pepper (1929).{{Cite web | url=https://www.gallery.ca/collection/artwork/totem-poles-kitwanga |title= George Pepper: Totem Poles, Kitwanga | website=www.gallery.ca}} A further reproduction appears on a 1930 postage stamp.{{Cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/search/#lnd=1&query=%22reproduction%22&ymd=1930-02-19&t=11779 |page=8 |title=Interior News |date=19 Feb 1930 |quote=A reproduction of one of the more imposing of the totem poles at Kitwanga is to be seen on the new Canadian ten-cent postage stamp | website=www.newspapers.com}}

Gitwangak is one of six communities that belong to the Gitxsan grouping.{{Cite web | url=http://onejourneyatatime.com/Site/?tag=%2FBattle+Hill |title=First Nations and 'Ksan Village |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304134058/http://onejourneyatatime.com/Site/?tag=%2FBattle+Hill |archive-date=2016-03-04 }}

Rev. Alfred Edward Price established the Anglican mission, having charge 1889–1911.{{cite thesis | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/media/stream/pdf/831/1.0055501 |last=Edwards |first=Gail |page=410 (398) |title=Creating Textual Communities: Anglican and Methodist Missionaries and Print Culture in BC, 1858–1914 |year=2001 |type=PhD |website=library.ubc.ca}} The church also administered the day school on the reserve 1898–1975.{{Cite web | url=https://indiandayschools.com/en/wp-content/uploads/schedule-k.pdf#page=10 |page=10 |title=Schedule K – List of Federal Indian Day Schools |website=indiandayschools.com}} During winter 1887, a measles epidemic broke out, which quickly spread because people travelled for cultural events.{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/bcbooks/1.0347407#p203z-3r0f:%22KItwangah%22 |last=Stephenson |first=Annie D. |page=204 (186) |title=One hundred years of Canadian Methodist missions, 1824–1924 |year=1925 |website=library.ubc.ca}}

File:St. Paul's Anglican Church, Kitwanga.jpg

In 1974, the rotted church bell tower was replaced.{{Cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/search/#lnd=1&query=%22old+rotten%22&ymd=1974-05-08&t=11779 |page=22 |title=Interior News |date=8 May 1974 |quote= | website=www.newspapers.com}}

In 2009, funding from Northern Development and volunteer labour, enabled extensive renovations to the community hall.{{Cite web | url=https://www.northerndevelopment.bc.ca/explore-our-region/success-stories/gitwangak-community-hall-renovations-helping-to-support-local-families-and-youth |title=Local Families and Youth Volunteers Work Together to Restore Community Hall in Kitwangak |website=www.northerndevelopment.bc.ca}}

Gitwangak Health and a volunteer fire department serve the community.{{cite report | url=https://iaac-aeic.gc.ca/050/documents/p80040/88264E.pdf#page=96 |author=Stantec Consulting Ltd |page=96 (86) |title=Proposed Arctos Anthracite Project |publisher=Arctos Anthracite Joint Venture |date=2 Apr 2013 |website=iaac-aeic.gc.ca}}

In 2021, the second of two suspicious fires destroyed the abandoned St. Paul's Anglican Church, which was built in 1893. The adjacent bell tower was saved despite some fire damage.{{Cite web | url=https://www.cftktv.com/second-suspicious-fire-in-one-week-destroys-historic-gitwangak-church-1.5495127 |title=CFTK-TV News |date=2 Jul 2021 |website=www.cftktv.com}}

Opened in 2023 were a childcare centre providing more than 50 spaces{{Cite web | url=https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023ECC0034-000750 |title=BC Gov News |date=16 May 2023 |website=news.gov.bc.ca}} and the two-storey 52-unit Gitwangak Affordable Apartment Complex.{{Cite web | url=https://www.ghsociety.ca/apartment-complex |title=Gitwangak Affordable Apartment Complex |website=www.ghsociety.ca}}

On reserve land at the junction of highways 37 and 16, the Kitwanga Petro-Canada provides fuel, a minor repair shop, a small restaurant, and a convenience store.

During the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (GTP) construction, camps were established in 1909 at Andimaul.{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/omineca/1.0082844#p0z-4r0f:%22Andimaul%22 |page=1 |title=Omineca Herald |date=9 Oct 1909 |website=library.ubc.ca}}
{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/omineca/1.0083114#p0z-4r0f:%22powder%22 |page=1 |title=Omineca Herald |date=13 Nov 1909 |website=library.ubc.ca}} Here, Foley, Welch and Stewart, the prime contractor, wintered its two steamboats.{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/omineca/1.0211735#p6z-4r0f:%22Andimaul%22 |page=7 |title=Omineca Herald |date=30 Apr 1910 |website=library.ubc.ca}} During 1910, a constable was assigned,{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/omineca/1.0082794#p0z-4r0f:%22Andimaul%22 |page=1 |title=Omineca Herald |date=7 May 1910 |website=library.ubc.ca}} a steam shovel arrived,{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/omineca/1.0082967#p14z-4r0f:%22Andimaul%22 |page=15 |title=Omineca Herald |date=9 Jul 1910 |website=library.ubc.ca}} and a general store opened.{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/omineca/1.0083038#p2z-4r0f:%22Andimaul%22 |page=3 |title=Omineca Herald |date=29 Oct 1910 |website=library.ubc.ca}} Two years later, the latter was the final one to exit Andimaul.{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/omineca/1.0082885#p0z-4r0f:%22Andimaul%22 |page=1 |title=Omineca Herald |date=20 Sep 1912 |website=library.ubc.ca}}

At the beginning of March 1912, the eastward advance of the GTP rail head from Prince Rupert passed through Kitwanga and reached Mile 151.{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/ominecaminer/1.0083403#p0z-4r0f:%22151%22 |page=1 |title=Omineca Miner |date=2 Mar 1912 |website=library.ubc.ca}} The standard-design Plan 100‐152 (Bohi's Type E) station building{{Cite web | url=https://www.gent.name/bc:towns:kitwanga:start |title=Kitwanga |website=www.gent.name}} was erected that year.{{Cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/dailycolonist57200uvic/page/n24/mode/1up?view=theater&q=Kitwanga |page=24 |title=Daily Colonist |date=4 Aug 1912 | website=archive.org}}

During the 1920s, the Canadian National Railway (CN) scheduled a longer stop for passengers to view the totem poles.{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/bcbooks/1.0379011#p32z-5r0f:%22Kitwanga%22 |page=33 (25) |title=Canada, Pacific to Atlantic: "the National way" |year=1922 |website=library.ubc.ca}}{{Cite report | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/bcbooks/1.0304637#p539z-3r0f:%22Kitwanga%22 |page=540 (148) |title=Mining and industrial record, 1926–27 |website=library.ubc.ca}}

In 1928, a locomotive engineer sustained serious injuries to his scalp.{{Cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/search/#lnd=1&query=%22Monday+and+after%22&ymd=1928-08-15&t=11779 |page=1 |title=Interior News |date=15 Aug 1928 |quote=L.A. Bahler, an engineer on the Canadian National Railways, met with serious injuries to his scalp at Kitwanga... | website=www.newspapers.com}}

In 1957, a westbound passenger train derailed east of Woodcock.{{Cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/search/#lnd=1&query=%22point+one+mile+east%22&ymd=1957-05-02&t=11779 |page=1 |title=Interior News |date=2 May 1957 |quote=The engine, baggage and express cars were derailed at a point one mile east of Woodcock… | website=www.newspapers.com}} A few months later, a falling boulder killed a section hand {{convert|1|mi|km|1|order=flip}} east of Andimaul.{{Cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/search/#lnd=1&query=%22Andimaul%22&ymd=1957-07-29&t=12636 |page=1 |title=Northern Sentinel |date=29 Jul 1957 |quote=…section gang worker was killed while scaling a rock bluff one mile east of Andimaul, near Kitwanga. The victim lost his footing and was hit by a large boulder that came loose above him. | website=www.newspapers.com}}

In 1963, a derailment occurred near Kitwanga.{{Cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/search/#lnd=1&query=%22in+the+recent%22&ymd=1963-11-06&t=11779 |page=1 |title=Interior News |date=6 Nov 1963 |quote=…the recent train derailment near Kitwanga. | website=www.newspapers.com}}

In 1978, Kitwanga was one of several communities between Prince Rupert and the Alberta border, where CN eliminated the agent-operator position.{{Cite web | url=http://pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca/fedora/repository/pgc:1978-08-02-01 |page=1 |title=Prince George Citizen |date=2 Aug 1978 |website=pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca}}

In 1979, an acting conductor slipped under a boxcar during switching, which caused injuries that required one of his legs to be surgically amputated.{{Cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/search/#lnd=1&query=%22long-time+CNR%22&ymd=1979-08-22&t=11779 |page=1 |title=Interior News |date=22 Aug 1979 |quote=Bob MacDonald of Telkwa was severely injured in an accident near Kitwanga…acting conductor…slipped and fallen under a boxcar while switching. He was rushed to Mills Memorial Hospital in Terrace where one of his legs was amputated above the knee. | website=www.newspapers.com}}

In 1981, the CN Express office shuttered.{{Cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/search/#lnd=1&query=%22office+at+Kitwanga%22&ymd=1981-03-11&t=11779 |page=29 |title=Interior News |date=11 Mar 1981 |quote= | website=www.newspapers.com}}

Closed in 1985, the station property was relocated back from the tracks. Boarded up and covered with graffiti, the building burned down in 2003.{{cite web |url=https://www.michaelkluckner.com/bciw10gtp.html |title=Vanishing BC |website=www.michaelkluckner.com}}

In 2005, runaway rolling stock struck a locomotive on the main line.{{Cite report | url=https://railroaded.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/railroaded-railway-occurrences-in-northern-bc-dec-20131.pdf#page=16 |pages=16, 34 |title=Railway Occurrences (Incidents and Accidents) in Northern BC 2003 – 2013 |website=wordpress.com}}

In 2012, a freight train struck a tractor trailer unit at the railway crossing.

A 2019 report investigated the concept of constructing a railway line between Kitwanga and Stewart or at least a transloading facility at Kitwanga.{{cite report | url=https://www.terrace.ca/sites/default/files/docs/discover-terrace/news/terrace-transloading-feasibility-study-final-report.pdf#page=25 |pages=25, 27 (23, 25) |title=Transloading Facility Feasibility Study |date=11 Oct 2019 |website=www.terrace.ca}}

In 2020, 34 covered hopper cars, containing wood pellets, on a westbound freight train derailed.{{Cite web | url=https://www.terracestandard.com/news/train-derailment-reported-near-kitwanga |title=Terrace Standard |date=7 Jan 2020 |website=www.terracestandard.com}} A month later, a train clipped the end of a transport trailer at the railway crossing.{{Cite web | url=https://www.terracestandard.com/news/truck-cn-train-collide-at-kitwanga-level-crossing |title=Terrace Standard |date=13 Feb 2020 |website=www.terracestandard.com}}

The Andimaul passing track is {{convert|6530|ft|km|0|order=flip}}.{{Cite web | url=http://www.cwrailway.ca/cnrha.ca/Timetables%2007/Mountain/Bulkley.pdf |title=CN Bulkley Subdivision |website=www.cwrailway.ca}}

A trackside signpost marks the Kitwanga flag stop for Via Rail's Jasper–Prince Rupert train.{{cite web| url=https://www.viarail.ca/en/explore-our-destinations/stations/rockies-and-pacific/Kitwanga | title=Kitwanga train station| website=www.viarail.ca}}

{{small|{{note|Alpha|a}}. From 1989, the next stop eastward was New Hazelton.{{Cite web | url=https://www.dropbox.com/sh/6pzlmwfqm7huiwj/AADsbVzmMEPIQyJtQjZLO7Uka?dl=0&preview=1989-04-30_Network.pdf#page=45 |page=28 (55) |title=Timetable |date=30 Apr 1989 |website=www.dropbox.com}}}}

In 1911, the first {{convert|100|mi|km|order=flip}} of the Naas wagon road north toward Stewart was completed.{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/omineca/1.0211712#p1z-4r0f:%22Kitwangah%22 |page=2 |title=Omineca Herald |date=2 Sep 1911 |website=library.ubc.ca}}

By the early 1930s, the {{convert|30|mi|km|0|adj=on|order=flip}} Kitwanga–Hazelton road was considered fairly good.{{Cite report | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/bcsessional/1.0305081#p10z-3r0f:%22Kitwanga%22 |page=M11 |title=Minister of Public Works annual report, 1931–32 |website=library.ubc.ca}} A road extended east to Prince George. To the west, an isolated {{convert|25|mi|km|0|adj=on|order=flip}} section existed in the vicinity of Terrace.{{Cite web | url=http://pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca/fedora/repository/pgc:1933-08-24-02 |page=2 |title=Prince George Citizen |date=24 Aug 1933 |website=pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca}}

In 1944, work was completed at the Prince Rupert end and on the Pacific–Kitwanga leg, which opened the Prince Rupert–Prince George highway to military traffic.{{Cite web | url=http://pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca/fedora/repository/pgc:1943-07-15-06 |page=6 |title=Prince George Citizen |date=15 Jul 1943 |website=pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca}}
{{Cite web | url=http://pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca/fedora/repository/pgc:1944-07-27-02 |page=2 |title=Prince George Citizen |date=27 Jul 1944 |website=pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca}}

In 1956–57, Kitwanga–Hazelton was reconstructed to an all-weather highway.{{Cite report | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/bcsessional/1.0354204#p68z-4r0f:%22completed%22 |page=J69 |title=Minister of Highways annual report, 1956–57 |website=library.ubc.ca}}

In 1958, Western Coach Lines inaugurated a Prince Rupert–Prince George bus service,{{Cite web | url=http://pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca/fedora/repository/pgc:1958-06-12-01 |page=1 |title=Prince George Citizen |date=12 Jun 1958 |website=pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca}} which included a scheduled stop at Kitwanga.{{Cite web | url=http://pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca/fedora/repository/pgc:1958-06-13-12 |page=12 |title=Prince George Citizen |date=13 Jun 1958 |website=pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca}} The next year, the company withdrew the service.{{Cite web | url=http://pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca/fedora/repository/pgc:1959-03-18-01 |page=1 |title=Prince George Citizen |date=18 Mar 1959 |website=pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca}}

In 1960, when Prince Coach Lines assumed the Prince Rupert–Prince George route, only {{convert|75|mi|km|0|order=flip}} was paved. In 1966, when Canadian Coachways bought the company, only {{convert|75|mi|km|0|order=flip}} was still gravel.{{Cite web | url=http://pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca/fedora/repository/pgc:1966-05-24-42 |page=42 |title=Prince George Citizen |date=24 May 1966 |website=pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca}}

In 1963, Woodcock–Kitwanga was completed on the northwest shore, which connected with the existing Cedarvale–Woodcock road. Using the ferries at the respective ends, this provided an alternative scenic route.{{Cite web | url=http://pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca/fedora/repository/pgc:1963-09-11-02 |page=2 |title=Prince George Citizen |date=11 Sep 1963 |website=pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca}} The Kitwanga ferry was also popular for motorists wishing to view the totem poles.{{Cite web | url=http://pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca/fedora/repository/pgc:1963-04-15-42 |page=42 |title=Prince George Citizen |date=15 Apr 1963 |website=pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca}}

In 1970, Greyhound Canada purchased Canadian Coachways.{{Cite report | url=https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2021/isde-ised/RG54-1-10-eng.pdf#page=57 |last=Reschenthaler |first=G.B. |page=57 (43) |title=Performance Under Regulation: The Canadian Interbus Industry |website=publications.gc.ca}}

In 1992, when a tanker-trailer crashed though the roadside barrier, {{convert|10000|impgal|l usgal|order=flip}} of heavy asphalt oil spilled into the Skeena near Andimaul.{{Cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/search/#lnd=1&query=%22ploughed%22&ymd=1992-09-02&t=5978 |page=1 |title=Terrace Standard |date=2 Sep 1992 |quote=…near Andimaul Creek, just east of Kitwanga …A tanker-trailer carrying 10,000 gallons of paving oil parted from its rig…and plunged down a steep slope before coming to rest upside down in the river. | website=www.newspapers.com}}

Prior to ceasing all intraprovincial services in October 2018, Greyhound had eliminated the Prince Rupert–Prince George run that June.{{Cite web | url=https://www.interior-news.com/news/greyhound-cleared-to-end-routes-in-northern-b-c-vancouver-island/ |title=Interior News |date=21 Feb 2018 |website=www.interior-news.com}} BC Bus North immediately assumed the route.{{Cite web | url=https://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/local-news/a-crucial-lifeline-bc-bus-north-operations-granted-one-year-funding-extension-3586055 |title=Prince George Citizen |date=29 Mar 2021 |website=www.princegeorgecitizen.com}}

The current passenger transit providers are BC Bus North{{Cite web | url=https://bcbus.ca/schedules-and-fares/bus-schedule-between-prince-george-prince-rupert |title=Bus Schedule From Prince Rupert to Prince George |website=bcbus.ca}} and BC Transit.{{Cite web | url=https://www.bctransit.com/hazeltons/schedules-and-maps/route-overview?route=164 |title=Route 164: Hazeltons/Terrace |website=www.bctransit.com}}

File:The cable ferry on the Skeena River at Kitwanga (65110).jpg

In 1913, a subsidised seasonal cable ferry was installed over the Skeena.{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/ominecaminer/1.0083516#p3z-3r0f:%22Gitwangak%22 |page=4 |title=Omineca Herald |date=16 Aug 1913 |website=library.ubc.ca}}{{Cite report | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/bcsessional/1.0059778#p33z-3r0f:%22ferry%22 |page=Q34 |title=Minister of Public Works annual report, 1913–14 |website=library.ubc.ca}}

During summer 1921, the ferry did not operate, because of sparse traffic.{{Cite report | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/bcsessional/1.0225864#p35z-3r0f:%22Kitwanga%22 |page=36 (G20) |title=Minister of Public Works annual report, 1921–22 |website=library.ubc.ca}}

In 1923–24, a new {{convert|5|ST|t LT|1|adj=on|order=flip}} reaction ferry was installed.{{Cite report | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/bcsessional/1.0225863#p36z-3r0f:%22Kitwanga%22 |page=37 (L23) |title=Minister of Public Works annual report, 1923–24 |website=library.ubc.ca}}
{{Cite report | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/bcsessional/1.0300610#p53z-3r0f |page=54 (G50) |title=Minister of Public Works annual report, 1930–31 |website=library.ubc.ca}}

In 1925–26, new towers and floating landings were built.{{Cite report | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/bcsessional/1.0228040#p33z-3r0f:%22Kitwanga%22 |page=34 (Q22) |title=Minister of Public Works annual report, 1925–26 |website=library.ubc.ca}}

In the 1936 flood, the north tower of the ferry crossing moved and the landings were damaged. The ferry operator's residence floated down the river past Cedarvale.{{cite report | url=https://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wsd/public_safety/flood/pdfs_word/floods_landslides_north.pdf#page=34 |last=Septer |first=D. |pages=34, 40 |title=Flooding and Landslide Events Northern British Columbia 1820–2006 |website=www.gov.bc.ca}}

During the 1942 spring runoff, the cable of the new tower under construction had to be cut in order to save the structure.{{Cite report | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/bcsessional/1.0319035#p36z-4r0f:%22Kitwanga%22 |page=37 (O29) |title=Minister of Public Works annual report, 1942–43 |website=library.ubc.ca}}

In 1943, a RCAF pilot died when his plane struck the ferry cable.{{Cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/search/#lnd=1&query=%22ferry+cable%22&ymd=1943-12-22&t=11779 |page=1 |title=Interior News |date=22 Dec 1943 |quote=An R.C.A.F. pilot stationed at Terrace was killed at Kitwanga…when his plane struck a ferry cable… | website=www.newspapers.com}}

In 1947–48, a new {{convert|10|ST|t LT|1|adj=on|order=flip}} ferry with steel pontoons was installed.{{Cite report | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/bcsessional/1.0340109#p44z-4r0f:%22Kitwanga%22 |page=45 (N29) |title=Minister of Public Works annual report, 1947–48 |website=library.ubc.ca}}

When a strong gale in 1959 pushed the ferry upstream, the operator and passengers took six hours to pole across the river.{{sfn|Clapp|1991|p=22}}

An ice bridge was used during wintertime and a rowboat during the change of season.{{sfn|Clapp|1991|p=26}}

File:Kitwanga.jpg

In 1964, floodwaters collapsed both towers and severely damaged the ferry,{{Cite report | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/bcsessional/1.0364026#p104z-3r0f:%22ferry%22 |page=C105 |title=Minister of Highways annual report, 1964–65 |website=library.ubc.ca}} cancelling service for several years.{{Cite web | url=https://arch.tnrl.ca/pages/search/index.html?browse=false&s=ferry&f_pub=-1&f_year=1967&f_month=12&f_day=5 |page=A2 |title=Kamloops Daily Sentinel |date=5 Dec 1967 |website=arch.tnrl.ca}}

Contracts awarded in 1973 for the new bridge were the substructure to Dillingham ($962,387) and steelwork to Canron ($1,072,000).{{Cite report | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/bcsessional/1.0376296#p103z-3r0f:%22Kitwanga%22 |page=B104 |title=Minister of Highways annual report, 1973–74 |website=library.ubc.ca}} In 1975, the deck was awarded to Ansha Contracting ($429,370). Officially opened that November, the two-lane bridge included ice-pressure measurement equipment on one of the piers.{{Cite report | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/bcsessional/1.0377902#p43z-3r0f:%22Kitwanga%22 |pages=B44, B69, B78 |title=Minister of Highways and Public Works annual report, 1975–76 |website=library.ubc.ca}} The ferry was discontinued.{{sfn|Clapp|1991|p=18}}

In the early 1920s, First Nations in the Kitwanga Valley ejected government census takers, threatened European settlers, and blocked visitors from passing through the area.{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/nelsondaily/1.0401651#p0z-2r0f:%22Kitwanga%22 |page=1 |title=Daily News |date=22 Aug 1924 |website=library.ubc.ca}}

In 1960, when the province expropriated land for highway widening, the Kitwanga band demanded grossly inflated compensation and the prosecution of the highways minister.{{Cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/dailycolonist19601125/mode/1up?view=theater&q=kitwanga |page=1 |title=Daily Colonist |date=25 Nov 1960 | website=archive.org}}

In 1985, CN obtained a BC Supreme Court injunction to stop the band from obstructing the main line. However, access to the industrial park beside the track, which housed maintenance facilities, remained blocked.{{Cite web | url=http://pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca/fedora/repository/pgc:1985-12-09-03 |page=3 |title=Prince George Citizen |date=9 Dec 1985 |website=pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca}} A sawmill operated within the industrial park.{{Cite web | url=http://pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca/fedora/repository/pgc:1985-12-10-03 |page=3 |title=Prince George Citizen |date=10 Dec 1985 |website=pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca}} The long disputed land included the railyards, the railway right-of-way, and a {{convert|12|ha|acre|adj=on}} industrial park, which the band claimed was improperly transferred to the GTP at the time of railway construction in 1910.{{Cite web | url=http://pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca/fedora/repository/pgc:1985-12-11-03 |page=3 |title=Prince George Citizen |date=11 Dec 1985 |website=pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca}} In return for lifting the blockade, CN returned an {{convert|11|ha|acre|adj=on}} site to the band.{{Cite web | url=http://pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca/fedora/repository/pgc:1985-12-14-01 |page=1 |title=Prince George Citizen |date=14 Dec 1985 |website=pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca}}

File:Girl fishing in the Skeena River beside a dugout cedar canoe, Kitwanga (Gitwangak-Gitwangax) (41994622490).jpg

In 1986, a gathering of hereditary chiefs at Kitwanga affirmed their intention to defy federal and provincial fishery laws regarding the protection of endangered fish stocks.{{Cite web | url=http://pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca/fedora/repository/pgc:1986-07-03-01 |page=1 |title=Prince George Citizen |date=3 Jul 1986 |website=pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca}} Days later, Gitwangak members prevented three federal fisheries officers from entering reserve land to investigate illegal fishing.{{Cite web | url=http://pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca/fedora/repository/pgc:1986-07-04-03 |page=3 |title=Prince George Citizen |date=4 Jul 1986 |website=pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca}}

In 1990, the band blockaded a sawmill road following concerns over reduced lumber demand, which had resulted in 35 mill layoffs over a five-month period.{{Cite web | url=http://pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca/fedora/repository/pgc:1990-05-19-01 |page=1 |title=Prince George Citizen |date=19 May 1990 |website=pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca}} Periodic highway blockades caused a dramatic drop in tourist traffic on Highway 37 and threatened the mining and forestry industries.{{Cite web | url=http://pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca/fedora/repository/pgc:1990-08-17-03 |page=3 |title=Prince George Citizen |date=17 Aug 1990 |website=pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca}}

In 1992, the band defied a court order to end a two-week blockade of a logging road.{{Cite web | url=http://pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca/fedora/repository/pgc:1992-02-07-01 |page=1 |title=Prince George Citizen |date=7 Feb 1992 |website=pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca}} Later that year, when three band members were charged with defying a court injunction, a five-day blockade of the CN rail line ended.{{Cite web | url=http://pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca/fedora/repository/pgc:1992-09-23-02 |page=1 |title=Prince George Citizen |date=23 Sep 1992 |website=pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca}}

Released in 1994, the 90-minute documentary "Blockade" was filmed over a 15-month period. The subject matter was the ongoing conflict between two histories. Further examples were the Gitwangak blocking the logging crews of a family who had been settlers since the 1930s and a mob forcing seniors from their freehold property.{{Cite web | url=http://pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca/fedora/repository/qun:1994-04-01-06 |page=6 |title=Prince George Free Press |date=1 Apr 1994 |website=pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca}}

In 2002, an Edmonton resident was fined $12,000 for illegally importing tainted salmon from Kitwanga, which had been caught using an aboriginal communal licence.{{Cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/search/#lnd=1&query=%22Kitwanga+area+east%22&ymd=2002-06-07&t=11420 |page=20 |title=Vancouver Sun |date=7 Jun 2002 |quote= | website=www.newspapers.com}}
{{Cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/search/#lnd=1&query=%22Kitwanga%22&ymd=2002-06-12&t=5978 |page=7 |title=Terrace Standard |date=12 Jun 2002 |quote= | website=www.newspapers.com}} Two months later, the Gitxsan of Kitwanga proceeded to sell fish illegally.{{Cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/search/#lnd=1&query=%22groups+plan%22&ymd=2002-08-14&t=5978 |page=8 |title=Terrace Standard |date=14 Aug 2002 |quote=Gitxsan nation members…set up camp…a few kilometres east of Kitwanga…The group's plan is to harvest sockeye salmon and to sell them from a highway stand to non-native passerby... | website=www.newspapers.com}}

In 2013, the CN line was blockaded for a day at Kitwanga.{{Cite web | url=http://pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca/fedora/repository/pgc:2013-01-17-07 |page=7 |title=Prince George Citizen |date=17 Jan 2013 |website=pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca}}

In 2017, the elected band chief obtained a court order to remove a group of hereditary chiefs and other protesters from the band office.{{Cite web | url=https://www.albernivalleynews.com/national-news/b-c-court-sides-with-first-nations-band-orders-end-to-office-occupation-685588 |title=Alberni Valley News |date=24 Feb 2017 |website=www.albernivalleynews.com}}

A Kitwanga Lumber Co sawmill existed from the mid to late 1920s.{{Cite web | url=https://bccd.vpl.ca/title/1926/Wrigley%27s_British_Columbia_Directory.html |title=1926 BC Directory |website=www.bccd.vpl.ca}}
to {{Cite web | url=https://bccd.vpl.ca/title/1928/Wrigley%27s_British_Columbia_Directory.html |title=1928 BC Directory |website=www.bccd.vpl.ca}}

In the 1930s Roy Doll started a sawmill on his property. In partnership with his brother Leon they created Kitwanga Sawmill and were the main employer through the 1940s and 1950s. In 1960 they sold their interests to Vernon, Lorne, and Alvin Hobenshield who operated as ALV.

In 1963, locally owned Kitwanga Lumber Co established a sawmill.

In 1970, Columbia Cellulose acquired the other Kitwanga mill.{{cite report | url=https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/farming-natural-resources-and-industry/forestry/timber-tenures/tree-farm-licence/management-plans/appendix__1__mp_10__history_tfl_1_july_15.pdf#page=7 |pages=7–8 (3–4) |title=Appendix 1: The History of Tree Farm Licence 1 |website=www2.gov.bc.ca}} In 1973, the province acquired Columbia Cellulose and created a new company called Canadian Cellulose.{{Cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/dailycolonist19730701/page/n11/mode/1up?view=theater&q=kitwanga |page=12 |title=Daily Colonist |date=1 Jul 1973 | website=archive.org}}

In 1981, the company announced that shift cut backs were not likely at the Kitwanga mill.{{Cite web | url=http://pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca/fedora/repository/pgc:1981-03-05-03 |page=3 |title=Prince George Citizen |date=5 Mar 1981 |website=pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca}} That year, Canadian Cellulose was renamed BC Timber. In 1982, the mill only operated in June. Employees rejected a proposal to reopen for 10 weeks to yearend.{{Cite web | url=http://pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca/fedora/repository/pgc:1982-10-07-03 |page=3 |title=Prince George Citizen |date=7 Oct 1982 |website=pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca}} The installation of new machinery, a government training grant, and the prospect of new markets, facilitated reopening a month later.{{Cite web | url=http://pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca/fedora/repository/pgc:1982-11-09-09 |page=9 |title=Prince George Citizen |date=9 Nov 1982 |website=pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca}} However, the future remained uncertain.{{Cite web | url=http://pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca/fedora/repository/pgc:1982-11-22-03 |page=3 |title=Prince George Citizen |date=22 Nov 1982 |website=pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca}}

In 1984, BC Timber was renamed Westar Timber. The Kitwanga sawmill, which specialized in export products, was able to sell lumber at premium prices.{{Cite web | url=http://pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca/fedora/repository/pgc:1988-01-27-03 |page=3 |title=Prince George Citizen |date=27 Jan 1988 |website=pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca}} In 1986, Skeena Cellulose, a subsidiary of Repap Industries, bought the Westar assets.

Unable to sell their Kitwanga mill, Repap implemented another period of closure in 1993.{{Cite web | url=http://pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca/fedora/repository/pgc:1993-03-02-02 |page=2 |title=Prince George Citizen |date=2 Mar 1993 |website=pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca}} Repap purchased a stake in the mill and licences of Kitwanga Lumber Co in 1995 and took full control in 1999. Skeena Cellulose was renamed Repap BC in 1996. The next year, the name reverted to Skeena Cellulose and the insolvent group ceased operations in June but restarted in October after restructuring. In 2002, NWBC Timber and Pulp bought the group.{{Cite web | url=https://archive.news.gov.bc.ca/releases/archive/2001-2005/2002cse0011-000101.htm |title=Skeena Cellulose Sale Complete |date=30 Apr 2002 |website=news.gov.bc.ca}}

During that intermediary period, Skeena received $400 million in various forms of loans from the province,{{Cite web | url=https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2003/01/lab-j07.html |title=Skeena Cellulose (BC Mill) workers reject concessions contract |date=7 Jan 2003 |website=www.wsws.org}} while Kitwanga and the associated BC mills operated intermittently.{{Cite web | url=http://pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca/fedora/repository/pgc:2000-11-16-07 |page=7 |title=Prince George Citizen |date=16 Nov 2000 |website=pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca}}
{{Cite web | url=http://pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca/fedora/repository/PGC:2001-11-08-05 |page=5 |title=Prince George Citizen |date=8 Nov 2001 |website=pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca}} In 2002, NWBC demanded wage cuts prior to reopening. The next year, Skeena Cellulose was renamed New Skeena Forest Products.{{Cite web | url=https://www.pulpandpapercanada.com/nwbc-launches-new-skeena-forest-products-inc-1000015067 |title=Pulp & Paper Canada |date=18 Feb 2003 |website=www.pulpandpapercanada.com}}

In 2004, the company sold the two Kitwanga mills.{{Cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/search/#lnd=1&query=%22Loggers+and+mill%22&ymd=2004-02-25&t=5978 |page=3 |title=Terrace Standard |date=25 Feb 2004 |quote= | website=www.newspapers.com}}
{{Cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/search/#lnd=1&query=%22Kitwanga+Sawmill%22&ymd=2004-04-08&t=11420 |page=70 |title=Vancouver Sun |date=8 Apr 2004 |quote= | website=www.newspapers.com}} The next year, the Kitwanga Lumber mill sold again.{{Cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/search/#lnd=1&query=%22deal+to+buy+the+mill%22&ymd=2005-05-04&t=5978 |page=15 |title=Terrace Standard |date=4 May 2005 |quote=Kitwanga Lumber was started by the Hobenshield family in 1963 before being sold to the now-defunct Skeena Cellulose. It then came under the control of New Skeena Forest Products also now defunct, when it bought Skeena Cellulose. A company called Westex Alberta then struck a deal to buy the mill from New Skeena but it is now owned by Baljit Gill of Surrey. | website=www.newspapers.com}}

The Kitwanga Lumber mill closed in fall 2008{{Cite web | url=http://pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca/fedora/repository/pgc:2009-09-09-05 |page=5 |title=Prince George Citizen |date=9 Sep 2009 |website=pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca}} and was purchased by Pacific Bioenergy in 2009. Reopened in June 2011 to provide the raw waste material for a wood pellet plant,{{Cite web | url=http://pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca/fedora/repository/pgc:2011-06-10-04 |page=4 |title=Prince George Citizen |date=10 Jun 2011 |website=pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca}} production ceased in October, and the company filed for bankruptcy protection in December.{{Cite web | url=https://www.terracestandard.com/news/mill-applies-for-bankruptcy-protection |title=Terrace Standard |date=7 Dec 2011 |website=www.terracestandard.com}}

The mill restarted{{Cite web | url=http://pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca/fedora/repository/pgc:2017-07-22-04 |page=4 |title=Prince George Citizen |date=22 Jul 2017 |website=pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca}} and has operated as Kitwanga Forest Products.{{Cite report | url=https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/farming-natural-resources-and-industry/forestry/fibre-mills/2019_mill_list_report_final.pdf#page=40 |page=40 (148) |title=2019 Major Timber Processing Facilities in British Columbia |website=www2.gov.bc.ca}}

By 1910, settlers had found the valley ideal for potato crops.{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/omineca/1.0083209#p4z-4r0f:%22Kitwangak%22 |page=5 |title=Omineca Herald |date=12 Aug 1911 |website=library.ubc.ca}}

Rev. A. E. Price was the inaugural postmaster 1910–1911.{{cite web |url=https://recherche-collection-search.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/home/record?app=posoffposmas&IdNumber=12289 |title=Postmasters |website=www.bac-lac.gc.ca}}

In 1912, North Coast Land established an experimental orchard nearby.{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/ominecaminer/1.0083480#p0z-4r0f:%22Kitwangak%22 |page=1 |title=Omineca Miner |date=21 Dec 1912 |website=library.ubc.ca}} Apple trees were planted initially.{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/prj/1.0311970#p3z-3r0f:%22Kitwangah%22 |page=4 |title=Prince Rupert Journal |date=27 Mar 1913 |website=library.ubc.ca}}

File:View from northwest of window in old jail, Kitwanga (65361).jpg

In 1915, the first general store opened.{{Cite web | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/ominecaminer/1.0083297#p0z-4r0f:%22Kitwangak%22 |page=1 |title=Omineca Miner |date=6 Mar 1915 |website=library.ubc.ca}} Three additional general stores, plus a grocer, followed, signalling a peak in retail outlets, which ended with the establishment of the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) store{{Cite web | url=https://bccd.vpl.ca/title/1926/Wrigley%27s_British_Columbia_Directory.html |title=1926 BC Directory |website=www.bccd.vpl.ca}} in 1925.{{Cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/search/#lnd=1&query=%22time+is+to+take%22&ymd=1925-12-16&t=11779 |page=2 |title=Interior News |date=16 Dec 1925 |quote=Hudson's Bay Company…new post established by the company on the edge of the Kitwanga reserve. | website=www.newspapers.com}}

The public cemetery, which appears to have existed by this time, was enlarged in 1939.{{Cite web | url=https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/oic/arc_oic/1125_1939 |title=Executive Order |date=16 Aug 1939 |website=www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca}}

In 1927, an RCMP constable took up residence.{{Cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/search/#lnd=1&query=%22Kitwanga%22&ymd=1927-11-02&t=11779 |page=3 |title=Interior News |date=2 Nov 1927 |quote= | website=www.newspapers.com}} In 1929, the RCMP detachment closed.{{Cite report | url=https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/lbrr/archives/rcmp-rrcmp-1930-eng.pdf#page=32 |page=32 (30) |title=Royal Canadian Mounted Police annual report, 1930 |website=www.publicsafety.gc.ca}}

During the 1950s to 1980s, Doll's service station was the only one in the area.{{Cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/search/#lnd=1&query=%22gallon+level%22&ymd=1973-09-05&t=11779 |page=3 |title=Interior News |date=5 Sep 1973 |quote= | website=www.newspapers.com}}
{{Cite web | url=https://www.interior-news.com/obituaries/alice-doll |title=Interior News |date=17 Dec 2020 | website=www.interior-news.com}} This Esso outlet operated into the early 1990s.{{Cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/search/#lnd=1&query=%22Kitwanga+Esso%22&ymd=1992-10-14&t=11779 |page=8 |title=Interior News |date=14 Oct 1992 |quote= | website=www.newspapers.com}}

A new, larger post office building opened in 1966.{{Cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/search/#lnd=1&query=%22Kitwanga+now+has+a+new+post%22&ymd=1966-12-07&t=11779 |page=6 |title=Interior News |date=7 Dec 1966 |quote= | website=www.newspapers.com}}

The three local stores struggled to maintain sufficient funds to cash payroll cheques issued by the two sawmills during the early 1970s. Consequently, the RBC Hazelton branch introduced a sub-branch at Kitwanga, which opened one day per week in the corner of a general store.{{Cite web | url=http://pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca/fedora/repository/pgc:1973-11-02-03 |page=3 |title=Prince George Citizen |date=2 Nov 1973 |website=pgnewspapers.pgpl.ca}}

St. Saviour's Anglican church was active until the mid-1970s.{{Cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/search/#lnd=1&query=%22annual+spring+tea%22&ymd=1974-04-24&t=11779 |page=6 |title=Interior News |date=24 Apr 1974 |quote= | website=www.newspapers.com}}

In 1978, the band purchased the vacant HBC store for $1.{{Cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/search/#lnd=1&query=%22Kitwanga%22&ymd=1978-09-06&t=11779 |page=2 |title=Interior News |date=6 Sep 1978 |quote=…Bay…accepted the $1 purchase price of the store from Kitwanga band manager…The Kitwanga Bay was established in the 1920s after Hudson Bay governor Charles Winston Sales made a trip through the area in 1920. At that time the store was established mainly for the fur trade business and has served the residents of Kitwanga for groceries and hardware until its recent closure. | website=www.newspapers.com}} Near the railway track, the building was eventually demolished.{{Cite web | url=https://www.northamericanforts.com/Canada/bc-north.html#kit |title=Kitwanga Post |website=www.northamericanforts.com}}

In 1993, fires destroyed a machine shop{{Cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/search/#lnd=1&query=%22destroys+shop%22&ymd=1993-09-08&t=11779 |page=10 |title=Interior News |date=8 Sep 1993 |quote= | website=www.newspapers.com}} and the post office.{{Cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/search/#lnd=1&query=%22Monday+when+Kitwanga%22&ymd=1993-10-13&t=11779 |page=1 |title=Interior News |date=13 Oct 1993 |quote= | website=www.newspapers.com}} In 1994, a weekend reunion of past residents was held.{{Cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/search/#lnd=1&query=%22explosion+as+past%22&ymd=1994-08-17&t=5978 |page=19 |title=Terrace Standard |date=17 Aug 1994 |quote= | website=www.newspapers.com}} In 1996, Kitwanga received house numbering.{{Cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/search/#lnd=1&query=%22Regional+District+of+Kitimat%22&ymd=1996-07-03&t=11779 |page=16 |title=Interior News |date=3 Jul 1996 |quote=The Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine is undertaking a project this summer to provide house numbering and street addresses for Kitwanga. | website=www.newspapers.com}}

Around 2014, an ambulance station was set up in the former Forest Services building.{{Cite web | url=https://kitimatstikine.civicweb.net/document/32207/Notice%20of%20Motion%20-%20Support%20for%20Kitwanga%20Ambulance%20.pdf?handle=C06EBB8741D84576A40E8F3765982D82 |page=7 |title=Kitwanga Ambulance Station |date=8 Dec 2014 |website=kitimatstikine.civicweb.net}} Fundraising has continued with respect to a new building, which will have one bay for an ambulance and another for a firetruck, along with crew quarters and office space.{{Cite web | url=https://www.terracestandard.com/news/auction-adds-to-kitwanga-ambulance-station-construction-goal |title=Terrace Standard |date=10 Dec 2021 |website=www.terracestandard.com}}

In 2023, The 37 Grille burned to the ground.{{Cite web | url=https://www.terracestandard.com/news/no-one-injured-in-kitwanga-restaurant-fire-that-destroys-popular-eatery |title=Terrace Standard |date=5 Feb 2023 | website=www.terracestandard.com}}

Local infrastructure includes a general store,{{Cite web | url=https://all-opening-hours.ca/03980594/Kitwanga_General_Store |title=Kitwanga General Store | website=all-opening-hours.ca}} post office,{{Cite web | url=https://www.canadapost-postescanada.ca/information/app/fpo/personal/findpostofficedetail?outletId=0000643688 |title=Kitwanga PO | website=www.canadapost-postescanada.ca}} and two campgrounds.{{Cite web | url=https://www.1000towns.ca/kitwanga-british-columbia |title=Top 6 Places to Visit in Kitwanga | website=www.1000towns.ca}}

In 1921–22, the public school opened.{{Cite report | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/bcsessional/1.0225859#p11z-3r0f:%22Kitwanga%22 |page=C12 |title=Public Schools annual report, 1921–22 |website=library.ubc.ca}}

In 1949–50, the school was enlarged and modernized.{{Cite report | url=https://open.library.ubc.ca/viewer/bcsessional/1.0342765#p83z-3r0f:%22Kitwanga%22 |page=O84 |title=Public Schools annual report, 1949–50 |website=library.ubc.ca}}

To handle the influx from the closure of the reserve day school, the provincial public school was rebuilt. Comprising four classrooms, an activity room, change rooms, library, and office,{{Cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/search/#lnd=1&query=%22school+consisting%22&ymd=1973-10-31&t=11779 |page=10 |title=Interior News |date=31 Oct 1973 |quote= | website=www.newspapers.com}} the complex opened in November 1975.{{Cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/search/#lnd=1&query=%22reception.+Dent%22&ymd=1975-11-26&t=11779 |page=3 |title=Interior News |date=26 Nov 1975 |quote= | website=www.newspapers.com}} A further $1,350,000 extension to the school in 1979 introduced grades 8–10.{{Cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/search/#lnd=1&query=%22reception+followed%22&ymd=1979-06-20&t=11779 |page=24 |title=Interior News |date=20 Jun 1979 |quote=…opening the $1,350,000 building,,,This addition will enable students of grades 8, 9 and 10 from the area to attend where formerly they were bussed to Hazelton Secondary. | website=www.newspapers.com}}

In 1989, the school celebrated the 10th anniversary of including junior secondary grades.{{Cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/search/#lnd=1&query=%22evening+also+marks%22&ymd=1989-05-31&t=5978 |page=14 |title=Terrace Standard |date=31 May 1989 |quote=The Kitwanga Elementary-Junior Secondary School marks its 10th anniversary…also marks the graduation of Grade 10 students, the first class to start and complete at the school. | website=www.newspapers.com}}

In 2004, the school reverted to elementary grades only.{{Cite web | url=https://archive.news.gov.bc.ca/releases/archive/2001-2005/2004bced0056-000769-attachment2.pdf#page=5 |page=5 |title=151 Schools Get Internet Upgrades |date=28 Sep 2004 |website=news.gov.bc.ca}}

Part of School District 82 Coast Mountains, Kitwanga Elementary has about 70 enrolled students of which most,{{Cite report | url=https://cmsd.bc.ca/assets/files/pages/school-plans/Kitwanga-Elementary-2022-2023-School-Growth-Plan.pdf |page=1 |title=Kitwanga Elementary Enquiry, 2022–23 |website=cmsd.bc.ca}} if not all, are indigenous.{{Cite web | url=http://kitwanga.cmsd.bc.ca/about-our-school |title=Kitwanga Elementary School |website=cmsd.bc.ca}}

• Jason Haldane, (1971– ), volleyball player, resident.{{Cite web | url=https://www.meadowdalevolleyball.com/camps.html |title=Jason Haldane – Lead Camp Coach | website=www.meadowdalevolleyball.com}}
• Judith P. Morgan, painter (1930–2016 ), place of birth and resident.{{Cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/dailycolonist0849uvic_2/page/n5/mode/1up?view=theater&q=kitwanga |p=6 |title=Daily Colonist |date=5 Aug 1949 | website=archive.org}}

• {{Cite web | url=https://www.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/detail/RUMSEY~8~1~325740~90094661:1937-road-map-of-British-Columbia |title=Standard Oil BC map |year=1937 |website=www.davidrumsey.com}}
• {{Cite web | url=https://www.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/workspace/handleMediaPlayer;JSESSIONID=83caf6bd-5c13-4a2d-8744-65fde1e6d603?lunaMediaId=RUMSEY~8~1~212315~5500350 |title=Shell BC map |year=1956 |website=www.davidrumsey.com}}

• List of Inland Ferries in British Columbia

• {{cite thesis | url=https://macsphere.mcmaster.ca/handle/11375/6828 |last=Prince |first=Paul |title=Settlement, Trade and Social Ranking at Kitwanga, B.C. |year=1998 |type=PhD |website=mcmaster.ca}}

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• {{cite book|last=Clapp |first=Frank A. |title=Ministry of Transportation and Highways, Lake and River Ferries |publisher=Ministry of Transportation and Highways |year=1991 |isbn=0-7726-1364-8}}

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Category:Unincorporated settlements in British Columbia

Category:Populated places in the Regional District of Kitimat–Stikine

Category:Skeena Country

Category:Gitxsan