Coast Tsimshian Seafood
Coast Tsimshian Seafood is located on the remote northwest coast of British Columbia at the end of what was once called the Forgotten Road. This one-of-a-kind location means we aren’t just close to nature, we are part of it.
We produce a variety of locally-sourced fish products from the cold waters of the Northern Pacific Ocean, including Wild Salmon, Wild Salmon Caviar, Flounder, Sole, and Pacific Cod.
Location & Significant Feature
Lax Kw’alaams is at the mouth Portland Canal, a huge fjord draining the Nass River and the glacial fed watersheds on Canada’s northern coastline border with Alaska.
Mission
Our community-owned Federally-certified fish processing plant is the first and only locally run plant of its kind in British Columbia. Our company is the biggest employer in Lax Kw’alaams and has played a major role in supporting the fishing industry of BC’s northern waters.
Traditions
For thousands of years, the wealth of the ocean was a cornerstone of Tsimshian society and economy, and the prolific salmon runs throughout our vast territories are a source of prosperity to the allied Tsimshian tribes.
Lax Kw’alaams is a coastal community, with deep ties to the surrounding marine environment. Our seafood processing facility provides a way for community members to develop and strengthen their connection with marine resources, either through fishing or processing. Many Elders in the community are skilled fish processors, and the company’s operations allows a way for them to pass that knowledge to younger community members.
The Tsimshian have a vast experience facilitating inter-tribal trade given their pivotal location on the coast. Tribal leaders originally utilized trade with Europeans to further develop their cultures under their own distinctive lines.
Sources: https://laxkwalaams.ca/traditional-economy-and-people/
History
Grease Trails
The Nine Tribes of Lax Kw’alaams have lived in their territories for more than 10,000 years and their traditional language is Sm’algyax.
One of the most important pre-contact events in Lax Kw’alaams history was a series of wars with invaders from the north, the Tlingit, about 2,000 years ago. During the course of this war, the Nine Tribes consolidated their efforts and became one of the region’s most powerful political, economic and military powers, then proceeded to expand their influence.
By the time of contact, the Nine Tribes’ territories stretched up to the mouth of the Nass River, along the Skeena River to present day Terrace, and along the coast. Their influence over trade expanded deep into the interior following the “Grease Trails”, named after routes used to transport dried and reduced Eulachon, and as far up the Skeena watershed as Kispiox.
The rise of Nine Tribes influence and their dynastic Houses, or societies, was not the result of an abundance of resources but through alliance building, strategic marriage and the deployment of military power.
Source: https://laxkwalaams.ca/history/
Modern Fishery
Lax Kw’alaams has a large population and a significant fishing fleet that averages 70 salmon fishing boats annually. It also owns the Coast Tsimshian Fisheries Ltd. and its processing facility – Coast Tsimshian Seafoods.
A large part of the business’s success is that it has been able to employ over 250 members every year. Formerly owned and operated independently of Lax Kw’alaams, the plant saw a revolving door of outside operators who never managed to keep the business in operation for more than a few years at a time.
With benefits to the community as the bottom-line, and a decision to pivot away from the unreliable Alaskan salmon processing industry toward our local stocks and the more regular and untapped market of groundfish, Coast Tsimshian Fish Plant has become a successful and profitable business.
Today, the community-owned company is the biggest employer in Lax Kw’alaams and has played a major role in supporting the fishing industry of the northern waters in BC.
Our Products
Lingcod
Lingcod is considered by many to be the tastiest of mild white-meat fishes in the cod family. The uncooked meat is translucent with a hint of marine blue in its depths, but once cooked the flesh is pure white. Its slightly sweet flavour and natural oils makes it lobster-like, distinguished by its large meaty flakes and lack of fine bones.
All of our Lingcod are wild-caught by Lax Kw’alaams Fisherman, just off the coast of British Columbia. Coast Tsimshian Seafood offers a variety of locally-sourced fish products from the cold waters of the Northern Pacific Ocean.
Our Products
Lingcod
This makes Lingcod meat a star ingredient in salads and as well as complex seafood dishes like casseroles and soups because it holds its shape well after cooking and it won’t compete with other flavours. Its firm texture makes perfect fillet strips for your favourite deep-fried fish and chip recipe, but it’s hard to beat hot or cold as a stand-alone portion, simply steam-cooked with a dash of salt and squeeze of lemon.
This code denotes a traceable sustainably harvested product. Product traceability is validated by Authentic Indigenous Seafood.
