Tsimshian Villages

The historical importance of Port Simpson is of particular interest in its effect on the Coast Tsimshian. The construction of Fort Simpson immediately changed the lives of these peoples in that traditional winter villages (except Kitkatla) were abandoned for the advantages the Fort offered in trade and protection. In the village surrounding the fort there gathered more than 2,000 Tsimshian who were free for much of the time to pursue their traditional ceremonies and arts. Centralizing the formerly autonomous groups expanded the size of the political unit, which came to recognize the leadership of "super chiefs".