In 1993, Chief Stuart Doolan (Simoogit Txaat Guu Gaaks) took the initiative
to contact Chester Moore. He asked Mr. Moore to compose a song about
the village of Gingolx. The result was
Ksi Gingolx.
This song told the story of the river located behind Kincolith.
The song was practiced and then later performed at a gathering in
Prince
Rupert, B.C. The cultivation of this song helped the Nisga'a Dancers
become larger then ever before.
In 2000, the group became involved with the Kincolith Christ
Church to help raise funds to restore the 100 year old Church. The
'Hobiyee' or Nisga'a New Year was held in February of 2000. A Princess
and
Prince was chosen from each of the four tribes. The eight candidates
sold raffle tickets which raised over $15,000 for the Kincolith
Christ
Church restoration project.
The Hobiyee Celebration was electrifying, the performance spiritually
lifted the hearts of everyone involved. Hobiyee is
the Nisga'a New Year. The legend is that if the quarter moon (Hobiyee
moon) is in the shape of a bowl it means a good harvest for the year;
if it is
shaped
like a bowl that is being emptied it signifies a poor harvest for the
year.

Box Drummer, Craig Nelson
The Gingolx Nisga'a dancers practice Nisga's songs. As
we listen to the explanation of the songs we sing we gain new insight
of our own heritage. The togetherness
of the group helps us to build new friendships and remain close. The
facilitator, Chester Moore teaches a member of the group to lead.
The purpose of this is to help members become strong leaders.
Leaders of all tasks in our culture like the Cheifs, Matriarchs of our
past. The ability to be comfortable in the public eye takes practice.
Being a part of
the
dance
group provides this.
One of the expectations of the organization is to help individuals feel
good about their ablities and their accomplishments. Basically, the
practice
and togetherness helps to bring out the self-esteem and courage in a
person.
Chester has composed a skit for the group to learn. The skit
is about
a young lady whose grandmother tries to find a suitable husband for
her grand daughter so they could survive. It is based on a Nisga'a
story.