Joseph Gosnell

Joseph Arthur Gosnell Sr. (June 21, 1936 – August 18, 2020) was a Canadian politician who led the Nisga'a people of northern British Columbia.

The son of Eli and Mary Gosnell, he was born at Arrandale Cannery, and grew up in the village of New Aiyansh.

He received his formal education at St. Michael's Residential School in Port Alberni, British Columbia. As a young man, he worked as a fisherman. He later served as band councillor and became active in the Native Brotherhood of British Columbia, of which he eventually became chairman. He was also a member of the Pacific Salmon Commission. He served for many years on the Nisga'a Tribal Council, of which he was elected President in 1992. In these various positions he was instrumental in bringing modern medical care, education, and resource management to the Nass River Valley. He was the chief Nisga'a representative in the negotiations that led to the signing of the Nisga'a Treaty In 2001, he was named an Officer of the Order of Canada and was promoted to Companion in 2006. In 2002 he received the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal.

In 2012, he served as the first Visiting Distinguished Indigenous Scholar in Residence at the Vancouver School of Theology.