March/April 2015 - Tsilhqot`in National Government

Transcription

March/April 2015
Benen ?Eghutelog (March) The Month of melting snow
Benen Ne?ed I lh (April) The Month the birds come back
Keeping Our Communities Informed
Inside this issue:
Executive Director
2
Communications
3
Finance
4
Health
5-8
Employment
9
TUS
16-11
Fisheries
12-14
Stewardship
15-23
Title Newsletter
25-26
On March 31, 2015 the
Tsilhqot'in Nation
showed support for the
Wilderness Committee
during closing arguments
of the defamation law
suit filed by Taseko
Mines Limited.
Nemiah Declaration as Law and Recreation Sites
Authorized on Title Land
On March 19th the Tsilhqot’in Chiefs, on Title lands, enacted the Nemiah Declaration as law within the Title and larger Rights Area. This was a special day with the
Tsilhqot’in leadership surrounded by Elders during the signing ceremony. The
Nemiah Declaration can be viewed in English and Tsilhqot’in on the TNG
webpage at tsilhqotin.ca/About/Governance.htm.
Throughout the phase of transitioning the Title Area to Tsilhqot’in management
and control, there are certain things that will be authorized under previous management in order to bring stability to the Title Area. The opening of eight recreation
sites within the Title Area is an example of this. They have been authorized to open
with six of the recreation sites under Xeni Gwet’in management.
Tsilhqot’in Chiefs with Elders enact the Nemiah
Declaration as law in the declared Title and Rights Area.
253 Fourth Avenue North, Williams Lake, British Columbia, V2G 4T4, Phone: (250) 392-3918 FAX (250) 398-5798
Page 2
A Message from the Executive Director
Hello Everyone! March and April flew by and although it is spring, my next update
I will already be saying its summer.
Crystal Verhaeghe:
Executive Director
[email protected]
I have been fortunate to be present for a number of events over the last few
months. On March 12, 2015 the Tsilhqot’in Chiefs met with Minister’s Rustad,
Pollack and Rickford to discuss the overall next steps for the Title Areas and the
Tsilhqot’in Territory. Near the end of March it was decided between both the
Provincial government and the Tsilhqot’in Government to extend the ‘talks’ until
June 26, 2015, the anniversary date of the Title Declaration. Although it may seem
we are not working fast enough, we are definitely moving as fast as we can. By the
end of May/early June the Chiefs and Tsilhqot’in Support Team will be travelling
to communities to receive advice and feedback on a DRAFT agreement that would
be signed closer to June 26, 2015. The agreement is developed in a way to enable
healthy community participation over the next few years in developing a longer
term reconciliation agreement. Much time would be focused on establishing
capacity in the communities through workshops and strategically planning how the
members want to see our programs managed. This will be quite an undertaking.
Whew...the meetings!!!! On March 303, 2015 the Chiefs met with Mary Ellen
Trupel Lafond (Representative for Children and Youth) which is the oversight
body of Children and Families and they also met with the First Nations Leadership
Executive. On Apri 14, 2015 the Chifs were invited to meet with the Assembly of
First Nations Executive group which comprises the National Chief and each
Provincial Regional Chief. That evening our leaders met with Tsilhqot’in members
to do a Title Update in Vancouver. The members expressed their gratitude in
being included.
Their rarely has been a week that I haven’t been traveling, either with the TNG
Support team or with the Chiefs. We were honored to host the Alaska delegation
for a one hour meeting with the Chiefs. Further meetings and alliances will be
discussed. As well from May 10-13, 2015 the Chiefs will be meeting with the
Yukon First Nations in Whitehorse and surrounding area. I am looking forward to
summer to spend some time getting grounded in my garden and biking with my
husband. I can’t wait to attend the community culture camps this year and spend
time with everyone.
This April 8, 2015 marked the six years that I have been with the Executive
Director for the TNG. I have been working for the TNG overall for nine (9)
years. I can say that I have witnessed in nine years dramatic growth in all of our
communities and at the Nation level. I am proud to be working for the Tsilhqot’in
and I am proud to be connected as an ?Esdilagh member back to my roots. This
has been a rewarding nine years.
Sechanalyah everyone!
Page 3
Title Implementation and Communication
Dzinas gu?en (afternoon) everyone. Throughout the Winter and Spring my
position as communication coordinator remains reallocated to focus in
implementing the Title Decision and work closely with the Tsilhqot’in Chiefs.
On page 25 and 26 you will find two Title Case Newsletters that were published
during March and April 2015. If you would like to be on the email list to receive
these, please email me at [email protected]. TNG has also recently started a
Facebook page. Like us on Facebook under the name “Tsilhqot’in National
Government.”
My time has also been taken up as the TNG works through negotiations with BC
on implementing Title as well as working through an agreement for the entire
Tsilhqot’in territory. This is an interesting time as transitioning the Title land to
Tsilhqot’in management and control rolls out, as well as other projects begin on the
territory. An exciting project is the placing mileage signs along Highway 20 with
community names and kilometres.
Myanna Desaulniers: Communication Coordinator
M.A Communication
[email protected]
Coordinating speaking engagements between the Chiefs and different First
Nations, non-profit organizations and businesses continues. When these speaking
engagement are open to the public, I will make sure a notice is on the Facebook
page and sent out on the email list serve.
Page 4
A Message from Finance
It looks like Spring is here to stay! I recently returned from a visit to see kids and grandkids – it was a most enjoyable time.
This is one of the busiest times of the year in the finance department. We are finalizing
budgets, working on the year-end for our yearly audit and completing other year end
reports required for various funders and organizations.
I never sit around bored with nothing to do – that’s for sure!
Hope you are all having a great Spring. I have started work in my greenhouse; it is always
great to play in the dirt.
Betty Derksen: Finance
Officer—Office Manager
[email protected]
Financial Administrative Assistant
Hello, Happy Spring, even with a bit of snow. Since I have started my position, I
have being very busy. As previously mentioned my main job duties entail accounts
payables, accounts receivable, and other administrative duties. Besides my work I
was able to take training , so back in March, Danna Gilpin, Sherry Stump and I
participated in the Indian Registry Reporting training in
Kamloops, it was a very intense course but it was worth it. There
were over 30 participants from all over BC that took the training. I
will now be able to assist the Daana Gilpin with status cards on
Fridays at the TNG office. I am currently assisting with year-end
and looking forward to future events like the OASIS in Tsi Deldel
and the Aboriginal Day event.
Tracy Lulua Gilpin
Finance Assistant
[email protected]
Page 5
Health: Traditional Wellness and Physio!
It is such an exciting time of year and we have a lot going on in Health. The Hub
Committee is working hard to ensure that all communities have the same opportunity
for services regardless of the size of the community.
Mental Health Clinicians are now available in all communities at least two days per
month. Some communities have one day per week. Physiotherapists are also working
in the communities and helping with health prevention.
A garden specialist will be coming soon to communities to help communities enhance
their current gardens or start up new ones.
Connie Jasper: Health Hub
Coordinator
[email protected]
An elders home feasibility study is also in the works. Elders will be interviewed and
asked what they would want in an elders home.
A Traditional Wellness Coordinator will be hired at the Nation level to develop a plan
on how we can incorporate traditional medicines and healers into our current health
plans.
We have hired a dental assistant to do education in schools, headstart and daycare on
caring for their teeth. She will be visiting each of our communities.
Electronic Data systems are currently being investigated to find out what system will
work in our Nation. This will allow all the health professionals to be linked together.
Thank you to the Health Hub Committee that continues to support their
communities to ensure that we have the best services available to our
community members.
Crisis Response Training will be held in May and July of 2015. The
purpose of the training will be to train a number of people who can be part
of a response team that will respond to communities when there is a critical
incident. Suicide Training will also be available so that communities can
prevent suicides and respond appropriately.
We held an HIV Aids awareness workshop for youth on April 15th. It was
attended by approximately 50 youth. There were two HIV survivors there
to tell their stories. Trevor Mack will making a YouTube Video from
footage he took during that event.
Our second annual Nation Walk/Run Event will take place in Tl’esqox
(Toosey) on June 16, 2015. There will be a 5 km walk, 5 km run, 10 km
walk and 10 km run. It is free to attend and prizes will be given to all
participants. There is also be a competitive component for the runners of
the 5 km and 10 kms. Thanks to Gina Johnny from Tl’esqox who will be
co hosting this event with the TNG Health Committee.
Wishing everyone good health and remember that being healthy is our own
responsibility .
2nd Annual
Tsilhqot’in Nation—Walk Run Event
5 or 10 Kms
When:
June 16, 2015
Where: Tl’esqox (Toosey)
Start Time:
10:00 (Staggered Start)
10 Km walkers will start at 10:00 am
CATEGORY
PRIZES
10 Km runners will start at 10:30 am
5 Km walkers/runners start at 10:30 am
Water Stations
and Health
snacks
Lunch
Provided
Registration is required. Forms are available at Health Stations or TNG
For More Information please contact your Health Stations or call Connie Jasper @ 250 392-3918
Sponsored by First Nations Health Authority
Mental Health: Healing
March was a busy month for me as the Mental
Health Navigator; I attended a few workshops such
as Trauma Informed Practice, Dementia Caregivers
Workshop and of course the Traditional/Alternative Wellness Symposium hosted by
TNG.
Tanya Mores, BSW
Mental Health Navigator
[email protected]
Anyone who is interested in any of the workshop
materials, please let me (Tanya Mores, Mental
Health Navigator) know and I will email it to you.
If you do not have an email address, we can figure
out a way to get it to you.
Photos from March 24/25 Traditional Wellness Days
Traditional/Alternative Wellness Symposium
On March 24 & 25, 2015, TNG hosted the Traditional/Alternative Wellness
Symposium, held at the Riske Creek Old School in Tl’esqox. Tsilhqot’in National
Government Health’s vision was to bring the Tsilhqot’in Nation together to
reconnect with each other and give individuals an opportunity to experience
practitioners who provide services from a Traditional/Alternative Wellness &
Medicine framework.
The goal was to have a wide range of health care practices, products, and therapies
available in one area. The services included new and traditional service practices
such as Homeopathy, Naturopathy, Physiotherapy, Energy Medicine, various
forms of Traditional First Nation Medicine, along with Reiki, Tarot Card readings,
Astrology readings, Pilates, Touch For Health and a Zyto Machine.
In addition, a sweat lodge was constructed and available for men and women to participate in a traditional
sweat. More booths were set up around the gym that offered hairstyling, nail painting, native art work,
educational material on health, a nurse providing blood pressure readings and educational pamphlets.
During the two day event, we had different Key Note Speakers. Day One, Joanna Haines spoke about all
the women healers in her community and surrounding area. Day Two, Norm Pratt from Nelson, BC talked
about his life as an intuitive healer, and at lunch we had Joan Gentles tell stories about her life.
The event was successful and everyone who attended had a great time. Thanks to the organizing committee
and all those that attended for a wonderful two days.
Page 9
Employment Assistant Services
Employment Assistant Services
Daana Gilpin
Employment Coordinator
[email protected]
Community Visit Schedule
May 2015
Tuesday May 12th – Yunesit’in (Stone)
Thursday May 14th – Tsi Deldel (Redstone)
Tuesday May 19th – Tl’etinqox (Anaham)
Tuesday May 26th - ?Esdilagh (Alexandria), (Tentative)
Wednesday May 27th – Xeni Gwet’in First Nations (Nemiah)
Thursday May 28th – Tl’esqox (Toosey)
Thank you,
Daana Gilpin
Page 10
Traditional Use Study Project
The Traditional Use Study has been going well. Geraldine and Shane have been
busy with interviews for the past few weeks and have been able to document a lot
of important knowledge. But we still have a lot of work to do, so please keep us in
mind and give us a call at the TNG office if you or someone you know wishes to
be interviewed. We’re now interviewing any Tsilhqot’in person with knowledge of
the territory, culture, language, traditions, and/or history.
Geraldine Charleyboy
TUS
[email protected]
We have received funding through BC Capacity Initiative to continue doing interviews for another year, which will not only allow us to do more interviews, but it
will also allow us to process the interview recordings for use in educational
programs. This is a very important and very exciting time for the Nation.
Shane Doddridge, B.A.
TUS-GIS
[email protected]
Healer Cecil Grinder and Elder Melanie Bobby at
Traditional Wellness Workshop on March 24, 2015
Page 11
Stories on Tape
Happy Spring everyone!
In January TNG purchased a second set of digitization equipment for transferring
cassette tape audio from the 1999-2001 Traditional Use Study into WAV and MP3
audio files. Digital audio files are ideal for a number of reasons:



Brooke Albers
Digitization Tech.
[email protected]
Wildhorse
They are easy to back up and protect;
They may be audio-engineered to improve sound quality; and
Language and cultural education resources may, with permission, be created by
extracting ‘clips’ from full interviews.
Well over half of the compact cassettes are now digitized. Due to the lower quality
of many of the tapes (background hiss and buzz) I have been researching noise
reduction equipment in hopes that some of the semi-inaudible tapes may be
repaired. Without specialized equipment it is not possible to remove tape hiss
without also reducing the quality of voices significantly. The TUS team has applied
for a grant through the University of British Columbia requesting funds to purchase
an audio repair tool called RX4 Advanced by Izotope. It is very exciting to imagine
the possibilities for regaining some of the lost audio and improving the quality of
older tapes which have degraded over time. In particular, the 66 older recordings
(1960s and later) still on order from the Royal BC Museum may be engineered to a
higher quality.
On a more personal note, on April 23rd I had the opportunity to hitch a ride with Daana Gilpin and Sherry
Stump on their trip out to Xeni Gwet’in. Margaret Lulua, Susie Lulua, and Wayne Lulua took time out of
their day to take a few of us TNG employees out to some of the most amazing places I have ever seen.
Highlights included the beautiful wild horses, a delicious meal prepared by culinary arts students, informal
language lessons from Wayne Lulua, visiting the traditional campsite, and a couple of very fuzzy bear cubs
- one the colour of honey. I didn’t point at anything, just in case.
I had never been in the Chilcotin until this past fall; it is such a special, unique place and I appreciate
having the opportunity to learn its history from Tsilhqot’in community members- both recorded and in
person. Whenever possible I think it’s important to say that I
promise to continue to respect the knowledge shared on the
On the Shore of Chilko Lake
TUS tapes by honouring the confidentiality agreement that was
signed before the digitization project began. I thank all
communities for your trust; I am so fortunate to be able to
help with this project.
Page 12
Fisheries February/March Update
Tsilhqot’in Nation Government Fisheries Update by Paul Grinder (Fisheries
coordinator)
Commercial Fisheries Enterprise (CFE)
Paul Grinder: Fisheries
Coordinator
[email protected]
This is an inland commercial fisheries opportunity…..meaning that fish can only be
caught and sold when they enter their home stream. An example of this would be
the Chilko run. This way, only Chilko river fish will be caught in the Chilko/
Chilcotin river. This will hopefully allow for other streams along the Fraser to
rebound from the continuing downfall of their stocks. This takes away from
commercial fisheries in the lower areas (ocean) where all fish stocks travelling
together will be caught as an aggregate (different salmon stocks grouped together
due to their similar travel timing). This is a factor whether the stocks being caught
are low in numbers travelling with stocks that are high in numbers.
Meeting are continuing to discuss ways of advancing the company and ways of
distributing the finished salmon products, and making business connection with
other first nation groups that are also in this process. We are waiting to hear on
funding distribution for the 2015 season. Follow up meeting will be held in the
future prior to fishing season to discuss the direction TNG and CFE will move
toward. A fish wheel, located below Alexis Creek Bridge, was utilized last season and
will be again this year. Improvements on the fish wheel will be ongoing.
Site Checks
We have been doing fishing site checks along the Chilko/Chilcotin rivers. Annual
checks are necessary to avoid any unneeded accidents occurring from faulty dip
stands. The CFE Site, below Alexis Creek bridge, will again be utilized and potential
upgrading may be required. This site, along with other potential site(s) will be
utilized for catching salmon that will be sold on the open market in conjunction with
the Upper Fraser Fishery organization. We have also been doing site checks to
determine the fishing effort on local Steelhead fishing effort. Fishing has been
opened up to all areas due to the quick melt of the river ice.
Upper Fraser Fisheries Conservation Alliance (UFFC)
April 23/ 2015 Randy and I will be the next UFFCA general meeting, to be held in
Quesnel. The Taseko stocks (Sockeye, Chinook) are still identified as a priority for
the Upper Fraser tribes. Fishery issues from the previous and upcoming summer are
continuing to being discussed through the IFMP (Integrated Fisheries Management
Plan), and the failing Early Stuart run is a constant reminder we must also address as
a priority, to avoid having any other stocks drifting into the same danger area. This
working group is comprised of the majority of the upper Fraser First Nation groups
and DFO.
Page 13
Fisheries Continued
Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy (AFS)
We are in the process of finishing off this past year’s budget and preparing for the
2015/16 season. As that is completed, we will be informing the communities of
the budget, and how we will be managing our program. This information will be
sent via e-mail and newsletters and Chief’s meetings. We are starting early as to
have the agreement in place, and have our finance up to speed on our program
prior to fishing season. This will allow us to continue our program and have
better success of our fisheries. Having a multi-year agreement makes financial
transitions easier for the upcoming years, where we do not have to wait for
funding dollars.
Chinook Issues
Chinook issues have been an ongoing discussion. The decline in Chinook numbers throughout the Fraser
watershed is an ongoing topic. Continued meetings and discussions with other groups on the Fraser and
approach groups (Vancouver Island) are ongoing. Request have been placed forth through letters to the
government to continue funding the Chinook tagging program at Chilko Lake. Added to this, we have a
work plan in place to continue a monitoring program for the Taseko stock. Due to the coloration of the
water, and the inability to visually count the salmon travelling through this water, a DIDSON (Duelfrequency Identification Sonar) will be utilized on this system. We will be making efforts to monitor the
number of Sockeye and Chinook salmon that enter this system through our AFS agreement, with in kind
assistance from biologists who work for the UFFCA organization to off-set the costs of doing this project.
We will also be assisted by DFO technicians who have had many years of experience on DIDSON (Duelfrequency Identification Sonar). The Taseko (Chinook, Sockeye) run is lumped in with the Chilko stock as
being one. When the Chilko stock is doing fine, the outlook states the same for Taseko, but when in reality
the stock may not be doing well. We have been working to have the Taseko stock recognized as its’ own
stock away from the Chilko. We will be working on the timing of the stock, along with the timing of the
migrating salmon. With more knowledge will help to increase the numbers associated with this stock. Our
initial work will begin at the end of April with a site visit to determine a second location for placement of
the DIDSON.
Dates
Smolt program will be starting April 8/2015, and Gerald William and Leonard English will be working the
duration of this project. Due to an early melt, the crew was unable to put up a smolt fence due to high
water. A RST (Rotary Screw Trap) is being utilized to get counts on the smolts migrating back to the
ocean. The crew will be working till approximately the middle of May, for anyone interested in viewing the
process.
More Fisheries from Randy Billyboy
April 2—Mining Coordinator met with the Working Group and TNG Chiefs
regarding the Mount Polley disaster to discuss what will be happening in the
coming future. A basic plan will be happening on Hazeltine Creek, Quesnel Lake
and Quesnel River. Nothing will be done along the Fraser or Chilko River
regarding salmon concerns.
Randy Billyboy:
Fisheries Guardian
[email protected]
April 7— Randy delivered 149 cases of canned wild sockeye for the community
of ?Esdilagh. These were provided by Soda Creek Indian Band and Williams
Lake Indian Band as part of their Mount Polley spill response activities. They
were dropped off with Norma Jean Stump at Carrier Chilcotin Tribal Office for
storage.
April 14—Randy met with Cynthia Fell, Fisheries Biologist, in Williams Lake to
discuss fisheries research opportunities with the Tsilhqot’in Nation.
April 20—Councillor Marilyn Baptiste of the Xeni Gwet’in First Nation received
the North American Goldman Environmental Prize. There are only six recipients
around the world. The Goldman Environmental Prize ceremony was held at the
San Francisco War Memorial Opera House on April 20, 2015 and was followed by
a ceremony in Washington DC on April 22nd. Her fight to protect Textan Biny,
Fish Lake, and direct action against Taseko Mines Ltd was a very big part in her
winning this award. It’s awesome to see our own First Nations; Tsilhqot’in and
Xeni Gwet’in to get such recognition across the world for the work and fight she
has and is still doing.
April 24—A Taseko River site visit was done to check out the low water and
possibly find a safe crossing location near the site so we can get the didson to both
banks.
Rotary Smolt Trap Chilko Lake
Stewardship Manager: March and April Highlights
In March I was able to complete staff evaluations, it was a task that was time consuming but it is a way to provide positive feedback to our staff and see where improvements can be made.
The Traditional Use Study (TUS) project has been gaining quite the momentum
and the staff has been busy prepping for and conducting interviews. Please look
for their update in the newsletter.
Luke Doxtator: Stewardship Department Manager
[email protected]
We have also been recommended for phase two for the British Columbia Capacity
Initiative (BCCI) program. Our application was for $200,000 to continue on with
the TUS project and digitization of all the interviews that were on original cassette
tapes. We are very pleased that AANDC recognizes the importance of this and we
are thrilled to continue this project.
We have created a template for the referral workers to monitor and evaluate the
cutting permits for an internal audit of the cut blocks within the South Chilcotin
Planning Area. Shawn Meisner, a Registered Professional Forester, was contracted
for a week and assisted in the creation and the referral workers will be making field
visits in early May to apply their skills on the new system. Once they are familiar,
they will be taking community members out on field visits to show the changes in
logging practices and how our recommendations are being put into action on the
land.
I have prepared the annual projected budgets for the budget meeting set for May
15th. The Chiefs will review them and make their recommendations on the budgets
at that time.
I was able to attend a two day ‘Negotiation Training’ workshop at TRU put on by
the Banff Center. It was an interesting workshop and the tools offered were very
helpful.
The Tsilhqot’in Stewardship Council (TSC) and Joint Resource Council (JRC)
meetings were held in Tsi Del Del in March which I had to miss due to conflicting
meetings, and April’s meeting was in Tl’esqox. We talked about the Williams Lake
Timber Supply Review which was just released. We are developing a template on
how to monitor this as well. Much work is needed to ensure that the amount of
“Green” wood coming out of the territory is monitored quite closely. We should
have an example by May and will bring to the TSC meeting.
Page 16
Stewardship:
GIS Department: Signs and Boundaries
Happy Spring everyone!
Mary Thurow and Sarah Gash
GIS Analysts
[email protected]
[email protected]
The GIS department is bursting at the seams temporarily, as Sarah, Mary and Shane
are joined by a BCIT practicum student, James Villeneuve, on board at TNG for 9
weeks. He is gaining work experience while we benefit from extra hands on deck to
work through various projects. We are glad to have him here even if it makes Mary’s
and Sarah’s combined office even squishier than normal! Look for more information
from James on the next page.
Some of the projects underway within GIS include:
Title Signage Map. Mary is working on a map to be incorporated on interim signs
that will be erected at the various entrances into Title Land. The map and sign(s) will
be about 4’ wide x 8’ tall, and aim to make travelers aware of where the Title Land is
located, and to be respectful when within it. This project presents new challenges, as
there are data quality misalignments between the various datasets being included on
the map, and we want to ensure that these permanent markers not only look nice, but
are in the right place. Needless to say this is one of the largest maps Mary has ever
worked on, so check-plots are more than a little intimidating!
Trapline Boundaries. Speaking of data quality issues, Mary has been looking into
provincial trapline boundaries and how the current boundaries differ from historical
ones. Over the years the spatial accuracy of the province’s various traplines has been
“improved” by using better quality data… but TNG still has an older version of the
Xeni trapline edge that needs to be updated to follow the physical features it is
supposed to follow. Sorting that out is a bit of a headache but also an interesting
challenge… Stay tuned and look closely on the next map you come across and you
just might see what we’re talking about.
Emergency Preparedness. House and building locations have been identified
within the 6 Tsilhqot’in communities and maps have been prepared to accompany
updated Emergency Plans that Xeni Gwet’in, Tl’esqox, ?Esdilagh, Yunesit’in and Tsi
del del have been working on. The Emergency Preparedness projects wrapped up
mid-April, and although we hope the documents and information won’t ever be
required, in case there’s a disaster, everyone will be better prepared to assist. Sarah
was also able to include hydrant locations, evacuation routes, and key emergency
service locations on many of the maps. Working with community contacts, she has
also updated lists of residents for each community, with age-categories (Youth /
adult / elder) that could be valuable when determining who needs assistance
evacuating. These lists remain internal and will not be shared with outside
organizations. Digital housing and building data could also be a good starting point
to help the communities track housing repairs, or pursue 9-1-1 services.
Page 17
More from the GIS Department
South Chilcotin. The South Chilcotin project is being revitalized, and if the last project is any indication,
there will be much mapping work required with this project. Sarah has been busy adding data to one of our
GIS laptops for live-mapping-without-needing-the-internet-or-server-access. This way one of us can
participate in the community meetings and hopefully use maps to clarify questions live.
Alexis Creek Interview Digitization. The GIS Team has begun digitizing the mylars (clear maps with
handdrawn information) generated from Alexis Creek’s 2014-2015 Land Use interviews. Tsi Deldel is
searching for funding to complete this digitizing but we are doing what we can in the meantime.
TUS Elder Interviews. The 2014-2015 BC Capacity funding finished up March 31st, 2015, and already the
year end number crunching has been completed and the final report (not due until May 31st) is almost
complete. Amazingly, we have already received word that our 2015-2016 BCCI proposal has been
recommended for Phase 2, so we are very excited to be able to conduct additional elder interviews over the
coming fiscal year! Geraldine Charleyboy and Shane Doddridge will be staying on for at least another year to
continue gathering new information, while Brooke Albers will continue working with old cassette tapes, and
hopefully can begin working with the audio recordings Shane and Geraldine are collecting. The upcoming BC
Capacity Project will also enable upgrades to the TNG Portal; namely improvements to the mapping agent.
It’s great to know so quickly that our funding proposal was accepted!
New Kid on the Block
Hello, my name is James Villeneuve. I am a British Columbia Institute of
Technology (BCIT) student currently undergoing a GIS practicum with the
TNG. From April 20th through to June 19th you will find me at the office
working with Mary Thurow and Sarah Gash. I am a Vancouver Islander - I grew
up in Sidney on the Southern tip, although I spent much of my life on the
Northern end in Port Hardy. I completed my Bachelor’s Degree at the
University of Victoria in 2013, with a focus on Anthropology and Geography of
the Pacific Northwest. In the midst of all that learning, I managed to get out and
see a fair bit of the world. My other hobbies include music, cooking, and sports (Go Canucks). My interest in
mapping, spatial data, and technology led me into the world of GIS. I soon began the Advanced Diploma in
GIS program at BCIT in Burnaby.
I’m excited and fortunate to be a part of the TNG, in my first week I was able to visit Tl’esqox and Xeni
Gwet’in, including a trip down to the beautiful Chilko Lake. For my practicum, I will be working on various
projects, including some digitizing work, as well as creating annotation for Tsilhqot’in Place names. I’m
looking forward to the coming weeks here in the office, as well as the opportunity to get out and explore the
surrounding area!
Page 18
Referrals from 2007 to 2014
A referral is a proposed land use. Below you will see how many proposals we have received over
the years.
TNG Portal - Annual individual referrals and users since 2007
2014
287
2013
27
316
2012
24
308
2011
218
83
249
2008
174
2007 (since Oct 17th)
22
0
18
253
37
309
2009
174
35
286
2010
203
27
53
181
98
71
18
100
200
# of Referrals Received
300
# of Users Added
400
500
600
700
Total # of Users
Page 19
Mining Update: Teztan, Polley & AMARC
Teztan Biny (Fish Lake)
We have heard that any day now we’ll be hearing from the courts deciding whether
they will allow Taseko Mines Ltd. (TML) to change their two judicial reviews (one
against the Panel, one against the federal decision) into one full trial. I will keep you
posted!
J.P. Laplante, B.Sc., M.A.
Mining, Oil & Gas Manager
[email protected]
I also attended the Goldman Environmental Prize ceremony in San Francisco where
Xeni Gwet’in Councillor, Marilyn Baptiste, was awarded the prize for North
America. This was a very special day at San Francisco Opera House. Robert
Redford even narrated the video. You can find more on their website.
www.goldmanprize.org
Mount Polley
We continue to push for more monitoring and follow-up from the Mt. Polley
disaster, in particular on the potential downstream impacts to the Fraser River
species and habitat and the Quesnel River salmon runs. We’ve presented a proposal
to the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations to do salmon
and sturgeon testing.
We also applied to the First Nations Health Authority to conduct a Health Impact
Assessment in all six Tsilhqot’in communities.
Amarc
Amarc Resources is proposing to drill exploratory holes in the Upper Taseko region,
near Granite Creek. TNG is actively working with Xeni Gwet’in and Yunesit’in to
respond to this referral. Please see your Referral Worker, Stewardship Council
representative or call JP at the TNG office if you have questions regarding this.
PHOTOS FROM THE GOLDMAN ENVIRONMENTAL PRIZE CEREMONIES IN
SAN FRANSISCO, CALIFORNIA
Page 20
Trapping Report by Blaine Grinder—Referral Worker
Hello Tsilhqot’in Nation,
In Tl’etinqox we organized a trapping course in January of 2013 and invited any interested members from
the Nation and had another in 2014. The number of participants were low but at the same time the results
have been great. Paul Grinder and I with Leonard English have been collecting and working on furs mainly
on Tl’etinqox Trapline # TR0513T001. We are still at the beginning and have a lot to learn, but we have
been successful in both learning how to better trap the animals and the process of managing the furs for sale
in the auction market.
We are putting the request to start our own Tsilhqot’in trapping association west of the Fraser in association
with British Columbia Trapping Association (BCTA), I believe this will, and can help, deal with some of the
management issues on the land, as well as help our members connect back to their traditional territories and
take care of their families traditional areas. We are looking for motivated and interested Tsilhqot’in members to participate and assert their rights to their territories and become involved in management over the
population of certain animals and become more aware of forest health. Below is an insert from the BCTA
web page http://www.bctrappers.bc.ca/index.html
Trappers as Conservationists
Wildlife biologists have long recognized the necessity to save the
province's natural resources from waste and the need to educate
the general public in the role of trapping as an critical segment
of wildlife management.
All wildlife populations possess natural mechanisms that
eventually limit population’s densities. When this occurs,
competition for limited resources compromises the health of the
entire population-the weakened condition of these animals’
results in the potential decimation of entire species through
starvation and disease.
Regulated trapping involves the control of disease and animal
population density. Uncontrolled, furbearers are primary
conduits for diseases-rabies, giardias, distemper, tularemia and
mange - all transmissible to humans.
For more information please contact:
Blaine Grinder:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 250-394-4212 ext.232
Paul Grinder
Email:: [email protected]
Phone: 250-392-3918.
Page 21
Referrals
March
The British Columbia Timber Sales (BCTS), file which was in non-compliance due
to building a road without consultation, is being investigated. Tl’etinqox received
assistance from Lawyer, Elizabeth Hunt, to draft a compliance letter to the BC
Government, we are awaiting the outcome from this.
Sally Sellars, RPF:
Natural Resource Worker
[email protected]
I have been to several meetings with BC Government in regards to silviculture,
which includes Mistletoe and Free Growing Surveys. This has been successful and
there are silviculture crews working from Tl’esqox, Yunesit’in and Tl’etinqox.
Tl’etinqox meetings have also included Forestry discussions with West Fraser and
Tolko Industries, BCTS has not responded to discussions. The discussions include
team building with industry to work more closely with community, but more
importantly, to create economic opportunities. A proposed option is to create training for community members for employment at West Fraser and Tolko sawmills.
Machinery at Tl’etinqox
Deactivation and reactivation of roads is a concern which
referral workers regularly deal with. More Forest Service Roads
are being deactivated as timber harvest is being completed.
There have been a couple of accidents on the Raven Lake Road
(1300Rd) and this is being investigated by compliance &
enforcement. The fence which was damaged will be repaired.
At the beginning of April, I was pleased to have
visited and had lunch with Lawrence & Rose
Elkins, Carmen Stump-Elkins, and a couple very
nice young girls Elyssa and Maddie who were
out riding horses by instruction from Lawrence.
It was great to see the youth having fun with the
horses.
Damaged Fence on 1300 Road
Page 22
More Sally Referrals
The successful meetings we are having with industry have led to a draft Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) between X and X. The MOU will develop more opportunities, direct awards
and a more successful on-the-ground working relationship for community contractors to increase their
skills and have more open communication with industry.
This is a big step forward for Tl’etinqox and builds a relationship with ?Esdilagh to continue this work
in their community. Chief Joe Alphonse, Hugh Flinton, Tl’etinqox Forest Manager, Blaine Grinder, and
Sally Sellars met with ?Esdilagh community to discuss options of working together for forest related
issues.
Community Meeting at ?Esdilagh
Lennon Solomon and Gene Cooper hard at work!
Page 23
Stewardship Department Photos
SIGNAGE LOCATION
NEW OUTHOUSE
MOOSE COLLAR RECOVERY
TL’ETINQOX RANCHERS MEETING
MOOSE COLLAR RECOVERY
Maurice Hink
Joel Solomon
Royce Haines
Casey Myers
Thomas P. Billyboy
Larissa Myers
Joann Setah
Percy Lulua
Kevin Billyboy
Daryll Solomon
Francis Haines
Fayve Quilt
Skyann Setah
Kevin Gibot
Page 25
March 20, 2015
Tsilhqot’in/Xeni Gwet’in Title Case
Sechanalyagh to those who attended the community
meetings during the last week of February. These
meetings were meant as discussions around the implementation of Title and negotiations with BC.
The Province is working with the Tsilhqot’in to
transition the Title lands to full benefit and control
of the Tsilhqot’in. The negotiations are meant to
discuss the rest of Tsilhqot’in territory.
While negotiations are ongoing, the TNG and Xeni
Gwet’in are working through case-by-case external
interests within the Title Area. One of these was
Guide Outfitters, which have been authorized for
one year within the Title Area.
On March 13th the Tsilhqot’in Chiefs met with Provincial Ministers in Williams Lake to discuss progress being made in negotiations.
On March 19th the Tsilhqot’in Chiefs, on Title lands,
enacted the Nemiah Declaration as law within the
Title and Rights Area. This can be viewed at
tsilhqotin.ca/About/Governance.htm.
Above: Tsilhqot’in Chiefs meet with Provincial Ministers to discuss progress on the
development of an agreement for
Tsilhqot’in territory.
Left: Tsilhqot’in Chiefs with Elders
enact the Nemiah Declaration as law in
the declared Title and Rights Area.
TŜILHQOT’IN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
253 – 4th Avenue North, Williams Lake, BC V2G 4T4, Phone (250) 392-3918 Fax (250) 398-5798
April 30, 2015
Tsilhqot’in/Xeni Gwet’in Title Case
Dzinas gu?en (afternoon) everyone.
April 1st marked the end of the Letter of Understanding
(LOU) with BC with an additional three months provided to continue discussions in order to complete the requirements of the LOU. A deadline for the outline of
next steps has been set for June 26, 2015 – the one year
anniversary of the declaration of Title.
Community sessions are being scheduled for the end
May and beginning of June for Chiefs to review the
draft agreement with community members.
Above: Tsilhqot’in Chiefs meet with
off-reserve Tsilhqot’in members in
Vancouver on April 14, 2015 who
travelled from throughout the lower
mainland and Vancouver Island.
The Support Team to the Chiefs is growing with the
recent addition of Robert Corman as the Lands Director. Robert started on April 20th and will be working
closely with Xeni Gwet’in to develop plans and address
lands issues.
The Chiefs are continuing to strategize and plan for the
future of the Title Area, along with entire Tsilhqot’in
Territory throughout the spring.
Sechanalyagh to those who attended the Nation meeting
in Vancouver on April 14th. Chief Roger and Chief
Francis outlined what the Title case was and how it is
being implemented. The Chiefs were proud to see so
many youth attend.
April 14th was a busy day with the Chiefs meeting with
National Chief Perry Bellegarde and all regional Chiefs
of Canada to give an update on the progress of discussions with BC.
Above: Tsilhqot’in Chiefs with National Chief
Perry Bellegarde at the Assembly of First Nations All Executive meeting in Vancouver on
April 14, 2015.
TŜILHQOT’IN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
253 – 4th Avenue North, Williams Lake, BC V2G 4T4, Phone (250) 392-3918 Fax (250) 398-5798

March/April 2015 - Tsilhqot`in National Government

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