Table of Contents


Aiyansh

Aiyansh, BC, Canada

aka: The Valley of Eternal Bloom

Note on Native History

Note on Native History

Note- This is only the European History of this area of the last hundred years or so. Of course this area is part of the Nisga'a Nation. I will leave the Nisga'a to record and publish their own history as I have limited information available to me. Also the term “Indian” is used where it is the historically accurate term in regards to job titles etc.. and is not meant in any derogatory way. I don't personally agree with the way the European came and took over this land, but I am not going to judge them here. Just as it is important to have a record of Native history in the area, I also feel these men and women need their history saved. This is the purpose of this web page.



From BC Geo, link below, Nisga'a name meaning “Place of the First Leaves” (in spring), or “Place of Early Blooming”.

Unincorporated Area

Lat- 55º 12' 15“ N
Long- 129º 4' 45” W

NE of junction of Ksi Sii Aks (Tseax River) and Nass River, Cassiar Land District

The Village of Aiyansh was founded in 1878 by the C.M.S. missionary, Robert Tomlinson, following the pattern of establishing native Christian villages separately from existing villages

Gitlaxt'aamiks or New Aiyansh is a Nisga'a Village about 100 km north of Terrace, in the heart of the Nass River valley, Canada

Old Aiyansh was on the other side of the Nass River.


Map of West Coast, BC, showing Aiyansh on the Naas (Nass) River, 2 miles down the Nass (Naas) River from the Nisga'a Native village of Gitlakdamiks

Holy Trinity Church, Aiyansh


“Old Aiyansh”
Rev. James Benjamin McCullagh's house at the back by itself I believe this is all gone with floods now. Nass River in foreground

Information by Year

1914

Constable Phillipson in charge- (see below) His Headquarters was in Prince Rupert

1916

Access was by steamer to Naas Harbour, then via motor boat or by Kitsumkalum Telegraph Trail Wagon road, 18 miles, and then Pack Trail 45 miles. Ferry Crosses River at Aiyansh

They had a Dominion Government Telegraph Station, Arthur Featherstone Priestley's Store, a School, Church,- Rev J. B. McCullagh (see below) Directory showed W. McCullagh

Industry- Farming and Stock Raising

Had a Native Village with a considerable Population

Trail Communication with Kitwancool, Kitwangar, Alice Arm, and Stewart, via Meziadin Lake

Residents

Nov 29, 1917

6ft flood swept thru the village, wiping out animals even

1923

Government Pre-Emption Reserve extends for 25 miles, 2 miles either side of the river, population 41 non-native, and 260 natives.

Residents

Post Office History

Name of Office: Aiyansh
Federal Electoral District: Comox - Atlin (BC)

Postmaster Information:

Name of Postmaster Date of Appointment Date of Vacancy Cause of Vacancy
Arthur Featherstone Priestley Aug 8, 1912 -1918 Resignation- closed

Office moved from Aiyansh to Upper Naas 6 miles above on the Naas River

Name of Office: Aiyansh
Federal Electoral District: Skeena (BC)

Dates:

Establishment Re-openings Closings
1917-05-01 1961-08-04
1964-02-01 -

Summer-Winter Schedule

Date Opened Date Closed
1950-10-01 1951-06-16
1951-11-01 1952-06-13
1952-10-16 1953-06-15
1953-10-20 1954-05-23
1954-10-18 1955-06-07
1955-10-24 1956-05-31
1956-10-25 1957-05-21
1957-10-21 1958-05-29
1958-10-21 1959-04-12
1959-12-08 1960-03-31

Postmaster Info

Name of Postmaster Military Status Date of Appointment Date of Vacancy Cause of Vacancy
Albert John Phillipson 1917-05-01 1918-01-03 Non-residence of postmaster
Rev. James Benjamin McCullagh 1918-01-05 1920-04-15 Resignation
Arthur Featherstone Priestley OAS 1920-06-05 1930-10-28 Resignation
Charles Herald Gray OAS 1930-12-01 1942-07-07 Resignation
John Thomas McCabe (see below) OAS 1942-08-10 Acting -
                “    ” 1942-11-16 1944-03-06 Resignation
Charles Herald Gray OAS 1944-04-12 1944-08-16 Resignation
Mrs Martha Kinley, nee Burton (see below) 1944-08-16 Acting -
                “ 1944-10-03 Jun-54 Resignation
Roderick Anthony Robinson 1954-10-18 1957-09-27 Resignation
Roger Mercer 1957-10-21 Acting -
            ” 1958-12-31 1959-03-29 Death
Roddy Vincent Tait 1959-12-08 Acting -
                “ 1960-04-01 1961-10-28 Resignation
Douglas McIntyre 1964-02-01 1966-02-23 Resignation
Mrs Lilian Pearl Munson 1966-04-14 Acting -
                  ” 1966-05-25 1967-09-14 Resignation
Miss Clara Janet Innes 1967-10-17 Acting -
                   “ 1967-12-04 1968-04-08 *
Nash Service Centre Co. Ltd 1968-04-09 Acting Temporarily closed
Mrs Louise P. Nisyok 1969-03-25 - -

Additional Information:
* Location - Naas River - 70 miles north of Terrace B.C. - 1964-02-01
* Note - 1960-04-01 status changed to year-round office.
* Other employment - Accounting - 1966-06-11
* Status - Year round - 1960-04-01
* Status - Year-round - 1917-05-01 - Winter office - 1950-10-01

Ext Links
Rev Oliver Thorne Story
https://www.northernsentinel.com/opinion/the-rev-oliver-thorne/



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