The name Gispaxlo'ots means literally "people of the place of elderberries."
Their traditional territory includes an area on the Skeena River between present-day Terrace and Prince Rupert.
Since 1834, when a Hudson's Bay Company trading fort was established at Lax Kw'alaams, they have been based there.
Their chief Ligeex permitted the HBC to build on Gispaxlo'ots territory.
Traditionally, the Gispaxlo'ots have been the most powerful of the Tsimshian tribes, due to the exploits and wealth of Ligeex, a great trading chief.