2019/2020

Tāłtān Contents STAFF MESSAGES

Message from the President ...... 1 2019 Achievements ...... 3 Message from the Vice President ...... 5 Message from the Secretary Treasurer ...... 7 Message from the Executive Director ...... 8 TCG Board of Directors ...... 10

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Lands Department & THREAT ...... 13 Klappan Plan ...... 19 Archaeology Update/Review ...... 21 Jade and Placer Update ...... 25 Wildlife Department ...... 27 Fisheries Department ...... 33 Culture & Heritage Department ...... 43 Education & Training Department ...... 47 Employment Department ...... 51 OnTrack Unveiling ...... 53 Contracting & Business Development Department ...... 55 Northwest Hydroelectric Facilities Purchase ...... 65 Membership & Genealogy Department ...... 67 Communications Department ...... 71 Tahltan Central Government Rebranded ...... 75 Tahltan Nation in the News ...... 81 Fibre-Optic Connectivity ...... 94

UPDATES

Tahltan Socio-Cultural Working Group Update ...... 97 3 Nations Update ...... 99 UNDRIP and Update ...... 103

STAFF & CONTACTS INFO

Staff & Contacts Information Chart ...... 109 TCG Organizational Chart ...... 111 TAHLTAN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – ANNUAL REPORT 2019/2020

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Together we’re moving in the right direction

Tahltan Nation, “It is important that we recognize

We are currently living in truly unprecedented times. and thank all Tahltans who I must commend the Dease Lake, Iskut and Telegraph continue to occupy and live in Creek Emergency Management Committees and everyone in the Province and around the world, our homeland. Their ongoing particularly the medical personnel and essential habitation, coupled with their workers, who have dedicated themselves to keeping us safe. A special thank you also goes out to everyone ongoing practice of our culture, who assists our Tahltan people and communities are essential requirements for Chad Norman Day during this challenging time. the Tahltan Nation to maintain President, Tahltan Central Government It is important that we recognize and thank all our collective Rights and Title.” Tahltans who continue to occupy and live in our homeland. Their ongoing habitation, coupled with Being the leader of TCG and spokesman for the their ongoing practice of our culture, are essential Tahltan Nation is an enormous responsibility that I requirements for the Tahltan Nation to maintain our take very seriously. I do my best to lead by example collective Rights and Title. Mēduh to all community through hard work and collaboration, living a healthy members, workers, leaders and everyone who lifestyle, staying true to my commitments, and being positively contributes to the residents of Dease Lake, a dedicated and loving family man. Last summer I Iskut and Telegraph Creek. It is extremely important married my lovely wife, Sharmaine Diesta Day, who that we always have healthy Tahltan communities is an incredibly positive influence on all aspects of and support their ongoing growth and development. life, including family, work and health. My children Malakai (14), Montay (12), Nahlin (10) and Nethenion More than ever this year’s TCG Annual General Report (8) get along wonderfully with Sharmaine, particularly showcases that Together We Are Strong. The 2019/ my daughter who thoroughly enjoys the additional 2020 Annual Report highlights the myriad of TCG female energy and companionship in our household. accomplishments and future plans, including those from If you happen to see Sharmaine, feel free to introduce each of TCG’s departments, some of which have been yourself; she is a playful, caring and positive person recently created, restructured or transferred. who gets along with everyone and enjoys meeting our Tahltan people. Our accomplishments over the past year were a collaborative effort that One of the most important responsibilities we oversee as leaders is to properly govern over the relationships included our TCG Family, other Tahltan and agreements we have with outside governments governments/entities, outside partners and organizations, neighbouring nations, industry and, of course, internally amongst our Tahltan and all those Tahltan people who entities, working groups, communities and members. actively participate in our decision- Implementing internal policies and accountability measures is onerous at times, but upholding high making processes or contribute to our standards and discipline helps strengthen and prepare homeland in other ways. us for the challenges we face externally.

TCG and our governors are here because the Tahltan We have continually strengthened our governance and people entrusted us to protect and enhance Tahltan capacity in this respect by updating and creating new Rights and Title on their behalf. We understand that policies and agreements that bring more structure our people also expect us to provide meaningful and certainty around these relationships and any opportunities and benefits to all Tahltan people; we difficulties that may arise. strive to make this happen every day.

1 “This is truly an exciting time in Tahltan history and I hope that together we continue to use all the opportunities and resources at our disposal to empower ourselves, our families, our communities and our people, collectively, as a strong, Above: President Day meeting with Alex McPherson at a drill site on Crystal Lake Mining's Newmont Lake Property. proud and united Tahltan Nation.” Alan McPherson (center) co-owns and operates Swiftsure Diamond Drilling Ltd., a Tahltan JV.

Our work at TCG continues to become more initiatives and historical new agreements such to empower ourselves, our families, our multifaceted as our government grows and as the Klappan Plan. We transformed and communities and our people, collectively, as evolves and as we become more meaningfully improved the way we interact with the mineral a strong, proud and united Tahltan Nation. involved at the highest levels with government, exploration industry, mining companies, industry, and other important organizations the tourism industry and resident hunters In closing, let us welcome and celebrate across British Columbia and Canada. Luckily, in Tahltan Territory. Lastly, we are working all the new Tahltan babies born into our we have built an amazing team of about 25 diligently to overhaul or shut down other beloved Nation, and congratulate all those employees, several key experts, negotiators operations and companies that do not respect Tahltan people who accomplished exciting and legal professionals, and our TCG Board Tahltan Law and/or TCG policies, such as jade milestones in their lives over the past year, of Directors is contributing more than ever and placer operations. whether it be related to their education, through additional committee work, conference employment, health or personal life. calls, meetings and communication efforts There are so many opportunities available with their respective family members. I refer to in Tahltan Territory and we have growing I also want to acknowledge and honour all this collection of people as our TCG Family and financial and human resources in place the Tahltans that we lost over the past year, we are extremely proud of the character, work to support our people. I am excited about particularly Roy Quock and Violet Carlick – ethic and collaborative environment that we OnTrack, the Tahltan Skills Inventory, which the eldest Patriarch and Matriarch of the enjoy together. will provide Tahltans with better access to Tahltan Nation. Our hearts go out to all those the many jobs available in our Territory. I who continue to mourn a loved one or face The number of Tahltan people becoming encourage Tahltans everywhere to always other struggles in their lives. meaningfully employed, running successful take the time to read our communication businesses and pursuing higher education materials (e.g. newsletters, website, Let us continue working together, and training rises each year. Revitalizing, social media, press releases, etc.) and to supporting one another, remaining united recording and making language and culture participate in TCG meetings and decision- and working hard to make our children, available to all Tahltan people continues to be making processes, including those that Elders and ancestors proud. Tahltan Strong! a priority; we have big plans in the coming year. will soon happen more often through your We made wise and significant investments respective Family Representatives. This is Klane Nedischā. in clean energy projects and provided long truly an exciting time in Tahltan history and term protection to large areas of Tahltan I hope that together we continue to use all the Territory through ongoing land use planning opportunities and resources at our disposal

2 TAHLTAN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – ANNUAL REPORT 2019/2020 Together we achieved great things in 2019

Klappan Plan Northwest Hydroelectric Facilities Tahltan Foundation Klappan Plan signed with the Biggest clean energy investment by a First Nation in BC history Tahltan Heritage Trust assets Provincial Government. and one of the biggest in Canadian history. The Tahltan Nation climbed to approximately $40 million are now the proud owners of 5% of the Northwest Hydroelectric following the AltaGas deal, which *Land-use plan aimed at preserving Facilities (an asset valued at more than $2.5 billion). triggered community meetings the Klappan Valley’s cultural and and the establishment of a Tahltan environmental assets and guiding *Dividends will begin immediately, will increase every Foundation that will hopefully be up future resource development. year, and will be used to invest in our three communities and running sometime in 2020. and in other Tahltan Nation initiatives for all Tahltan people. The financing will be fully paid at year 57.

Premier Horgan met with 3Nations Forest License IBA Ratification Premier Horgan met with the 3Nations (Tahltan, Kaska Tahltan Nation acquired a 3-million-hectare KSM Impact Benefit Agreement and Tlingit) and the Stikine Wholistic Working Group forest license as an accommodation from (IBA) Ratification – 77.8% in favour. (SWWG) in Lower Post and committed to long-term the Province. It will be held by the TNDC *Having an agreement doesn’t mean funding for 3Nation initiatives, the tearing down of the and operated through a new joint company this project will go into production Lower Post Residential School and an annual visit to formed between TNDC and NorthPac. anytime soon. one of the 3Nations’ Territories.

3 2019 ACHIEVEMENTS

Red Chris Jade and Placer Hoobiyee Celebration Successfully helped steward the TCG informed the Province of BC, as well Invited to 2019 Hoobiyee Celebration in Gingolx where purchase of Red Chris by Newcrest as the Jade and Placer companies, that we participated in a signing ceremony reaffirming our Mining Limited, which has ushered their ongoing activities are disrespectful commitment to continue implementing the guiding in a much better relationship and illegal under Tahltan Law. Province principles of the May 3, 2016 MOU. In addition, both between the mine and our Nation. has informed TCG of upcoming changes. Nations agreed to make their relationship an Alliance.

Morel Mushroom Program Education + Training Archaeology Continuation of the Morel Mushroom Program. 2019 was the first full year of Tahltan Updated Chance Find Procedure Trainees and Education funding, via the to address Archaeological finds *Compliance, Enforcement, and Education Department of Education & Training. in Tahltan Territory. Component between Public/Users/Community

What else did we accomplish?

Among other things: ⃣ Fibre optic connectivity to Iskut and Dease Lake, ⃣ TCG Bylaw Amendment lowering threshold for with intention to provide connectivity to TC in future approving a special resolution from 75% to 66.6% ⃣ Community-Based Climate Change Monitoring program ⃣ Significant steps in advancing a Tahltan Nation Land launched, focusing on the Tseneglode Caribou herd Stewardship Plan ⃣ $5.6 million obtained for four-year project to establish ⃣ Creation of Culture & Heritage Department Tahltan Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCA) ⃣ Family Representatives elected for the first time ⃣ Klappan Moose Population Survey ⃣ 3 Nations Youth Trip to AME Roundup ⃣ Southern Entrance Sign – First time including Tlingit and Kaska ⃣ Guardian Involvement in Licenced Hunter Surveys

4 TAHLTAN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – ANNUAL REPORT 2019/2020

MESSAGE FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT Embracing our cultural ways

What a first year as the Vice President Internal activity of the Tahltan Central Government! During the election I campaigned on the idea that I must start by thanking our people the ‘President looks out and the Vice President looks for trusting me to assist our Nation in in’. Understanding the difference between leadership and management is key to building a collective developing effective internal governance stewardship system of governance. Within this system, structures to serve our people. a guiding document is the Governance Accountability Framework. All Tahltan political leadership passed Activities at a glance: this document. To work through structural issues, we Ken Edzerza need to build internal, formal agreements between the 1 . Klappan Plan Ceremony Vice President, Tahltan many Tahltan legal entities. This work is underway. 2 . Exploration Site visits Central Government We produced a draft of formal updates to TCG’s 3 . Investors Meeting in Colorado agreements with TNDC and a community protocol agreement. We began discussions around setting up 4 . AME Roundup in Vancouver the Trust Foundation. As we build the Tahltan Central 5 . International Investors Conference in Toronto Government’s formal relationships, they establish the internal, legal framework of our Nation. 6 . All Chiefs Meeting in Vancouver (where we began addressing overlap areas by working with other First Nations) TCG is also working on a formal Tahltan 7 . TCG Executive Council Meetings Land Stewardship Plan (TLSP). Rooted 8 . TCG HR Committee Meetings in the cultural foundation of the 1910 Tahltan Declaration, the TLSP will As a new team of leaders was voted in by the Tahltan people, the TCG needed some time for our new determine the authority of the Lands leaders to grow together. Over the past year I learned Department. It will provide a governance more and more of TCG’s many responsibilities, both internal and external. Our president, Chad Norman framework policy for our Territory. Day, encourages me to join him in working on our external relationships. Together we attend meetings The challenge is how to operationalize all TCG’s with government, mining and exploration companies historical working documents with current policies and other Aboriginal organizations, to name a few. that guide the work of our departments. The TLSP is Our executive team operates in a highly dynamic a guiding document that outlines the authority of the environment where opportunities present themselves Board while transferring authority to our operational unexpectedly. For example, we met with the Premier of people. Within the document are the guiding values, the Yukon, the Honourable Sandy Silver, and the Deputy principles and direction that shape our approach to Premier, the Honourable Ranj Pillai, and arranged for a environmental sustainability, industrial development follow-up discussion around developing a more formal and land use planning in the interest of protecting the relationship between the Tahltan Central Government Tahltan Nation’s future. and the Government of Yukon. Due to COVID-19, however, our meeting has been postponed.

5 “I think we need to learn to celebrate more and criticize less. We can be critical in our examination of the facts regarding our communities and Nation’s government; let us just avoid disrespect and personal Building a system of accountability is a complicated process. attacks. We can respectfully assess It requires formalizing all relationships within the system, including the family systems. In the new budget, TCG allocated $10,000 for the facts and explore the most building the family infrastructure and engagement (participatory effective solutions with each other.” governance) process. Using the Etzenlee as an example, each family now has a budget for family representatives to set up internal procedures for engaging their family members. The Etzenlee has an Elders Council made up of the head of each family branch. The Elders helped to set up the Terms of Reference for the Family Council, comprised of the next generation of family members At the core of this dialogue is whether we live our value of embracing (usually the active and interested family members) with a few Elder Tahltan culture, or we follow the Western way of being. At the AGA a advisors. TCG has the administrative authority to require proper few years ago, during this debate, we voted to embrace our cultural internal accounting to ensure that the money is spent on the family ways. Therefore, how do we show respect to one another in everything system. The family has the internal authority to self-organize but we do? How do we honour the work of our leaders, our staff, our family must meet the standard of assuring all family members have members, our Elders and especially the individuals we disagree with? access to the governmental process. I think we need to learn to celebrate more and criticize less. We can In closing, I would like to open a dialogue with the Nation’s citizens. be critical in our examination of the facts regarding our communities Accountability is a reciprocal responsibility. It forms our relationships and Nation’s government; let us just avoid disrespect and personal with one another. Accountability is a core teaching within a cultural attacks. We can respectfully assess the facts and explore the most model and the question is: what is the role of our citizen behavior effective solutions with each other. within this framework? As I reported, the Tahltan leaders have been working to create formal rules and procedures to hold us accountable Finally, I would like to acknowledge Rick McLean’s many years of to our citizens, but what of the way the citizens behave towards their service to our people. I have watched him grow from an inexperienced leaders and the Tahltan people who work for the Nation? leader into a mature and knowledgeable one. Your defining moment was during the Fire. Your leadership during this time helped our community recover faster than other communities in similar situations. A key trait of an effective leader is the ability to delegate and choose good people to assist you, like Feddie Louie. I cannot mention the Fire without acknowledging how our operational people assist in making our communities a better place to be.

Rick, thank you for your leadership. I will miss your voice at the leadership table. Remember people: action speaks louder than words. Let us keep our Elders safe, follow the direction of our Emergency Management Teams on the COVID-19 procedures and be mindful that the second wave is coming.

Thank you to all our people, especially our Elders. I would also like to acknowledge all the dedicated, hardworking people who serve our people without a lot of public acknowledgement. I do see you and I promise we will find a way to publicly celebrate your contributions.

Left: TCG Vice President Ken Edzerza; the Premier of Yukon, Hon. Sandy Silver; Deputy Premier, Hon. Ranj Pillai; and TCG President Chad Norman Day.

6 TAHLTAN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – ANNUAL REPORT 2019/2020

MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY TREASURER As we grow, we must evolve and adjust

2019-2020 has been an interesting the departments and the day-to-day business, and old year. As COVID-19 disrupted many policies need to be updated. We are not perfect, but we strive to ensure that we employ the best people possible workplaces and all parts of society, to assure we get the input needed to improve. the pandemic forced businesses and We have a great Finance Committee. They ask excellent governments to be creative in their questions and have the knowledge and experience work and response. Fortunately for the to inform their questioning. I would like to thank the committee for their contributions throughout the year. Tahltan Central Government, many of It is a lot of work with availability required during the Adrian Carlick our departments are used to working evening, so I thank the Finance Committee Members for being available, working hard to analyze decisions, asking Secretary Treasurer, remotely. The transition was very Tahltan Central the right questions, and making informed decisions. Government smooth, especially in Finance. Since 2013 we have had an annual third-party audit. This year our Finance Director, Ginger Fuller, moved This means that we hire an accounting firm, not on to a position with the School District in the Skeena connected to TCG, to audit our finances and we Area. Although we miss her, and are thankful for present the audit to our Members. When I was first her time at TCG, we understand that this was an elected in 2010, I promised to deliver this standard and opportunity Ginger could not pass up. Ginger helped now our people expect it. I expect TCG to maintain it develop important TCG policy and was an excellent as a minimum moving forward. As we grow and our team player throughout her time with the TCG. She Nation’s finances become more complex with various recommended our current change in accounting agreements and multiple sources of revenue, we must software, updated the TCG employee benefits and evolve and adjust to assure our accounting and finance developed a more structured finance system. Ginger systems stay relevant. also helped assure a smooth transition to our new Chief Financial Officer, Michael Shaker. As always, we This has been a challenging year for everyone, to say strive to have a Certified Professional Accountant the least. I hope you and your families take care and (CPA) working in these positions. The CPA designation be kind, always. holds accountants above any industry or government standards. In addition, it holds them to the standard of their association - The Chartered Professional “As we progress, we are always Accountants of Canada. analyzing our policies. As TCG We believe our people deserve the highest form of grows, new policies need to professional standards around managing finances. reflect the departments and the Although I have extensive experience at a management level in reviewing and analyzing finances, the Chief day-to-day business, and old Financial Officer is the position dedicated to ensuring policies need to be updated. We proper management of TCG’s financial day-to-day operations. Michael Shaker has extensive financial are not perfect, but we strive to experience and worked as an auditor as well. A team ensure that we employ the best of hardworking staff support him on a day-to-day basis. Cindy Dennis, our Senior Finance Clerk, has been people possible to assure we get with TCG for 11 years. She continues to exceed our the input needed to improve.” expectations. Her energy, adaptiveness, and knowledge help with all the transitions in this department over the years. As we progress, we are always analyzing our policies. As TCG grows, new policies need to reflect

7 MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY TREASURER / MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR We were always, and still are, Tahltan Strong

It is my sincere honour to serve my In July of 2019, the Tahltan people invested ~$124M Tahltan people in these fortunate in their first major project, which happens to be in Tahltan Territory, with the support of the Tahltan times where we are actualizing self- Heritage Trustees. These smart money-management determination through the pursuit of decisions will ensure the Tahltan people will have the resources to fund their Nation for millennia to sustainable economic development, come, building a foundation of wealth that will be land and resource conservation, whilst more about benefiting the Territory and sustaining our communities. Individual benefit comes from providing revitalizing our traditional practices. career and business opportunities with our plethora In retrospect, our success is in its of Impact-Benefit Agreements (IBA’s), and personal Calvin Carlick development opportunities such as bursaries and infancy, we have overcome a lot in the Executive Director, education-based investments. Self-determination is Tahltan Central last 150 years. We have adapted to achieved by building up our people and building up our Government communities with the appropriate infrastructure that this brave new world, not as survivors, we determine as satisfactory. I think we have managed but as conquerors. We were always an incredibly good start that we should all be proud of.

and still, Tahltan Strong. Looking forward, we can expect the TCG to continue to expand to meet the needs of our Nation’s aspirations, First and foremost, a round of applause for the 13 TCG including the TCG’s $12.5M operating budget to fund Board of Directors who each successfully secured our Government activities. Furthermore, we aspired to their respective positions through a competitive one day have a home for our Nation’s administrative, election process in 2019; it was the very first election cultural, and political activities. It is the year 2020 and for the 10 family representative positions. Thank you to I am very happy to announce that we will be advancing our people for believing in our system of Governance our Nation’s building project this year, which would and having faith that we are all here for the betterment be located on the new Dease Lake IR 13. The project of our nation. Mēduh! budget could potentially be $10M, after a rough financial analysis. Being cautiously optimistic, it looks like we can After 4 years of building our administration, our Tahltan potentially have ‘shovels in the ground’ by next spring if Central Government now has a small army of about everything goes according to plan. 30 talented employees that are spread across 10 Departments; all are advancing a multitude of projects We are collecting all the worldly information on our and activities that are in line with our TCG mandate. I am Tahltan identity, which will then be logically archived proud to acknowledge our team; indeed, without their following the best practices. This project aims to dedication none of this would be possible. Mēduh! consolidate everything about Tahltans into one privately accessible database, for the Tahltan Nation. Self-determination is a journey in which many micro activities combine to fulfill the destination as a whole, it is not only the aforementioned team of leaders and employees that I credit with the favourable progress of our Nation, but it is also important to recognize those who served in the past, whether it was at our Government administration or if it was an Elder providing sound advice to a child by a warm campfire at fish-camp. You have all contributed positively in advancing our community, our Nation. This shall always be acknowledged and recognized. Mēduh!

8 MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

“Self-determination is a journey in which many micro activities combine to fulfill the destination as a whole, it is not only the aforementioned team of leaders and employees that I credit with the favourable progress of our Nation, but it is also important to recognize those who served in the past, whether it was at our Government administration or if it was an Elder providing sound advice to a child by a warm campfire at fish-camp.”

Finally, is our Land Use Plan. We have an enormous amount of land that is the life blood of our Nation. It feeds us, shelters us, and feeds our soul. The Land Use Plan project is well underway and is well funded from sources outside of the Tahltan treasury. In fact, collective contributions are about $4.5M. Once completed, this tool will allow our Government to make more timely decisions around the use of our land, it would encompass the wishes of the collective Nation, as well as allow us to formulate well-positioned policies.

In closing, it is apparent that we are trending in a favourable direction as a Nation, both fiscally and as a people. Through sustainable economic development, we have created opportunities for our Tahltan people, we have resources to build up our communities, and we are focused on long-term sustainability measures so future generations will have a land to feed their families, a career opportunity to feed their personal ambitions, and a community to feed their soul. Self-determination is happening right now, and that is because all 3831 Tahltan members contribute to the success of our Nation.

Mēduh! TAHLTAN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – ANNUAL REPORT 2019/2020 TCG Board of Directors

Alice Hamlin Angela Sladen

Carlick Family Eth’eni Family [email protected] [email protected]

Ann Marlene Ball Arlene Corcoran Etzenlee Family Quock (Dekama) Family [email protected] [email protected]

Carmen McPhee Jodi Payne Good-za-ma Family Cawtoonma Family [email protected] [email protected]

Kimberley Marion Lee Marion Simgaldtada Shoe Kawk/Howd-A- (Ts’imgalteda) Family Ghtte (Shukak) Family [email protected] [email protected]

Melva Quock Stikine Claw/Thicke Sandra Marion Family stikineclaw_thicke@ Thud ga Family tahltan.org [email protected]

10 11 TAHLTAN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – ANNUAL REPORT 2019/2020 Department Reports & Updates

As our skilled team grows, we work together to ensure that our

land, and the resources it provides us, are protected . We work to

nurture our people and our culture . We reclaim our history and

preserve our language . We develop skilled workers and assure

safe working practices . Our job is to protect our people and our

Nation, and to support our growth .

13 — Lands Department & THREAT

27 — Wildlife Department

33 — Fisheries Department

43 — Culture & Heritage Department

47 — Education & Training Department

51 — Employment Department

55 — Contracting & Business Development Department

67 — Membership & Genealogy Department

71 — Communications Department

12 TAHLTAN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – ANNUAL REPORT 2019/2020

LandsDEPARTMENT MESSAGE & threat Nalaine Morin was hired as the interim Lands Director Nalaine often gets invited to speak at conferences in the fall when Christine Creyke took her maternity to share information about her work with the Tahltan leave. In this role, Nalaine continued Christine’s work Nation. In 2019, Nalaine participated in a number of of developing the Lands Department to fulfil its role conferences and workshops including: in supporting the Tahltan Central Government’s vision of stewarding Tahltan lands for future generations. • Mineral Roundup Conference. Panel speaker The Lands Department manages implementation for ERM Breakfast Forum (January 30th) and of the Shared Decision Making (SDM) Agreement Traditional knowledge panel (January 29th) at with the Province, the Tahltan Stewardship Initiative the Gathering place in Vancouver. project, technical support services for major projects Nalaine Morin with THREAT, development of forest management • Indigenous Design Principles workshop. Workshop Lands Director tools and special projects. instructor for BGC Engineering Inc. in Vancouver.

Nalaine is the daughter of Janell Creyke and Pierre • Mining 597 Course at UBC. Course instructor for Morin. She has worked for the Tahltan Central Traditional Knowledge and Resource Projects. Government for over 10 years as a Project Manager for THREAT. She continues to provide support to the • Engineers and Geoscientists Professional Tahltan negotiations team on the development and development series. Workshop instructor for implementation of both impact benefit agreements Traditional knowledge and Resource Projects and government to government agreements for held in Vancouver. resource projects in Tahltan Territory. Nalaine is widely known and respected for her work in environmental assessment and has provided support and advice to “I am very proud and honored both the Province and Canada in their recent changes to be working for my Nation to environmental assessment legislation. She is also a member of the standing code committee for the because I believe that we must Health, Safety and Reclamation Code for Mines in manage our lands and resources British Columbia. In addition, Nalaine is a Director on the BC Hydro Board. for future generations. In order to ensure a firm foundation for future Tahltan decision makers, we must build a suite of land decision making tools that will safeguard Tahltan interests on Tahltan lands.”

13 LANDS & THREAT DEPARTMENT MESSAGE

Lands Administration /Governance

A key goal of the Lands Department is the development • Klappan Management Board met virtually on April and implementation of governance tools to further 29th. A revised draft referrals process for the Klappan advance the management of Tahltan lands. These was reviewed and discussed. The referrals process governance tools, like land use planning, will support applies to all applications in the Klappan area and the TCG in decisions regarding proposed projects. provides timelines for consultation, requirements for completed consultation and guidelines to ensure that Department Highlights: any referrals adhere to the Klappan plan.

• The G2G forum met in January and April to review • The Lands Department, with support from Tahltan implementation of the SDM and to discuss leadership, has initiated a project to develop a potential changes that would make the agreement Tahltan Lands Governance framework for the most consistent with principles in the United Tahltan Nation. The Lands Governance Framework Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous will provide a comprehensive decision-making and Peoples and the new Foundation agreement consent regime articulated within the framework discussions between the Tahltan and the Province. document. A draft framework is complete and is currently under review. • The Terms of Reference for the Mineral working group, the G2G forum are being reviewed and updated to align with the principles identified in the Shared Prosperity Agreement between the Tahltan Nation and the Province.

• The Terms of Reference for a Forestry working group is being circulated to members of the working group from the Province/Tahltan. The working group will include the Wildlife Director and Shawn Ducharme. The group has been tasked with several projects including beetle management and wildfire recovery.

• Received grant agreements from the Province for: Wildfire recovery ($20K), Red Chris permit ($15K) review, SDM operations ($1.1M).

• Nalaine Morin is a member of the governance committee for the 3N’s work in CSF. The committee met several times in 2019. During this time, the committee has developed terms of reference, a workplan and an engagement strategy to support the committee’s work. The committee has also identified information needs and commissioned several studies to better understand different decision-making models and other areas of interest.

14 TAHLTAN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – ANNUAL REPORT 2019/2020

Tahltan Stewardship Initiative

1 , 0 7 7, 3 8 0 In August 2019, the Tahltan Lands Department, with TSI Vision ha support from Regenative Design Ltd, applied for and TOTAL AREA OF THE received a grant under the Canada Nature Funds Target “The Tahltan Nation is fulfilling TAHLTAN LAND 1 Challenge for the Tahltan Land Stewardship Initiative STEWARDSHIP INITIATIVE its inherent stewardship Project. The total funds for the project are $5.58M which PROJECT. responsibilities for Tahltan includes funds received from Tides Canada ($1M) and the Wilburforce Foundation ($440K US). A contribution Territory by entering a decision agreement for the grant was signed in October 2019. making relationship with British The project funding is over 4 years from 2019 – 2023. An important driver behind the grant application was the Columbia that is supported identification of important and unique areas that meet by: a land use plan which fully the definition of Indigenous Protected and Conserved integrates Tahltan land interests areas (IPCA) in Tahltan Territory. The IPCA total area is 1,077,380 ha and includes Sheslay, Klappan and the including formal protective Spectrum mineral tenure area. designations for important Tahltan areas; membership input Land stewardship projects, advancements towards reconciliation with the Crown and various management through a formal communications activities at the TCG and with the Lands Department system; a research component that have changed the scope and scale of land stewardship continually improves Tahltan for Tahltan lands and the TCG. Since the initial proposal for the Canada Nature fund grant, additional knowledge and understanding reconciliation projects are being developed which of its lands and resources; formal will be included as part of the Tahltan Stewardship agreements with adjacent First Initiative (TSI) project. The TSI project is built around TCG experience and staffing who will have a key role in Nations for decision making in developing an approach to land stewardship. overlap areas; and internal land

The TSI project will include: management capacity that allows the Tahltan to be full and effective • Tahltan land use planning and Joint land use planning with BC; participants in the working • Engaged and informed membership; aspects of this relationship.” • Developing Tahltan internal capacity; • Defining Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (Sheslay, Spectrum Claims, Klappan); • Advancing our G2G operational land governance relationship; • Developing our knowledge of the land through stewardship projects; and • Developing relationships with neighboring First Nations for overlap areas.

Right: Alanna Quock, Land Planning Project Manager, updating Membership on the planning process at the 2019 AGA.

15 LANDS & THREAT DEPARTMENT MESSAGE

Sources: National Geographic, Esri, Garmin,

RY A PROPOSED IPCAs IN D HERE, UNEP-WCMC, N U BO Y OR IT USGS, NASA, ESA, METI, RR TE N A TAHLTAN TERRITORY LT H NRCAN, GEBCO, NOAA, A Morlley T Lake (MR) HYLAND increment P Corp. Fiish Lake RIVER PARK BLUE//DEASE RIVERS (MR) ECOLOGICAL RESERVE Salmon Habitat

Caribou Habitat

Existing Parks and ProPOtRTecAGEt BedRULE RAAPrIDeasS ECOLOGICAL RESERVE PORTAGE BRULE RAPIDS PROTECTED AREA

CHARLIE COLE CREEK ECOLOGICAL RESERVE TA CH''ILA PARK (A.K..K.A.. BOYA LAKE PARK) ATLIN//A TEIX'GI AAN TLEIN PARK TUYA MOUNTAINS PARK

Nakiina CHICKENS NECK HORNELINE Riiver (MR) CHICKENS NECK MOUNTAIN CREEK PARK ECOLOGICAL RESERVE

DENETIAH CORRIDOR PROTECTED AREA

DALL RIVER OLD GROWTH PARK

DENETIAH PARK DUNE ZA KEYIH PARK [A.K.K..A.. FROG-GATAGA PARK]

PITMAN RIVER STIKINE PROTECTED AREA RIVER PARK

T A H ` L T A N

T E R R Todagiin WMA I T O CHUKACHIDA R MOUNT Y PROTECTED EDZIZA TODAGIN B ` AREA O PARK SOUTH U GLADYS LAKE N SLOPE PARK D ECOLOGICAL A FINLAY R RESERVE Y RUSSEL Todagiin WMA KINASKAN PARK LAKE PARK SPATSIZI PLATEAU WILDERNESS PARK SHESLAY PROPOSED IPCA ` SPATSIZI ISKUT RIVER HEADWATERS HOT SPRINGS PARK PARK TATLATUI PARK

NINGUNSAW SPECTRUM CLAIMS RIVER ECOLOGICAL GREAT RESERVE GLACIER PROPOSED IPCA PARK CHOQUETTE HOT NINGUNSAW SPRINGS PARK PARK

CRAIG HEADWATERS PROTECTED AREA

LAVA KLAPPAN SACRED FORKS PARK SUSTUT PARK DAMDOCHAX PARK BORDER PROTECTED SUSTUT HEADWATERS ZONE LAKE PARK AREA PROTECTED PROPOSED IPCA AREA

Content may not reflect National Geographic's current map policy. Sources: National Geographic, Esri, Garmin, HERE, UNEP-WCMC, USGS, NASA, ESA, METI, NRCAN, GEBCO, NOAA, increment P Corp.

Forestry

The Tahltan negotiations team negotiated and Work on the Forest Stewardship Plan (SFP) has implemented a Forest Tenure Opportunity Agreement begun with Tahltan Forestry and Lands Department and the largest area based First Nations woodland representatives. The forest stewardship plan is a license (FNWL) in the province of BC (over 3,000,000 map-based, landscape-level plan of potential forest ha). The holder of the FNWL is the Tahltan Nation development activities that balance multiple values Development Corporation who have formed a company and address forest health concerns. The work on the called Tahltan Forestry to manage forestry related FSP will align with work done for the Tahltan land use activities under the FNWL. A FNWL is an area-based, plan including consideration and management of long term forest tenure unique to First Nations’ interests important Tahltan values and resources. on the land which includes the opportunity for the protection of traditional use practices and the harvest and management of non-timber forest products.

16 TAHLTAN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – ANNUAL REPORT 2019/2020

Archaeology

In 2019, the Lands Department and our archaeology team A final report was completed and provides evidence of See “Mount Edziza (Duncan McLaren, Vera Asp, Brandon Gray) developed Tahltan land use and occupancy activities in the region. Provincial Park, an Archaeology Inventory Assessment (AIA) plan for This report indicates that the archaeological landscape Archaeological Inventory of Ice Patches in the all fireguards and completed a robust field program in of the area is significant and is another important tool Vicinity of Obsidian areas both on and off reserve lands. During the field we can use as we further develop our governance of Quarries on Kitsu Plateau season, the team had a significant archaeological find Tahltan lands. and Goat Mountain” on which included thirty new archaeology sites and several Page 21 for a synopsis significant obsidian tools. The initial field work was of the full report . completed in the summer of 2019 and a new contract has recently been negotiated to complete additional Mushroom Harvesting field work sometime in the future. A final report for the 2019 field season was completed. Monitoring

In the late summer of 2019, the archaeology team The Lands Department implemented the mushroom completed an archaeological survey of the ice patches harvesting management plan in 2019 with the Tahltan near vast obsidian quarries found by Goat Mountain Guardians. The plan was being managed by the Wildlife and Kitsu Plateau in Mt Edziza Provincial Park. Duncan Department with support from the Lands Department. McLaren, a member of the archaeology team reported: The Guardians inspected a number of harvesting sites “We had a successful field session over the last four and camps to ensure all visitors to Tahltan Territory days on Mount Edziza. We were able to fly in each were following the rules and guidelines the Lands Department developed (i.e. no ATVs, no soap in any day and examine quite a few ice patches. Below waterways, no visitors in the no-harvest zone, etc.). those near obsidian sources we found organic A non-timber resource permit was developed and artifacts including: large fragments of sewn Birch implemented for morel mushrooms harvesting. The permit can also be transferred to other non-timber bark (baskets parts most likely), walking sticks, cut resources (i.e. pine mushrooms, berries, medicinal poles and staffs, a wooden point, antler tools, sticks plants, etc.) if Tahltan decide to further monitor other wrapped with hide, a fragmented hide pouch or shoe, plant resources in Tahltan Territory. a spear foreshaft, as well as heaps of obsidian. These ice patches are disappearing quickly, in particular Exploration those near the obsidian sources on Kitsu Plateau.” In 2019, the Lands Department worked on a new Right: Antler ice pick, ~5463-5308 years old. system to track permitting for mineral exploration Photo by Brendan Gray. activity in Tahltan Territory. Currently there are 112 Notice of Work applications/permits for mineral/ Source: Mount Edziza Provincial placer activities. 81 of the NOWs are approved, Park, Archaeological 18 are in referral and 1 does not require a permit. Inventory of Ice Patches in the Vicinity of Obsidian A joint COVID-19 management team has been Quarries on Kitsu Plateau and Goat Mountain – developed with the Province to review emergency Figure 24. COVID-19 response plans for exploration projects intending on working in Tahltan Territory this summer. The plans must meet the Pandemic guidelines developed by 3N’s Society as well as any public health orders developed by the Province.

17 LANDS & THREAT DEPARTMENT MESSAGE

THREAT The Tahltan Heritage Resources Environmental Assessment Team (THREAT) provides technical services to the Lands Department and Tahltan Leadership .

Specific tasks include: SILVERTIP MINE ESKAY CREEK PROJECT • assessing potential impacts from new The Lands Department continues to work Skeena Resources is proposing the and existing industrial development on with Provincial and Kaska representatives development of an open-pit gold mine in Tahltan Territory; on the establishment of environmental the location of the Old Eskay Creek mine. • identifying options for avoiding or committees that are required under the The mine will focus on the development of mitigating impacts; amended Mines Act and Environment gold resources that were not mined during • ensuring that Tahltan people are Management Act permits for the project. the operation of the original Eskay Creek meaningfully informed and engaged in mine. The project is in the early stages of major project reviews; and In March 2020, the Silvertip mine went into project planning and has not yet entered the care and maintenance. environmental assessment process. • ensuring Tahltan knowledge is considered and incorporated in resource development KSM PROJECT Representatives from the Lands Department projects on Tahltan lands. and THREAT have met with Skeena to THREAT is comprised of a team of THREAT members completed the review discuss some aspects of the project community and technical experts. of a Notice of Work application filed for the including environmental baseline studies and Iron Cap Exploration Adit. The draft permits community engagement for the permitting (Mines Acts, effluent) have been reviewed process including environmental assessment. Project Updates and final comments from the company have been discussed with the Province. A final GALORE CREEK PROJECT RED CHRIS MINE report along with recommendations from the Lands Department has been provided to the A Tahltan Land Use study for the project We received and reviewed several regulatory statutory decision makers (MEMPR, MOECC) was completed. applications throughout the year including for a decision on the permits. exploration activities (Notice of Deemed The Environmental Performance Authorization, Multi-year area-based permit The Lands Department has received a referral Committee met several times in 2019 to application) and the applications for an for several applications to support the discuss the project including environmental expansion of the Red Chris camp facilities. development of a fisheries compensation baseline studies. project required for the KSM project. Work is also being done to review and The Lands Director participated in a site provide input on several studies and reports KUTCHO CREEK PROJECT visit with senior representatives from with the company including a human health Tahltan leadership, and various Provincial risk assessment and the 2019 Lakes, Aquatic A project description was completed in 2019. Government agencies. The group received a Effect Monitoring reports and annual reports. The project entered the EA process in 2019 tour of the site and discussed aspects of the and a Section 10 and 11 order were issued. proposed project including next steps. The Environmental Oversite Committee Work on the project is temporarily halted by (EOC) met several times to update the terms the company pending additional funding. of reference and develop a new workplan for the committee. The EOC also discussed exploration planning as well as proposed environmental/social studies for the mine.

The Independent Engineering review panel’s meetings were on May 13-15th. The meetings were held virtually and Nalaine Morin participated.

18 TAHLTAN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – ANNUAL REPORT 2019/2020

Below-Left: Hon. Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development signing the Klappan Plan.

Right: Map of the Klappan Plan. Source: Tahltan Central Government and the Province of British Columbia – Klappan Plan – Maps Amended February 16, 2018.

KLAPPAN PLAN

On August 27th the Tahltan and the Province of BC in Tahltan Territory between the Province and the participated in a signing ceremony for the Klappan Tahltan. The management board will develop an Plan. The plan was signed in Tahltan Territory innovative decision making and management with Tahltan leadership, community members and model for the Klappan; a model that respects members of the Klappan Board. Minister Doug and acknowledges Tahltan Title and Rights. The Donaldson also attended the ceremony. board includes members of the Tahltan Nation (President Chad Norman Day, Chief Marie Quock The planning process for the Klappan Plan started in and Nalaine Morin) and Provincial representatives 2013 with the Province. The Klappan planning process from various ministries (Howard Davies, Ryan was started through the Klappan Strategic Initiative Holmes and Stewart Dickson). (KSI). The KSI involved developing an understanding of the Klappan area, including Tahltan knowledge The Klappan Board is currently working on and scientific information which was gathered and management objectives for the Sacred Headwaters summarized in a technical report. The KSI provided Zone in the Klappan Plan and a referrals process for support and guidance for the next phase of planning, coal referrals in Zone C. called the Klappan Plan. You can read the Klappan Plan at the following link: The Klappan Plan includes: the Klappan Plan, Land https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/ Map, Management Board terms of reference and natural-resource-stewardship/consulting-with-first- Wildlife side letter. The Klappan Management Board nations/first-nations/klappan_plan.pdf is a new management approach for land planning

19 THE KLAPPAN PLAN

A NEW PATH FORWARD Protecting the Sacred Headwaters of the Klappan Valley

Article provided by the Government of British Columbia.

The Klappan Valley is a remote area located 150 Under the Klappan Plan, a land-use agreement signed kilometres southeast of Dease Lake in northern B.C., in 2019, the Nation and B.C. government are working and is the territorial land of the Tahltan Nation. together in new ways to protect and manage the Known as the Sacred Headwaters, the valley is the Sacred Headwaters, and respect the Nation’s rights in birthplace of three salmon-bearing rivers: the the Klappan Valley. Skeena River, Nass River, and Stikine River, and also Above: Tahltan leadership the valley’s namesake, Klappan River. The agreement sets out plans for how the 620,000 and members and representatives of the B.C. hectares of the Klappan Valley can be used. It allows provincial government Tahltan oral history holds that the Sacred Headwaters different uses in different zones. One area can have mark the signing of the are the place where the Earth was first created and no major industrial development for at least 20 years. Klappan Plan Aug 27, 2019 where Tahltan culture began. The Klappan Valley holds In another zone, any industrial development must near Iskut. many different values – spiritual, social, economic and reflect Tahltan cultural and archaeological values. environmental values, which are important to the Tahltan, And in a third area, industrial activities are allowed. the province and to all the peoples living in B.C. Because No industrial development can happen in the Sacred this area is so valuable, there is conflict, as different Headwaters zone. groups argue over which values are more important. The Klappan Plan has created predictability and The region contains some of the richest coal potential stability for the people living and working in the area, in B.C., and mining operations have been a source of and for the companies operating there. And it has concern for decades. After many high-profile protests helped advance reconciliation between Tahltan Nation and court cases, the Province stopped all coalbed and the Province. methane development and began talks to give the Tahltan Nation a greater role in resource development View the original article at: decision-making, including land-use planning. declaration.gov.bc.ca/2019/10/15/the-klappan-valley

20 Mount Edziza Provincial Park, Archaeological Inventory of Ice Patches in the Vicinity of Obsidian Quarries on Kitsu Plateau and Goat Mountain

Report & Photography by Duncan McLaren and Brendan Gray | Artifact Photography by Genevieve Hill and Duncan McLaren The following is abridged from the final report. Please contact the TCG Lands Department to access the full report.

OVERVIEW

During the course of survey, over 50 perishable artifacts were found in the vicinity of ice patches in the study area. Objects included stitched birch bark containers, walking staffs, carved and beveled sticks, an atlatl dart foreshaft and a stitched hide object. Radiocarbon ages on 13 collected perishable artifacts reveal that they span the last 7,000 years.

Above: Figure 8. Photo of birch bark container fragment (DM 25) showing stitchery patterns. Photo by Genevieve Hill.

All of these finds were made against a massive and stunning backdrop of scattered obsidian artifacts: bifaces, cores, flakes and raw material nodules.

The archaeological landscape of the area is extremely significant. Significant impacts to the sites are occurring as a result of warming climatic conditions. It is possible that many of these sites will be completely destroyed if conditions continue to warm.

21 MOUNT EDZIZA ICE PATCH REPORT SYNOPSIS

Above: Figure 45. HiTq-22, Above: Figure 46. HiTq-22, large obsidian biface (BG 178). large obsidian biface (BG 183). Above: Figure 1. Location of Study Area (Mt. Edziza Provincial Park) in Red. Photo: Brendan Gray. Photo: Brendan Gray.

RECOMMENDATIONS DISCUSSION

As a result of our findings, we make several recommendations. Ice The results of this work demonstrate without question that ice patch archaeology sites in the jurisdiction of British Columbia area patches in the vicinity of alpine obsidian quarries contain significant being impacted by climate change and it is clear that there needs to perishable artifacts. Based on our findings, it appears that the primary be a Provincial policy to manage these impacts. As it stands right reason people were accessing the alpine in the area was for quarrying now, the impacts are not being mitigated in an appropriate manner, obsidian. That being said, hunting also factored into use of the area, as particularly when one considers the approaches being taken in the revealed by the atlatl foreshaft, wooden point and possible atlatl board Yukon and Northwest Territories. The ice patch archaeology sites of fragment. As noted by Fladmark (1985), obsidian flaking stations are Mount Edziza Provincial Park are being heavily impacted by climate often located in places with great panoramic views of the surrounding change and should be managed appropriately as per the British landscape (e.g. Figure 58); these may have been deliberately located so Columbia Heritage Conservation Act. A committee of Tahltan and as to be able to spot game while reducing obsidian. Provincial stakeholders should be formed to consider whether the obsidian quarries and associated ice patches should be designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site. During years when there is low snow pack and high melt, ice patches in the park should continue to be surveyed and monitored for additional perishable artifacts. Future work in the area should include ice coring or sampling of stratified ice patches for paleoenvironmental investigations. Future archaeological work in the park will benefit from continued collaboration with groups like the Tahltan Tene Mehodihi youth group hike.

Above: Figure 47. HiTq-22, Above: Figure 48. HiTq-22, large large obsidian biface (DM13). obsidian biface found near ice patch Photo: Duncan McLaren. (HiTq-19). Photo: Brendan Gray.

Curiously, we did not find any obsidian bifacial projectile points, atlatl or arrow. All of the bifaces found were very large preforms, this fitting with the apparent pattern of quarrying, where large bifaces appear to have been the primary items manufactured and then taken below the alpine zone. Indeed, almost all of the finished projectile points found by Fladmark (1985) occurred closer to or below the present day treeline. This suggests an established practice whereby alpine quarries were frequented and obsidian was mined and initially manufactured Above: Figure 44. HiTq-22, erratic in the form of large bifaces. These bifaces were then transported to Above: Figure 30. Chopped antler with melting ice patch (HiTq-19) BG180 6883-6745 cal BP. Chop marks and obsidian cores and flakes. the treeline, or beyond, where conditions were more hospitable and are on at the top end of the artifact. Photo: D. McLaren. firewood easily available.

22 TAHLTAN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – ANNUAL REPORT 2019/2020

The two stitched birch bark basket fragments are different objects found at different sites (HiTq-13 and HiTq-19), dating to different time periods: 1612-1448 and 2306-2062 Cal BP. Given the location in which it was found, it seems very likely that this type of birch bark container was used to carry heavy obsidian out of the quarry.

The stitched hide object from HiTq-19 was found in a frozen heap on the slope just under the ice patch. The radiocarbon age associated with the object is 6406-6219 cal BP, making this one of the oldest preserved hide objects that we are aware of. This artifact is currently being thawed and carefully unfolded at the Royal BC Museum. It may be possible, if enough of it is intact, to determine its function once this process is complete. Above: Figure 57. HiTq-22, concentration of obsidian flakes (BG 16). Photo: Duncan McLaren.

The span of radiocarbon ages from this field work demonstrates direct evidence of repeated use of the alpine obsidian quarries over the last 7,000 years. Radiocarbon-dated archaeological assemblages from coastal Alaska with identified Edziza obsidian suggest that these quarries were used even earlier, as far back as 10,000 years ago (Reimer 2015). Presumably there is a possibility that perishable objects of this antiquity may be found in the ice patches around the Kitsu Plateau as well.

Above: Figure 38. Stitched hide object (BG 163) dated to 6406-6219 cal BP. Photo by Brendan Gray.

Above: Figure 58. HiTq-22, view NE over obsidian work stations and lookout revealed by retreating ice (BG 127). Photo: Duncan McLaren.

SIGNIFICANCE EVALUATION

Above: Figure 39. Knotted sinew end of stitch (BG 163). Photo by The archaeology of Goat Mountain and Kitsu Plateau is Genevieve Hill. highly significant:

Goat Mountain must be considered a major Native and historical landmark in northern British Columbia, since the extent and density of cultural material in the locality is probably not equaled by any other known lithic site context in the province. When Goat Mountain is coupled with the extremely rich site concentrations in Artifact and Bourgeaux Valleys, the amount of surface material is truly staggering. It makes sense to view this area as a unit–rather than as a cluster of individual sites–since the intensity and visibility of Aboriginal occupation is clearly mainly due to the presence of the Goat Mountain quarries (Fladmark 1985:82).

This study adds to these observations by revealing that the ice patches Above: Figure 56. HiTq-22, obsidian boulder with flake scars (BG 197). associated with the obsidian scatters contain ancient perishable Photo: Brendan Gray. objects. These findings only increased the significance of the landscape.

23 MOUNT EDZIZA ICE PATCH REPORT SYNOPSIS

ASSESSMENT OF RESEARCH ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

Field research for this project occurred over a four-day This project was funded by the BC Parks License Plate Program and the Tahltan period in July of 2019. The amount of archaeology Central Government. Many thanks to the individuals and organizations that that was encountered in these four days was truly helped support this project. staggering, and the modest funding that was provided by the BC Parks License Plate Program was not enough to pay most of the people involved or for the analysis and reporting that ensued. For this reason, most of the perishable objects that were found and encountered were not collected. These are not easy artifacts to stabilize and curate and for this reason we had to make the difficult decision to leave most behind.

Analysis of the collected perishable objects has focused primarily on radiocarbon dating and determination of func- tion. One glaring omission is that we have not undertaken cellular analysis on the wooden artifacts to determine species. It is hoped that this may occur in the future.

In spite of these omissions, it is our contention that this project was hugely successful. It set out to examine the ice patches of the study area for perishable objects. Based on good timing, intuition and some luck, we were very successful in this endeavor. Above: Figure 60. Ice patch below artifact ridge.

LAB ID SUBMITTER ID MATERIAL 14C YR BP

Left: Radiocarbon UOC-11006 1 Antler chopped Antler 5976 Dating Results. Years Before Present. UOC-11007 2 Antler tool Antler 4639

UOC-11010 3 Bevelled stick Wood 1227

UOC-11011 4 Carved wood Wood 1705

UOC-11012 5 Wood point Wood 5316

UOC-11013 6 Foreshaft Wood 2297

UOC-11014 7 Birch bark basket Wood 2161

UOC-11015 8 Sewn hide object Hide/skin 5523

UOC-11016 9 Hide wrapped stick Wood 2889

UOC-11017 10 Birch bark basket Wood 1649

UOC-11018 11 Six foot stick Wood 2473

UOC-11019 12 Stick with cuts Wood 6089

UOC-11020 13 Tree from ic Wood 5740

UOC-11021 14 Staff Wood 1812

24 JADE AND PLACER UPDATE

In 2019, TCG president Chad Norman Day released a statement demanding a moratorium on jade and placer mining* in Tahltan Territory. He then served eviction notices to a number of jade sites operating in our Territory. This strong Tahltan statement, which identified numerous concerns including the operations’ impacts on Tahltan Title and Rights and the environment, also stated a very important point: jade and placer miners do not have our permission to mine in our Territory.

Since the release of President Day’s statement, the Province and TCG have been working on a plan to address our concerns, including issuing an order under section 7 of the Environment and Land Use Act to prohibit placer jade mining decisions on all placer jade mining in northern BC and will be in effect for 2 years. The area of the order includes all of Tahltan Territory and will affect any new applications or amendments to existing jade placer operations in the region.

Currently, there are 24 permits for jade mining. All but six of them will expire before the order ends. The Province will consider no new applications for placer jade activities during the deferral period. The Province, Tahltan and other First Nations affected by placer jade activities will now work together in a technical committee to develop higher operational and reclamation standards.

*Placer jade mining is defined as the removal of large jade boulders (which can be 20-30 tons) located in the glacial till (sediment) above the bedrock. The heavy earth moving equipment used to mine placer jade often has significant impacts on the environment.

A ‘placer deposit’ or ‘placer’ refers to an accumulation of valuable material having been transported from its original location of deposition by gravity separation during the sedimentary process. In the case of placer jade, the final deposition was dominantly controlled by ancient glacier movement, whereby jade boulders and other erratic material were deposited by glacial retreat. Operators often prefer mining jade boulders compared to in-situ outcrop deposits, which are more weathered and susceptible to cracking and degrading.

Above: Chad Norman Day, Scott Hawkins and Kim Marion serving notices to cease operations in Tahltan Territory.

TAHLTAN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – ANNUAL REPORT 2019/2020

WildlifeDEPARTMENT MESSAGE & HIGHLIGHTS

3 Nations Collaborative Stewardship Framework

Since I began my position in April of 2019, I have had to Consistent with the new model of governance, the familiarize myself, over a relatively short time, with the Tahltan Nation is part of a pilot project enabling amazing work done by the 3 Nations. co-management between the Province and the Tahltan Nation. Embedded in the new direction of resource The 3 Nations is a partnership between management is the Tahltan Nation’s holistic approach the Tahltan, Kaska and Tlingit. A large part to wildlife management and their strong recognition of balanced predator-to-prey ratios as an integral of my direction comes from the 3 Nations component of a healthy ecosystem. TCG recognizes the Collaborative Stewardship Framework importance of the guiding industry and their ability to be Lance Nagwan an effective part of balancing the grizzly bear, wolf, and (CSF) Technical Working Group. other predator populations within Tahltan Territory. Wildlife Director The CSF provides three million dollars over three years Part of the draft Tahltan Predator Management Plan (2018-2020) to the 3 Nations, enabling us to operate (currently being reviewed by leadership) outlines $3,000,000 the Tahltan Guardians Program. the objectives of the 2020 Wolf Collaring Project. The project’s $62,000 budget is funded by the Indigenous OVER THREE YEARS, PROVIDED BY THE CSF, The CSF builds our capacity to deliver shared Protected and Conservation Area (IPCA) award. ENABLING THE TAHLTAN reconciliation and stewardship outcomes, informed The support allowed TCG to purchase VHF Radio GUARDIANS PROGRAM by natural resource management processes. It is a Telemetry equipment for the Wildlife Department, as TO OPERATE. way for Indigenous governments and communities well as 15 LowTec collars. Part of our overall strategy to collaborate on natural resource stewardship in is to collar wolves from identified packs in Tahltan the Province. Through the CSF Year 3 work planning, Territory (which unfortunately was delayed from its we identified our priorities and short and long-term March 2020 start date by the COVID-19 restrictions). goals. We developed a detailed plan for moving forward, focused on wildlife, habitat requirements We deferred the expected helicopter captures and reducing conflict between Nation and non-Nation of wolves by chemical immobilization (darting) hunters. Moving forward, we expect the Tahltan Central techniques to November 2020. The Province extended Government and the Province to sign an Information our Animal Capture Permits to include the change Sharing Agreement outlining confidential data in date. This project allows us to train our Guardians management between the respective parties. in Wildlife Chemical Immobilization, furthering the professional development and capacity of the Wildlife The Tahltan Nation possesses unceded Aboriginal Department. With the training, the Guardians can rights to their territory, including the rights to manage the become identified Darter/Shooters on future projects. land and resources. In late 2019, the British Columbia This TCG-initiated project is expected to produce three Government adopted the United Nations Declaration years of data, including wolves’ territorial boundaries, on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP), giving diet, populations and impacts on ungulate populations. BC’s First Nations unprecedented control over the As real-time GPS data becomes available, we can management of the natural resources on their territories. adapt our predator management actions.

27 WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT MESSAGE

Guardian Program Update Trapping Program

The Tahltan Guardians began the 2019 summer season with the Morel In November we transitioned into trapping season Mushroom Program. The Guardians administered a Morel information by launching the Tahltan Predator Trapping Program package and permitting program for the entirety of the picking season (which, incidentally, was delayed by unusually warm and were tasked with campsite inspections, garbage pickup and environmental conditions in November and December). sanitation. Overall, the program resulted in a success as conflicts In February of 2020, Kyle Lay from Layers Kennels came between local land users and commercial pickers were minimal. to Dease Lake to teach a refresher course to the Tahltan Tahltan citizens also benefited from our area closures, which allowed Guardians. He taught them a specialized wolf trapping only Tahltan pickers. The Guardians were also trained in Human/ technique focused on entire pack removal and wolf Wildlife Conflict Awareness by the Dease Lake Conservation Officer. behaviour. I joined the three-day course, which included a day in the classroom to learn systematic pack removal techniques and trapping laws, followed by two days in Jarett Quock left our department the field to practice setting the traps. last spring but he has now returned from a lengthy medical leave. We are extremely grateful that he is back and able to return to work. His leadership and traditional knowledge are of tremendous importance to our Wildlife Department.

Clements Brace stepped up during Jarett’s absence, taking on the role of lead Guardian over the past year. He deserves my gratitude and appreciation for his continued dedication to the priorities of the Wildlife Department.

Brianna Tashoots recently completed her Year 3 Environmental Science at UBC Okanagan. She will return as a Tahltan Guardian for her second summer. Over the past year, Brianna was designated as the Environmental Guardian. She participated in several Provincial Mine Site Inspections in Tahltan Territory, as well as in Transboundary Watershed Samplings of the lower Stikine and Unuk Watersheds.

Last year, we hired Richard and Thornton Louie, from Iskut, as Above: Guardian Jarett Quock utilizing a hunter's Tahltan Guardians during the resident hunting season from August leftover carcass for wolf trapping. to November. They collected harvester data and monitored hunter activity in the region. The Tahltan Guardians were supplied with twenty (Lay 65) customized Wolf Traps to initiate the Tahltan Predator Trapping Program in their respective community areas. Following their completion of the course, we hired Jamie Henyu and Frances Day to trap in the Telegraph Creek area and Richard and Thornton Louie to trap in the Iskut community area. Shelby Marion was on call to assist the Dease Lake Guardians’ trapping efforts. The Guardians caught four wolves in Dease Lake. The program may also provide funding to conduct predator health sampling analysis.

28 TAHLTAN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – ANNUAL REPORT 2019/2020

Tseneglode Caribou Herd

In 2018-2019, we focused on deploying ten collars on the Northern Mountain Population of the Tseneglode Woodland 10 Caribou Herd. The collaring occurred on April 3, 2019, with COLLARS DEPLOYED ON THE Tahltan Guardians involved in the capture, handling, and TSENEGLODE CARIBOU HERD. collection of samples from ten caribou. This project has provided valuable information on herd distribution.

In 2020, we purchased twenty Lotek Collars for the Tseneglode herd. The IPCA award funded $53,000 and the 20 BC Caribou Recovery Funding gave $37,000, supporting COLLARS PURCHASED FOR FUTURE TSENEGLODE ten hours of helicopter capture time. COVID-19 restrictions CARIBOU HERD MONITORING. delayed this year’s collar deployment.

Right: Clements Brace fitting a collar on a Caribou as part of the program.

Level Mountain /Kawdy Plateau Caribou Herd

In 2020, we plan to collar caribou in the Level Mountain/ 20 Kawdy Plateau herd as well. With $56,000 in IPCA funding, COLLARS PURCHASED FOR FUTURE LEVEL MOUNTAIN we purchased twenty GPS collars. They are ready for /KAWDY PLATEU CARIBOU deployment, but COVID-19 delayed this project as well. MONITORING. We expect to proceed in November of 2020.

29 WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT REPORT Tseneglode Herd Caribou

30 TAHLTAN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – ANNUAL REPORT 2019/2020

Canyon-dwelling

Isbā* (Mountain Goat) Survey Tahtl’ah (Dease Lake) *isbā is the Tahltan word for mountain goat

Tuya River Highway 37 In 2018, the Government of British Columbia extended the boundary of Limited Entry Hunt Zone 6-22A to include Tuya Canyon, a large area that had previously been General Open Season for mountain goats. This change was made in response to increased harvest Tuya Canyon Stikine (Zone 6-22A) River observed in the Tuya Canyon, potentially from increased Stikine Canyon human access. (Zone 6-21C) Buckley Lake

Tlēgōhīn To Tuwe’chōn One ve-hour helicopter ight A Wildlife Guardian from the Tahltan (Telegraph (Iskut) Creek) Central Government and two B.C. Wildlife Biologists were observers on the survey

The change to hunting regulations, as well as impacts to canyon-dwelling mountain goat habitat by the Alkali Lake res, created a need for up-to-date population Assumes 75% of goats were seen estimates. In 2020, a population survey was performed in Tuya Canyon and the neighbouring Stikine Canyon (Zone 6-21C), which falls within the Stikine River Provincial Park.

TUYA CANYON (ZONE 6-22A) STIKINE CANYON (ZONE 6-21C) Adults 109 27 Incidental Sightings: Tuya Canyon (Zone 6-22A) Kids 31 11 • 3 thinhorn sheep • 35 elk Unknown 0 2 • 28 moose Total 140 40 Stikine Canyon (Zone 6-21C)

SURVEY RESULTS SURVEY • 10 moose

Population 175 50 Estimate* * Population estimates are calculated using a correction factor that assumes Kid:Adult that 75% of goats were seen. Ratio 28:100 41:100

The population estimates calculated from these surveys will be used to inform harvest management for the area.

The survey was conducted through a collaborative eort between the Province and the Tahltan First Nation and was funded through the Collaborative Stewardship Framework. The total cost of the survey was $8,020.

For more detailed information on this survey, please contact [email protected] and/or [email protected]

31 WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT MESSAGE

Wildlife Stats Jade Boulder Stone at a Glance Sheep Project 2020 Results from the Stikine/Tuya Canyon Mountain Goat Survey: The project, titled: Stones Sheep Seasonal Movements, LEH Zone 6-21C (includes east end of Stikine Canyon to Hwy 37): Mortality and Habitat in Relation to the Industrial Resource Road Use in the Caribou Pass and Dome 38 Mountain Area, is completed. TOTAL GOATS 10 27 ADULTS TOTAL 11 KIDS MOOSE It now provides critical information on the seasonal and daily movements of LEH Zone 6-22A Stones sheep in the Dome Mountain (includes portion of Tuya River and west end of Stikine River): area, particularly during periods of 140 high industry activity along the Jade TOTAL GOATS 10 35 Boulder Road. 109 ADULTS TOTAL TOTAL 31 KIDS MOOSE ELK This project was a collaborative effort between TCG and Tahltan Guide & Outfitters Association, with 1 3 the support of non-governmental organizations and TOTAL TOTAL industrial partners such as Kutcho Copper Corp. MULE DEER SHEEP and the Wild Sheep Foundation.

2019 Klappan Moose Survey

In the Klappan Population Management Unit:

94 197 48 TOTAL BULLS TOTAL COWS TOTAL CALVES

Representatives from the Wildlife Department are in several working groups and committees, including:

• Moose Action Plan • Tahltan Stewardship Working Group Initiative Steering Committee • BC/Tahltan Fish and Wildlife Working Group • Newcrest/ Red Chris Wildlife Management • Forestry Working Group Advisory Committee » Spruce/Pine/Bark • Brucejack Wildlife Beetle Management Advisory • Highways- Ministry of Committee Transportation Working • Tahltan/Eskay Creek Group Environmental Assessment • Jade Boulder Working Group

32 TAHLTAN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – ANNUAL REPORT 2019/2020

FisheriesDEPARTMENT MESSAGE

Ongoing Chinook Conservation Concerns

In 2019 the Stikine watershed saw an estimated Tahltan Fisheries would like to ask terminal (or final) run size of 14,283 large Chinook ALL members not to set their food returning to spawn. This was an improvement from 2018, when only an estimated 8,844 large Chinook fishing nets until the Sockeye start returned*. The 2020 pre-season forecast is for 13,400 running. Please assist our efforts to large Chinook to return, still well below the 10-year average of 19,400. The Chinook’s decline is of huge save the Chinook salmon populations concern to the Tahltan Nation and even an international of the Stikine. We would also like to issue for Canada and the US. Both countries are taking ask everyone to record and release Cheri Frocklage serious measures to avoid the harvest of Chinook salmon. Measures include: Fisheries Director any healthy Chinook from their nets. • No directed commercial or assessment fishery; The number of Chinook released is • Non-retention of all Chinook (dead or alive) in the important data for us as managers of recreational fishery; • Closure of the Tahltan river from the confluence of the Food Fishery in Telegraph Creek. the Stikine up; and STOCK ASSESSMENT BIO CONTRACT • Delaying of the Sockeye commercial fishery to minimize the incidental catches of Chinook. $234,000 covered our 2019 field season and provided employment for approximately twelve field employees from April to October.

Kerry Carlick Fisheries Manager TERMINAL RUN ESTIMATES OF LARGE STIKINE CHINOOK FROM 2002-2019









*This table illustrates the decline of Stikine Chinook.                  

33 FISHERIES DEPARTMENT MESSAGE

34 List of Projects

Chinook/Coho Coded Wire Tagging kicked off the season in April. Drew and Kyle Inkster assisted with the initial set up of camp, boats, and gear, followed by smolt capture until the Chinook drift started up. Tahltan Fisheries staff members Jared Dennis, Michael Nole, Noreen McLean and Raina Feldman provided technical and cook support to this international project. A total of 35,770 Chinook salmon smolts were captured and tagged along with 8,9600 Coho salmon smolts. Although the tagging quotas were not met (50,000 Chinook; 10,000 Coho), the crew’s extensive capture and tagging efforts resulted in an increase in the tags applied compared to the prior season. A big shout out to staff member Jared Dennis for stepping up and into the tagging shack this year! Great work Jared. And to Raina Feldman for juggling such a big crew and providing nourishing meals in a very confined work space… Raina, you are incredible. Mēduh to you.

Lower Stikine Chinook Tagging was staffed by Kyle and Drew Inkster working with the US crew at Kakwan Point down on the US side of the border. The team applied 197 tags to large Chinook salmon. Low numbers are a direct reflection of the trending poor Chinook returns. Tags were recovered throughout the various fisheries and specific spawner index sites.

Commercial Sampling was conducted by Jared Dennis and a Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) representative. Samples were taken for analysis from the Lower Stikine commercial fishing operations throughout the Sockeye commercial openings.

Sockeye Smolt Enumeration at Tahltan Lake was operated by Sheldon Dennis, Michael Nole, and Regan Asp along with DFO personnel Adam Brennan. Smolt traps were set in Johnny Tashoots Creek resulting in a count of 1.6 million Sockeye salmon smolts leaving the lake, just shy of the forecast of 1.7 million. Otolith sampling showed 71.5% enhanced and 28.5% wild smolt composition.

Managers are working hard to keep within the 50-50 guidelines set by the Pacific Salmon Treaty, but it is challenging due to an unknown decrease in wild fry to smolt survivals. Lower wild survival could be related to temperature change or tied to water flow/snowpack. At the March 2020 Enhancement Sub Committee (ESC) meeting, this concern was discussed at length. Recommendations from the ESC members are to increase the hydrology/groundwater field data collection and to review the more recent wild survival rates and use those in the formula to forecast fry to smolt survivals instead of the prior average. Adjusting the 2020 egg take target to a lower point of 2.5 million is also being considered. The 2020 Stikine Enhancement Production Plan (SEPP) was presented to the Transboundary Panel in February of 2020, with an egg take target of 5 million. The target will be determined based on the escapement and wild smolt survival rates for the 2020 season. Discussions are ongoing.

35 FISHERIES DEPARTMENT REPORT

Little Tahltan Chinook Enumeration and Sampling was staffed by Sheldon Dennis, John Nole, and Albert Dennis. 536 large and 1,002 jack Chinook salmon were counted through the weir using a video camera monitoring system to reduce handling and stressing the returning Chinook salmon. The Little Tahltan stock has seen declining returns since 2007. The optimum escapement is 3,300, as per the Transboundary Technical Committee Management Plan.

The system wide escapement goal was not met. A total of 13,667 Chinook salmon are estimated in the 2019 return to the entire Stikine, still below the 10-year average of 16,400 but a significant improvement over the 2018 system wide escapement of 8,768 returning adults.

Marine survivals have been trending downward throughout the Pacific and the State of Alaska has been studying the cause of this trend. Both the US and Canada have made huge efforts and adjustments to their fisheries in response to the Chinook conservation concerns.

Tahltan Lake Adult Enumeration and Sampling commenced in July of 2019 with the construction of the adult weir in preparation for the arrival of the returning Sockeye spawners. Michael Nole and Kyle Inkster (TFP Supervisors), Regan Asp and DFO staff counted 36,621 Sockeye spawners through the weir. This is well above the 10-year average of 26,676 adults. The higher return was partially influenced by the low forecast of Stikine mainstem spawners and Lower Stikine commercial fishery adjustments in openings to minimize harvest of mainstem returns (thus additional, Below: Tagging adult Chinook Tahltan Lake bound Sockeye were also not intercepted). on the lower Stikine.

36 TAHLTAN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – ANNUAL REPORT 2019/2020

Other Projects

TAHLTAN LAKE EGG TAKE Crew members were Richard Erhardt, Cheri the Stikine just above the US-Canada border (1989-2019) Frocklage, Jared Dennis, Kyle Inkster, Drew and aerial counts done by Tahltan Fisheries Inkster, John P. Nole, Noreen Mclean, Derek in late October. The pilot project involved Under the new Treaty arrangements, Louie, Sheldon Dennis, and Michael Nole. testing sonar imaging to enumerate or count the performance of the 2018 Stikine Raina Feldman returned as our camp cook salmon as they swam by a sonar beam Enhancement Production Plan (SEPP) has and provided meals and general camp readable on special computer software. This been evaluated and accepted by the bilateral cleaning for the course of the project. A big technology shoots a beam of sonar through Transboundary River Panel and signed off shout out to Raina for all the great meals and the water while a weir directs the fish into by the Canadian and Alaskan Chairs. Of the for keeping us all so well fed and content. the strongest part of the beam. A signal 2.5 million eggs delivered to Snettisham in goes to the computer, projecting an image the Fall of 2018, approximately 1.95 million Thanks to the pilots and ground crew of BC that can be reviewed later or in real time.* smolts were released into Tahltan Lake in the Yukon Air for providing crew and grocery Each possible fish is counted and measured Spring of 2019. delivery flights and for expediting this on the computer. This technology is very project. We also extend our gratitude to the appealing as it dramatically reduces handling The 3.3 million surviving fry resulting from the pilots of Ward Air and Coastal Helicopters of the fish. We tested on the Kateti and the 2019 egg take were flown back to Tahltan Lake from Juneau for egg haul flights. We truly Chutine, as these rivers have the highest in the Spring of 2020 for release immediately appreciate all the people on the other end concentrations of Coho and most ideal after ice out. The hatchery reported a high that make sure the fuel, propane, supplies environmental conditions (e.g. river size, instance of IHN in the Tahltan Lake incubators; and groceries keep coming in… we could not location, access, etc.) for the technology. as a result, one incubator was destroyed. do it without you. The Tahltan Fisheries staff on this project were Kerry Carlick, Sheldon Dennis and Jared Since 2010 we have increased fishing efforts A big thank you to DFO for use of the Dennis. The project was slated to continue at Tahltan Lake to ensure we capture camp facilities and additional ongoing in 2020 but COVID-19 postponed it until the adequate broodstock to provide 5 million improvements to the egg take infrastructure. 2021 season. Sockeye eggs to the Snettisham Hatchery The new shower building at the lake was in Alaska. Our efforts include the retention such a welcome improvement. of all green females captured at the primary 8 8 spawning site and an augmented fishing crew Many thanks to our Tahltan Fisheries staff for for the peak of the spawning activities, when your ongoing dedication to the management of we capture and deliver females to the holding the Stikine River salmon resources. We are so pens to improve our chances at maintaining grateful to you all for your valuable knowledge 6 6 and reaching the egg take targets. Under and the time you dedicate to the fieldwork. the new regulations from the Canada Food You endure variable (and often unfavorable) Inspection Agency, we have had to change weather conditions, high water, pesky egg take field culture practices. The new mosquitos and blackflies, grizzly bears, and protocol includes saline rinses of the eggs prior remote camp living. We hold our hands high in 4 4 to and immediately after fertilization. This was praise of you all. Mēduh. done to reduce the occurrence of IHN. We completed ten egg takes between August 31 LOWER STIKINE DEVELOPMENT and September 25 and delivered a total of 4.5 OF COHO SALMON STOCK million fertilized Sockeye eggs to Snettisham ASSESSMENT OPTIONS 2 2 Hatchery. We demobilized camp and flew METERS out all crew on September 29th. From August 23-October 27, 2019, DFO and Tahltan Fisheries conducted a pilot We collected eggs from 1,608 females, feasibility study around developing an *A sonar image of three Coho salmon. fertilized by 1,679 males. Fecundity (# of eggs abundance-based management regime per female) was estimated at 2,800, resulting for Coho salmon returning to the Stikine in the 4.5 million eggs delivered. In addition, watershed, as is done with both Chinook and field staff took and provided 60 ovarian and Sockeye. Currently we have no agreed upon BKD samples and 400 broodstock samples escapement goal for Coho in the Stikine, as per the contract requirements. only a 5000 piece allocation to Canada for a commercial fishery on the lower reaches of

37 FISHERIES DEPARTMENT REPORT

NORTHERN FUND PROJECTS TAHLTAN RIVER RADIO TELEMETRY STUDY The 2018 Tahltan Fisheries proposal submissions resulted in a contract with the Pacific Salmon Funded by the Northern Fund, this was a joint project Commission’s Northern Endowment Fund for the with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Tahltan amount of $18,414 to conduct the Tahltan Lake Fisheries. Our primary objective was assessing fish 263 RADIO TAGS APPLIED TO Sockeye Access Improvement Project during the passage at two known challenges: the Tahltan River 207 SOCKEYE AND 56 Spring of 2019. Slide (that occurred in 2014) and Decheeka Falls. CHINOOK. The project involved tagging adult Sockeye and Chinook Tahltan Lake is of high cultural value to our Nation and salmon with radio signal transmitting tags. Receiver a vital contributor to the overall productivity of Stikine towers picked up the tags and recorded their data, Sockeye salmon. Recent drought conditions and poor telling us how long or difficult passage was at each site. 56% snowpack led to low flows. In response, beavers built TAGGED SOCKEYE PASSED numerous dams on Johnny Tashoots Creek in attempt We applied a total of 263 radio tags to 207 Sockeye THE TAHLTAN SLIDE. to hold back the water. We observed that the beaver and 56 Chinook. Of those tagged, 56% of the Sockeye dams, especially those within the first five kilometers and 46% of the Chinook passed the Tahltan Slide. At below Tahltan Lake, restrict and even block fish Decheeka Falls, 74% of the Sockeye tagged made it passage for both out migrating smolts and returning past this challenge. There was no measurable change 46% adult Sockeye salmon. to Chinook migration behaviour as there is very TAGGED CHINOOK PASSED limited spawning habitat for Chinook above Decheeka THE TAHLTAN SLIDE. The objectives of this important field project include: Falls. Upon initial review, these sites clearly present challenges to returning adult Sockeye and Chinook • To reinitiate formal efforts that facilitate and salmon but we have confirmation of passage with improve Tahltan Lake Sockeye salmon access. visual observation at the Tahltan Slide and our weir 74% • Locate, assess, and breach physical beaver operations on the Little Tahltan River and Tahltan Lake. TAGGED SOCKEY PASSED dam structures. THE DECHEEKA FALLS. • Reduce and control the local beaver population. In 2019, Little Tahltan had 536 large Chinook and 1,002 jacks in comparison to 2018, which saw 453 large We partnered with the TCG Guardians and crew and 413 jacks return. Tahltan Lake saw an increase members John Nole and Clements Brace departed in escapement (the number of fish that reach the Dease Lake on May 13th with Tundra Helicopters. After spawning grounds) from 9,647* in 2018 to 36,621 adult being flown to the middle section (a focus of beaver Sockeye in 2019. This data is still subject to further dam activity), the crew set up their camp. They recorded analysis and more insights are likely to be gained. We existing dams in terms of spatial distribution and level will also use this data to fine tune our approach to of activity and added photo documentation. They improving passage at both sites. located active beaver dams, notched them open and hunted in the early mornings and evenings. On May 16th, DFO is developing a plan to improve passage at the John and Clements hiked to the Tahltan Lake camp and Tahltan Slide this Fall (in 2020). This project is of the crew was de-mobilized to Dease Lake on May 17th. great concern and importance to the TCG Fisheries Department and most importantly to the Tahltan Nation. The crew was successful in the breaching of two dams Special thank you to the Tahltan Fisheries staff who and culled a total of 34 beavers. worked tirelessly on this project: Peter Etherton, Andy Carlick, Gerald Quash and crew leader Kerry Carlick. Tahltan Fisheries wishes to extend our gratitude to the TCG Wildlife Director, Lance Nagwan and Guardian, *The low return number is due to wildfires causing our crews Clements Brace, for their contribution to the project. to be evacuated; we were unable to get a complete and accurate count of returning adult Sockeye salmon through the weir at Tahltan Lake in 2018. We will continue to work collaboratively on this project in the future. Mēduh to Fisheries technician John Nole who has participated in this field project since it began in 2014. He is our resident expert on beaver dams and beaver removal.

38 TAHLTAN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – ANNUAL REPORT 2019/2020

ABORIGINAL FISHERIES STRATEGY (AFS) CATCH MONITORING

$250,000 • Core funding in the amount of $250,000. The 2019 Food, Social, and Ceremonial Fishery (FSC), CORE FUNDING • Amendments allowed us to access additional monitored by Tahltan Fisheries technician Noreen funds in the 2019 fiscal year; the final contribution Mclean, reported 333 large Chinook (King) salmon, 237 amount was $352,000, including PSC-Treaty small or jack Chinook salmon, and 5,401 Sockeye salmon. $352,000 Implementation dollars transferred to AFS. The effort was below average for the fishery, partly due FINAL CONTRIBUTION to a later arrival of the salmon (about two weeks later AFTER AMENDMENTS SALMON IN THE CLASSROOM than normal). A lot of Members left due to concerns around the Barrington forest fire. The 10-year average • We did not take eggs for the school program in the for each species are: ~600 large Chinook, ~200 jack Fall of 2019. Chinook, and ~7300 Sockeye. Thank you to our Tahltan Members/fishers for submitting your catch records. HEALTH & SAFETY – SHORT TERM TRAINING STIKINE STOCK SEPARATION

FIELD STAFF • 1 field staff member received their OFA3 The sampling and collection of biological data was RECIEVED OFA3 re-certification in February of 2020. performed by Raina Feldman and Fabian Vance. RE-CERTIFICATION 1 • 12 field staff received their Bear Awareness They sampled a total of 522 Sockeye and 33 Chinook. and Non-Enforcement Shotgun Certification We conduct this project to collect data on biological in March of 2019. characteristics (age, sex, length DNA, etc.), the contribution of enhanced Tahltan Lake Sockeye and FIELD STAFF • 15 field staff were enrolled in the Safe Work Near 12 the timing of the runs. We also collect tags for both the RECIEVED BEAR AWARNESS Water (SWNW), formerly known as Swiftwater Upper Stikine Commercial and the FSC fishery corridor. & NON-ENFORCEMENT Rescue Technician (SRT1) certification. SHOTGUN CERTIFICATION Many thanks to our Tahltan Members/fishers for » The training session was to be delivered by providing sampling opportunities. Raven Rescue in Terrace on April 7 and 8, 2020. COVID-19 postponed the training. We will follow MEETINGS up once it is safe to proceed. 15 FIELD STAFF ENROLLED IN THE SAFE The Fisheries Managers continue to attend the various WORK NEAR WATER AERIAL SURVEYS fisheries management meetings in-season and during CERTIFICATION the winter months, including: On Sept 11, 2019, Cheri Frocklage and Kerry Carlick • Stikine River Salmon Management Committee conducted the annual aerial survey to assess the (AFS funded) relative abundance of spawning Stikine River Sockeye salmon. Index sites flown included Chutine, Verrett, • Transboundary Technical Committee and Bronson slough, Verrett slough, Scud and Porcupine. Enhancement Sub-Committee (funded by AFS) • Pacific Salmon Commission – Transboundary Overall viewing conditions varied at each index site but Rivers Panel (Cheri-TBR Panel Rep. Kerry-TBR overall, conditions were good. We observed a total of Panel alternate) 493 Sockeye. Scud River had our highest count, with 232 • Pacific Salmon Commission – First Nation Caucus Sockeye. Recent years’ surveys indicate that numbers at (PSC-FNC funding) some of our index sites have shown decline. • Pacific Salmon Commission – First Nation Caucus The Coho aerial survey was funded directly by Executive Committee DFO. Weather and helicopter availability dictated • Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy Agreement a later than normal flight timing. Cheri and Kerry Negotiations (funded by AFS) flew the survey on November 10, 2019 with Tundra Helicopters. Again, viewing conditions varied • G2G Meetings with DFO and TFN post and throughout the index sites but overall were good. pre-season (DFO/AFS funded) Coho index sites flown included Scud, Porcupine, • Monthly conference calls with DFO/TFP Katete and Katete West, Craig, Verrett and Verrett • First Nation Fisheries Council – TBR Representative/ slough. We observed a total of 403 Coho which, Executive Director/Finance Committee overall, is a poor showing. The late timing for the survey likely played a role in the low count. • TCG–Land Use Planning Steering Committee/Land Governance Workshops • BC/Tahltan Fish and Wildlife Working Group

39 FISHERIES DEPARTMENT REPORT

TAHLTAN SLIDE COMMERCIAL AND FOOD FISH HARVESTS – 2019

The planned Tahltan River rockslide remediation works Summarized in the table below. proposed for 2019 were put on hold until the telemetry study could be conducted. Initial results from the 2019 FISHERY CHINOOK SOCKEYE Tahltan River Telemetry Study provided additional data and information to assist the engineers in the design CAN Directed Commercial 0 10,812 of the upcoming and ongoing modifications at the site. Substantial delays were observed, and a proportion of Commercial By-Catch released – tagged Chinook and Sockeye were unable to ascend the rock slide. The current site conditions still present CAN Sport 0 – a significant obstacle to salmon passage. Female Chinook seem to be disproportionately affected. Canadian Totals 333 16,213

133 12,996 Observations included pre-spawn mortalities, injuries US Harvest attributed to salmon during jump attempts, and CAN Directed Commercial 0 10,812 opportunistic spawning: Chinook were observed at Thadu, 6 Mile (Dodjatin) Creek, 4 Mile (Winter) Creek, Commercial By-Catch released – and Shakes Creek. This may be an indication of salmon seeking new spawning locations or prodigy (offspring) CAN Sport 0 – from the spawners unable to access the upper reaches in 2014 (the year the slide came down). It is important Canadian Totals 333 16,213 to note that all these sites historically had Chinook spawning populations. Further investigation of these US Harvest 133 12,996 sites will be developed and conducted in the 2020 field season. Tahltan Fisheries staff will continue to monitor water temperatures, water levels, and jump attempts. “In response to the lost Stikine enhancement • Additional work is proposed on streams left production at Tuya Lake and the importance through drilling/modification or small-scale blasting to improve the approach. This is of restoring and retaining a 50-50 harvest share scheduled for the Fall of 2020. on Stikine Sockeye, Tahltan Fisheries has been • The site visit scheduled by the engineers in studying Anchor Lake as a potential site for August of 2020 will be dependent on the COVD-19 situation and travel restrictions. sockeye enhancement. Anchor Lake is in the Iskut River Watershed, upstream from Bronson Creek.” ANCHOR LAKE SOCKEYE Left: Monitoring ENHANCEMENT FEASIBILITY STUDY the Tahltan Slide.

In response to the lost Stikine enhancement production at Tuya Lake and the importance of restoring and retaining a 50-50 harvest share on Stikine Sockeye, Tahltan Fisheries has been studying Anchor Lake as a potential site for sockeye enhancement. Anchor Lake is in the Iskut River Watershed, upstream from Bronson Creek. We identified the site during our earlier Iskut River Sockeye Enhancement Feasibility Study, conducted in partnership with DFO. Our proposal to the Northern Fund for continued investigation was not approved for the 2019 field season. We sought funding for this activity and received $50,000 from TCG. TFP Hydrologist Patrick Hudson and field technician Lo’oks Ushyeh conducted further studies from October 16-21, 2019.

40 FISHERIES DEPARTMENT REPORT

2019 Stikine Salmon Current 2020 Escapements FIELD PROJECTS

The total 2019 post-season escapement of large COVID-19 delayed our Spring field project startup. 14,283 Chinook was 14,283, this just barely made the lower TCG guidelines restricted all work-related travel in the end of the escapement goal range of 14,000-28,000 earlier part of the field season. With the recent lifting 2019 POST-SEASON and the 10-year average of 19,400. of staff travel restrictions, we are proceeding with ESCAPEMENT OF LARGE CHINOOK planning for the remainder of the season. The Sockeye salmon escapement for 2019 saw a total of 60,225 adults return to spawn. The Sockeye run is An all US staff conducted the Stikine coded wire tagging 60,225 broken down into two components or stocks: Mainstem project, resulting in final tagging counts of 32,337 (River spawners) and Tahltan Lake (Lake spawners). Chinook and 4,341 Coho. The US crew de-mobilized on SOCKEYE SALMON ADULTS The Tahltan stock escapement was counted in at May 30th, 2020. RETURNED TO SPAWN FOR THE 2019 ESCAPEMENT 36,999, which was above the escapement goal range of 18,000-30,000. The mainstem component came in An all US staff are conducting the Stikine Chinook Mark at 23,226, just above the lower end of the goal range Recapture program at Kakwan Point. They have tagged 36,999 20,000-40,000. As there was concern for mainstem not 42 large Chinook and 4 jacks to date. Tagging will coming back as strong as forecasted, fishery managers continue through the month of June. TAHLTAN STOCK reduced or stopped fishing during the mainstem ESCAPEMENT migration period to avoid harvest as best they could. An all DFO staff are currently conducting the Tahltan Lake Smolt Enumeration and have counted 727,143 Currently there is no defined escapement goal for Sockeye smolts out migrating from the lake to date. 23,226 Coho salmon returning to the Stikine. This work has The crew will continue the count until June 12, 2020. MAINSTEM COMPONENT begun and aims to develop programs that can better inform us on the status and health of Coho stocks in Tahltan Fisheries is scheduled to start our fieldwork the Stikine watershed. with staff conducting the Tahltan Lake Adult Count (starting July 6) and the Little Tahltan Chinook Weir (starting June 18). The local positions in Telegraph 2020 Pre-Season Creek, including Food Fish Monitor, Fisheries Guardian, and Food Fish (Stock Separation) Samplers, are Run Forecasts scheduled to start June 22.

Chinook – 13,400 which is well below the pre-season ADMINISTRATIVE TRANSFER TO TCG trigger of 28,100 to allow for directed fisheries. We are pleased to announce that the administration Sockeye – 103,000 (64,000 Tahltan Lake) and (39,000 of Tahltan Fisheries has been formally transferred to Mainstem) for a Total Allowable Catch (TAC) of 49,000: TCG as of April 1, 2020. We are settling into our new harvest shares 47% Canada (23k) 53% USA (26k). roles and surroundings and looking forward to what the future holds. These are certainly exciting times. Coho – Insufficient tools/methods in place to generate a forecast, anticipated to be average.

41 FISHERIES DEPARTMENT REPORT

42 43 TAHLTAN CENTRALGOVERNMENT –ANNUAL REPORT 2019/2020

DEPARTMENT MESSAGE Culture & Heritage Ȗ Ȗ Ȗ Ȗ Heritage’s primarymandates areto: The DepartmentofCulture&

Guide theongoingintegration Develop programming to Make theinformation accessible Capture all worldly information and our initiatives . practices into the work of TCG andof Tahltan culture, values people; and cultural practices as Tahltan revitalize our traditional and promote identity revitalization; to all Tahltan membersand logical fashion; on the Tahltan andarchive itina Director Culture &Heritage Sandra Marion CULTURE & HERITAGE DEPARTMENT REPORT

Left: Emma Brown, Here are updates on Telegraph Creek, 1905. some of our major projects during the 2019/2020 fiscal year.

TAHLTAN ARCHIVE PROJECT

We are holding off on giving this project a proper name until we have all the required players at the table. In the meantime, we drafted a Terms of Reference, a workplan and a budget, and had all three approved by the Tahltan Central Government Board of Directors. We are now collating the material found by past and present researchers. Next, we need to organize the physical documents in our holdings at the Dease Lake government agency building. Our holdings were moved last Fall, to secure them and relocate them from the Sea-Can and basement at the TCG office. Unfortunately, because of the COVID-19 travel ban to the Territory, we have not yet been able to conduct an initial inventory. Left: Shannon mining Our department, along with TCG Executives, held a for Tahltan specific historical photos from a series of conversations with the Law Firm Mandell donated collection. Pinder regarding the strength of our claims around our Territory boundaries; this is one reason why organizing and adding to the research completed to date is so important. We will look into adding a couple of new positions down the road, one being a professional Historian and the other a possible in-Territory Archivist.

We have had several conversations with a representative from the Canadian Heritage Branch and hope to start collaborating. They have funding available for storage supplies to preserve our historical documents properly. We built rapport with them and look forward to working together. We hope to build our own archive and repository building in the future, with possible funding assistance from their branch. Left: Roxanne pulling vital statistics prior to 1945 via microfilm. We need to continue to transcribe the content from several audio tape collections including but not limited to Georgianna Ball’s recordings, Tony Shaw’s recordings, and any audio tapes that Tahltan families have in their possession and would like to donate/lend to this project.

Left: Joe Coburn, Telegraph Creek, early 1900s.

44 CULTURE & HERITAGE DEPARTMENT REPORT

PARTNERING WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (UBC)

Regarding a possible partnership with UBC, the pandemic slowed our progression to a crawl. Students are not attending university currently. We are working with the UBC representatives to complete as much of the paperwork as possible and to move forward on a Memorandum of Understanding outlining our partnership. It is critical that the majority of this work will be conducted by Tahltans for Tahltans but we will require some assistance on the technical side.

CULTURAL COMPETENCY GUIDEBOOK AND THE TAHLTAN CULTURAL PROTOCOL MANUAL

We are further developing the content in the Cultural Competency Guidebook and the Tahltan Cultural Protocol manual. We have content from several sources and we will work towards finalizing the documents. After that, we will take them to the correct avenues for proofreading and editing. We must wait until we are able to gather in-person again for this work to be completed. We are conducting this project in partnership with the Socio-Cultural Working Group.

TAHLTAN SONGS

Tahltan songs will soon be accessible through the Members-Only section of the TCG website (tahltan.org/members-section). We are looking at the possibility of Tahltans to be able to stream our songs and download them on our website. The songs include those collected by James Teit when he recorded our ancestors in the early 1900s. We gathered photos of the individuals identified on the audio and we have a list of other singers. We will continue to add photos to the webpage as they become available. Please feel free to send in any photos or information you or your family may have on the singers. The more information we have, the more our people can understand our ancestors.

We came across some interesting material when conducting our research: we found more Tahltan songs on the website of the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Their archives feature recordings of our lovely, late Eva Carlick. The songs are listed as Tahltan/Tlingit.

Left: Tahltan Country Music Jam, August 2019.

45 Next Steps

The Culture & Heritage Department One of the challenges we face, with awakening continues to work on ways we can and nurturing our cultural practices among out-of-Territory members, is first creating local, reach out to our members regarding in-community groups depending on the scope of culture, whether that is through people we would like to reach. sewing projects, drum making, or One idea we hope to roll out is hiring a Cultural singing the songs available to us . Champion to manage a team of community liaisons. One of the things we would like The group would come together as a team to sharpen their ‘curriculum’ if you will. Then they would return to to do is involve some of our fluent their respective communities and host workshops and and silent speakers to transcribe projects. The liaisons would guide the development of our Tahltan songs and write out the Tahltan cultural skills in out-of-Territory communities. Two things that are important to this idea are that: lyrics for our members . 1 . We would like the team to collaborate with and include our in-Territory dancing/singing and sewing groups, so we do not create further silos. We encourage our people to come together in unity.

2 . We would like our team to build their ‘curriculum’ while being home on the land and to work with our Elders to bring it all together.

46 TAHLTAN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – ANNUAL REPORT 2019/2020

DEPARTMENT MESSAGE Education & Training As we gain experience running the Education & Training Department, we are only getting better. With just two years under our belt we have accomplished the following:

Freda Campbell Post-Secondary/Trades/Short Education & Training Term Certifications Funding Director

When a student applies for funding with the Tahltan Central Government, we require that they also apply for funding with their Band and with their Indigenous Skills & Employment Training Program (ISET). If they find funding with either of these organizations then we will fund their required educational costs over and above the funding found. The difference between the number of Tahltan students who applied and the number of Tahltan students funded is partially due to students finding education funding with a different organization. We will also cost share with other organizations. ISET’s and Bands have limits and rules; if a student’s required costs are not covered by another organization, we can cover them.

In the 2019/2020 academic year, the federal Above: Freda with Herbert Henyu government changed their regulations, allowing for at Red Chris Mine. student funding that was previously unavailable.

Between the Iskut Band, the Tahltan Band and the Tahltan Central Government, all students in eligible programs were approved for funding. No qualified Tahltan student was denied funding.

47 EDUCATION & TRAINING DEPARTMENT REPORT

2018/2019 Academic Year

Applicants # Funded

Tahltan Band Students 37 31

Iskut Band Students 11 10 Education Other Band 1 0 Non-Status Students 9 8

Total 58 49

& Training Inside Territory In Province In Canada Total 11 28 10 49

Post-Secondary Trades Short Term Certification Total

23 7 19 49

$88,666 .58 $13,934 .69 $14,753 .37 $117,354 .64

2019/2020 Academic Year*

Applicants # Funded

Tahltan Band Students 36 20

Iskut Band Students 3 1

Other Band 5 3

Non-Status Students 10 9

Total 54 33

Inside Territory In Province In Canada Total

1 20 12 33

Post-Secondary Trades Short Term Certification Total

22 5 6 33

$114,993 .69 $6,130 .25 $6,130 .25 $6,130 .25

*Please note that the 2019/2020 academic year ends on August 31, 2020; these numbers will increase.

48 TAHLTAN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – ANNUAL REPORT 2019/2020

IN 2020, THE TCG EDUCATION & TRAINING DEPARTMENT DOUBLED ITS FUNDING LIMITS.

Tahltan students are 2019 Aboriginal Canadian Entrepreneur Program 2019 Wildfire Training Courses now eligible for the following: Participants Grads Applicants Participants Grads

• Post-Secondary/ 18 14 37 33 13 Trades: $10,000.00 per academic year Budget $ Certificates Success Rate • Short Term $498,750 .00 197 94% Certifications: Rural Dividend Fund $5,000.00 per TRICORP $23,701 .70 Budget $ academic year

TCG $21,840 .00 TRICORP $70,921 .22

TCG/NLC In Kind $6,705 .00 TCG $6,720 .00

Total $550,996.70 TCG/NLC In Kind $3,525 .00

2019 Dease Lake Bootcamp Total $81,166.22

Applicants Participants Grads 2020 Wildfire Training Courses

74 49 20 Cancelled due to COVID-19 but our agreement with TRICORP still stands: Certificates Participation Rate Success Rate

293 97% 95% Budget $

Budget $ TRICORP $17,500 .00

TRICORP $78,662 .27 TCG $7,046 .60

TCG $155,293 .25 TCG/NLC In Kind $1,325 .00

TCG/NLC In Kind $13,525 .00 Total $24,871.60

Total $247,480.52 We continue to provide more training for the 2020 Dease Lake Bootcamp employment opportunities available in Tahltan Territory. We expect to soon offer Workplace Essential Applicants Participants Grads Skill Trades Training (WESTT) in Territory. We aim to provide Driller’s Helper Training and Foundations 85 56 11 Trades Training in Territory as well. We are also excited to announce that the TCG and the Northern Lights Certificates Participation Rate Success Rate College (NLC) will participate in a pilot project bringing Contact North to Tahltan Territory. Contact North 273 87% 91% coordinates distance learning to remote communities Budget $ and they will be coming to NLC in January 2021.

TRICORP $78,622 .27 All training that the TCG Education & Training Department brings to the Territory is free for Tahltan TCG $147,798 .25 members who qualify for funding. For Tahltan members traveling to Dease Lake for training, we TCG/NLC In Kind $13,525 .00 provide accommodation and a daily purchase order (PO) for food, fuel, and incidentals. Little by little, we Total $223,955.52 are breaking down the barriers to education and training for Tahltan members.

49 EDUCATION & TRAINING DEPARTMENT REPORT

Bursaries OnTrack – Tahltan Skills Inventory

2018/2019 Bursaries OnTrack, the Tahltan Skills Inventory, soft launched in the Spring of 2020. Red Chris Development $30,000 .00 OnTrack is an exciting new tool to help Tahltans Company Ltd. See “Unveiling Tahltan prepare and apply for employment opportunities OnTrack” on Page 53 for Galore Creek Mining in Tahltan Territory. Many Tahltans are unaware of $15,000 .00 more information . Corporation (GCMC) the opportunities available to them in Territory and many are unaware that they already can perform the Tahltan Guide & Outfitters tasks required for these occupations. OnTrack helps $9,000 .00 Association members understand the variety of opportunities available to them and how they might fit with open Coast Mountain Hydro $26,000 .00 roles. We are very excited about OnTrack and we Northwest Projects (AltaGas) cannot wait to see members take advantage of the opportunities leadership negotiated for them on their Total awarded to $80,000.00 behalf. Keep your eyes peeled for this amazing new Tahltan students and innovative tool.

2019/2020 Bursaries Budget

Newcrest Mining Ltd. $30,000 .00 Sector Labour Market $211,260 .49 Partnership agreement Galore Creek Mining $15,000 .00 Corporation (GCMC) TCG $120,000 .00

Tahltan Guide & Outfitters Total $331,260.49 $9,000 .00 Association

Coast Mountain Hydro $26,000 .00 Northwest Projects (AltaGas)

Total awarded to $80,000.00 Tahltan students

In summary, we are very proud and excited to be investing more and more in Tahtan members and their futures.

The Tahltan Nation continues to lead the way on breaking down the barriers to education and training. The TCG continues to provide more resources for education and training and continues to develop the tools Members need to understand and access the opportunities leadership creates for us. We look forward to getting better at what we do and to watching the investments we make in our Nation pay off in the future. I am ever so grateful to be able to serve my Nation in this capacity. Mēduh.

Left: Freda attending a work meeting at the start of a shift in the mill at Red Chris Mine.

50 Left: Chico Bob, Tahltan millwright, takes Kody on a walkthrough of the mill at Red Chris Mine

DEPARTMENT MESSAGE Employment

Kody Penner Employment Director

These unprecedented times have been hard on many families, especially those living in remote areas. The health and safety of our Nation is of the utmost importance and it has been a pleasure seeing Tahltans come together to preserve life and assure everyone is safe.

As a Nation, we are in a fortunate position to continue working in the Territory and securing our economic futures while many others cannot. In the past, the Tahltan Central Government worked diligently to secure agreements so Tahltans stay employed, even in the worst of times. We continue to work closely with the companies in Territory. They have enacted policies and controls to keep our local communities safe and our members employed.

Employment within the Nation is always evolving. New skill sets are constantly needed. As more Tahltans begin to realize the opportunities available to them in the Territory, we need more support and resources to help us grow in a sustainable manner. For these reasons and more, earlier this year TCG decided to split up the Employment & Contracting Department into two separate units: the Business & Contracting Department and the Employment Department. The move gives TCG greater capacity to support our members.

51 EMPLOYMENT DEPARTMENT REPORT

Employment

Employment within the Nation is always evolving. Instantly connecting Tahltans with Right: Kody interviewing Tiffany Tashoots, an New skill sets are constantly needed. As more employers, jobs and information equipment operator at Tahltans begin to realize the opportunities Red Chris Mine, for the available to them in the Territory, we need is one of the Employment OnTrack project. more support and resources to help us grow in Department’s main goals. a sustainable manner. For these reasons and more, earlier this year TCG decided to split up OnTrack, a new website and capacity building the Employment & Contracting Department into tool created by Freda Campbell, is the system two separate units: the Business & Contracting to accomplish this. OnTrack gives members the See “Unveiling Tahltan Department and the Employment Department. chance to easily share their skills and information OnTrack” on Page 53 for The move gives TCG greater capacity to support with possible employers. It also allows members to more information . our members. showcase knowledge and skills often not recognized by traditional employment applications. OnTrack is a After entering the role of Director of Employment huge step forward. It will make it easier than ever for in February 2020, I began the exciting work of you to find your perfect career. helping our Nation grow. My vision is to help more Tahltans develop and achieve their career goals. We are working to give Tahltans the resources Education and training is the first piece of this they need to pursue any career they want. Whether journey. It is a key step to building capacity within someone wants to work in an office or in the field, we our Nation. I want to provide the support and will do our best to get them employed in whichever information members need to figure out what they career path appeals to them. Through preferential want to do and how to get there. Once members hiring, education dollars, mentorship programs and are on a career path, we look to help them along so much more, Tahltans have never had so many their way by implementing IBAs and company opportunities to pursue their passion. We coordinate programs to assure Tahltans progress in the directly with companies working in our Territory to workplace. We need to assure Tahltans that they identify employment and training opportunities for our can climb the career ladder with support. Having members. A current highlight is a mentorship program members enter leadership positions will help our where three Tahltan engineering students work with Nation co-manage operations in Tahltan Territory experienced professionals to build and expand their and guide sustainable development. While the skillsets over a four-month-long training program this pandemic changed some of our initial plans, such summer. This on-the-job training helps bridge the as the Dease Lake Job Fair, we are finding new gap between academia and the real world, preparing and improved ways to reach members. We Tahltan students for high-level careers and leadership continue to work on our employment systems to roles in our Territory. make job prospecting, hiring and training much more streamlined. It is an honour to help the Nation grow and I look forward to working with members on their career journeys.

52 TAHLTAN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – ANNUAL REPORT 2019/2020

Unveiling Tahltan OnTrack

The Tahltan Central Government is working hard to connect Tahltans–no matter where you live, your education, or your job experience–with the vast array of job opportunities in Tahltan Territory!

53 UNVEILING TAHLTAN ONTRACK

ABOUT TAHLTAN ONTRACK Discover your perfect career Find a career, not just another job. Join the Tahltan OnTrack website and discover Tahltan exclusive jobs – tailored to fit your life.

Chantel began as an entry level assistant working with Galore Creek as a summer student and is now the Tahltan Project Environmental Coordinator and senior technician at the Red Chris Mine . View this and other success stories at ontrack.tahltan.org

HARDWIRED FOR SUCCESS

Tahltans have always known that we have a unique skill set and problem-solving is in our blood. Tahltans who work in resource development know that these skills are transferable to the workplace. The resource development industry needs workers with a vested Ready to test interest in their projects. OnTrack showcases our skills and connects Tahltan job-seekers with opportunities. your skills? IN CONTROL OF YOUR FUTURE Visit Tahltan OnTrack to learn more By creating your own profile in the OnTrack database, Tahltans are able to create a resume and connect with and match your skill set with current Tahltan-exclusive employment opportunities. After employment opportunities. completing an essential skills assessment, you will automatically be notified of new jobs that match your career interests and essential skills.

GET ON TRACK ontrack.tahltan.org Learn about the jobs you qualify for, regardless of formal education. Tahltan Members can earn certification and qualifications for their skills, identify opportunities for education and training, and follow career building paths.

54 TAHLTAN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – ANNUAL REPORT 2019/2020

DEPARTMENT MESSAGE Contracting & Business Development This year I was the Employment and Contracting Director for TCG until February of 2020. At that time, TCG split the department into two: one strictly for Employment and another for Contracting & Business Development.

Kody Penner was hired as the Employment Director and I took on the role of Contracting & Business Red Chris Mine (RCDC) Adrian Carlick Development Director. Contracting & Business There have been many changes over the last nine Director months with Red Chris Mine, some in the workforce I now focus on managing the commitments in the IBAs and some in the ways that Newcrest operates the and, in conjunction with those major items, the various mine. The changes are all positive so far, but they contracting opportunities through Mineral Exploration. create a more intensive working and learning process. I also work on data collection for various industries Ultimately, such high demands should have been there (Mining, Forestry, Agriculture, Highway Contracts, in the first place (when Imperial Metals was in charge) Utilities, Tech, Health and Wellness); this is important but the process is finally coming together. We work information that we have not collected yet. In order with some new people daily including: to know what opportunities are available, we need to • Mark Adams, Mine General Manager know what the industries are doing. (Mine Manager) • Dr. Michele Fulcher, Group Manager Anthropology “In order to know what opportunities & Social Assessment (Social Issues) are available, we need to know what • Nicholas Hill, Commercial Manager (Contracts the industries are doing. ” and Business-Related Issues) • Ben Wither, HSEC (Health and Safety, as well as some HR) • Daisy Bolton, Human Resources Supervisor • Shannon Quock, Tahltan Community Liaison • Lorraine Callbreath, Tahltan Community Liaison

These people are our primary contacts. Together, we established working relationships to ensure the IBA is properly managed. Imperial Metals had one person doing the work now spread over four of the positions above.

55 CONTRACTING & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT REPORT Contracting & Business Development (RCDC)-EMPLOYMENT

Red Chris Mine has approximately 205 people working at site (as of October 2019, the latest statistics). This includes TNDC and Sodexho as well as 119 Tahltans working directly for RCDC. Here is an excerpt of the report submitted to me by the Red Chris Mine HR Department:

SUMMARY BY DEPARTMENT – AS OF 02-OCT-19

Overall Staff Positions Production Positions

#Emp #Tahltan % #Emp #Tahltan % #Emp #Tahltan %

Management 32 0 0% 32 0 0% 0 0 0%

Administration 36 9 25% 36 9 25% 0 0 0%

Environmental 6 4 67% 6 4 67% 0 0 0%

Mill Maintenance 82 20 24% 16 2 13% 66 18 27%

Mill Operations 67 26 39% 30 3 10% 37 23 62%

Mine Operations 162 43 27% 26 2 8% 136 41 30%

Mobile Maintenance 76 17 22% 8 0 0% 68 17 25%

Totals 461 119 25.8% 154 20 13.0% 307 99 32.2%

Change from September 15 2019 to October 2 2019 Several people were promoted in the Environmental Department and the Mine Operations (Pit) Department. However, as you can see from #EE #Tahltan the report, there are no management positions occupied by Tahltan members. We are addressing this issue with Red Chris. Newcrest only took over operations in September of 2019. They are working diligently Red Chris 456 119 Previous Month to implement systems that track data on their departments. With that data, they can be more transparent and better identify Tahltans Difference 5 0 ready to move up in their respective departments. A new system now tracks applicants for positions, how many times they apply, and their 1 .1% 0 .0% % of Difference progression within Newcrest.

56 TAHLTAN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – ANNUAL REPORT 2019/2020

Tahltan Community Liaisons Social Performance

The Tahltan Community Liaisons (formerly Tahltan HR’s) at site are Dr. Michele Fulcher, Group Manager of Anthropology and Social Lorraine Callbreath and Shannon Quock. Shannon was recently Assessment, is responsible for the mine’s Social Performance, which hired as the second Tahltan Community Liaison. The Liaisons build encapsulates many areas around socio-economic and social issues. relationships between Newcrest Managers and Tahltan employees as She establishes relationships with leadership and tracks the impacts well as between the mine and our communities. They are involved in around sensitive archeological sites as the mine grows and impacts community events and available on site when leadership visits. more areas. She is also leading a study related to establishing a social baseline. Commencing in a few months, the study collects baseline data around our communities’ health, economics, jobs, education, businesses, etc. To conduct the study Michele will work closely with many departments in TCG along with representatives from the two bands and the First Nations Health Authority. The study will also create short term work and contracts for Tahltan people who want to be involved.

Contracting

RED CHRIS MINE

We work closely with Newcrest, in particular with the Commercial 5 . Exploratory Drilling and Drilling for Geological Purposes. Manager, Nicholas Hill, to establish the contracting process. Nick is This contract is currently out to a bidder and being compiled in more effective in many ways; he will lead to the contracting process 2019-2020. Later in 2020, it will be considered a Direct Award better following our IBCA. Several contracts are under review for and we will work to see if any Tahltan companies can provide Tahltan involvement. The IBCA states that any contract with more the services. This is a big drilling program. The safety measures than $100K in revenue at the mine site will be reviewed for Tahltan required are above industry standards in Canada. involvement and communication by the Project Advisory Committee (PAC) on an annual basis. Here are some items we discussed: 6 . Bussing Services. TNDC recently partnered with Northern Bus Services to establish this contract. They now perform the 1 . Tailings Impoundment Area (the dam). TNDC has had this service on site. This contract was originally held by a non-Tahltan contract over the years but the mine now shares more information affiliated company, but it is now a TNDC contract. During the and planning. During Roundup and other meetings this year, transition of CEOs, I supported this contract by managing the TNDC and TCG discussed this particular contract with Newcrest relationship and transition of the potential partner for TNDC. as the contract employs many Tahltans: up to 50-70 people per year. We look to establish the contract on a long-term basis. 7 . De-Icing Services, Dease Lake Airport. This is a new contract. Newcrest provided a Scope of Work, which did not happen before. TNDC is performing these services with a partner. Their plan provides significant detail and they meet regularly with the TNDC CEO. This contract can be worth more than seven 8 . Air Transport. TNDC is working on a partnership for this contract. million per year. It is classified as Direct Award in the IBCA. 9 . Underground Contract. This contract will be a Direct Award. 2 . Road Maintenance. TNDC contract, yearly. The timeline for this is 5+ years from this year. Newcrest intends to develop Red Chris into an underground mine. They are currently 3 . Camp Catering. Sodexho Joint Venture (JV) with TNDC called conducting geotechnical drilling and studies to determine when and “SRS”. This contract will be reviewed later in 2020; it is following how that will take place. In the meantime, they share information the process. with TCG for our relevant departments to start planning around employment and careers in underground mining, as well as for 4 . Laundry Provision Services. The mine provided a Scope of Work contracting opportunities. At the time being, a lot of this information for future consideration. Laundry provision is taking coveralls is at a high level, but I will report to the Tahltan people and share off site and cleaning them daily. This would be an infrastructure more detailed information soon. upgrade and equipment purchasing by the potential supplier.

57 CONTRACTING & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT REPORT

BRUCEJACK MINE

Our IBCA with Pretivm for their Brucejack Mine is much smaller as the project’s impact area sits on the border with the Nisga’a. We currently have 36 people working at Brucejack, mainly in the underground and milling operations. They are on contract with a Tahltan business, with Procon/TNDC performing the work underground.

There are currently 36 Tahltan members working at the Brucejack mine, 22 with our Underground Mine contractor Procon and 14 directly for Pretivm.

All employees are working for Procon and 10 Pretivm are permanent positions, 2 Pretivm employees are Temporary. See the breakdown of Pretivm positions below: Above: Danielle Natalie Nole, Heavy Equipment PRETIVM TAHLTAN EMPLOYEES – FEBRUARY 2020 Operator at Brucejack Mine.

# Of Employees Job Title Department Employment Type

1 Journeyman Welder Fabricator Mill Maintenance Permanent

1 Mill Operator – Flotation Mill Operations Permanent

1 Mill Operator 2 – Refinery Mill Operations Permanent

2 Mill Operator 3 Mill Operations Permanent

1 Heavy Equipment Operator 2 Surface Operations Permanent

1 Heavy Duty Mechanic Surface Maintenance Permanent

1 Lead Mechanic Surface Maintenance Permanent

1 Mine Surveyor Technical Services Permanent

1 General Kitchen Helper Catering Permanent

2 Surface Labourer Surface Operations Temporary

2 Geological Assistant Geology Permanent

14

COUER SILVERTIP

Couer Silvertip is currently undergoing a ‘Care and Maintenance’ operation (they paused usual mine operations). That said, RTEC (the Environmental Company JV with TNDC) has a substantial contract on the permitting process while the mine is in care and maintenance.

58 TAHLTAN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – ANNUAL REPORT 2019/2020

Mineral Exploration

We are pursuing “Opportunities Agreements” with projects based in our Territory. These Agreements will establish a much more formalized process around Employment and Contracting with the companies working in our Territory. Though approximately 80-90 Tahltans and ten Tahltan businesses work in this sector, no formalized processes ensure that these companies work towards Tahltan involvement in their projects. They mainly informally work with TCG.

We are seeking Opportunities Agreements with: 1 . Skeena Resources Ltd. 10 . SnipGold Corp. (Seabridge) 2 . Giga Metals Corp. 11 . Crystal Lake Mining Corp. 3 . Garibaldi Resources Corp. 12 . Golden Ridge Resources Ltd. 4 . Kutcho Copper 13 . Coeur Silvertip Holdings Ltd. 5 . Aben Resources Ltd. 14 . Tudor Gold (Forrest Kerr) 15 . Libero Copper Corporation 6 . Etruscus Resources 16 . Colorado Resources Ltd. 7 . Metallis Resources Inc. 17 . Hawkeye Gold & Diamonds Inc. 8 . Schaft Creek Joint Venture 18 . Brixton Metals 9 . NorthPac Forestry 19 . GCMC

The Opportunities Agreements formalize processes in contracts and employment with Mineral Exploration Companies by:

• Outlining how companies • Measuring how many Tahltan communicate contracting Members and businesses are opportunities in all services. involved in the overall project.

• Outlining how job openings • Discussing surplus equipment are circulated or working with and, if companies are looking the Employment Director to to offload equipment, giving identify potential Tahltan opportunity to Tahltan members seeking work. businesses and Members to acquire such equipment and • Listing contracts available supplies. and sharing them with the Above: Site visit to Red Chris Mine. Contracting Director.

Previously companies had no formal process for communicating these opportunities, nor were companies operating in our Territory required to do so.

Simply put, this process is to ensure Tahltan businesses are aware of opportunities and can compete for them. We want to provide avenues fostering growth in our businesses’ number, capacity, and revenue.

59 CONTRACTING & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT REPORT

STATISTICS ON MINERAL EXPLORATION IN 2019

In the 2019 Season for Mineral Exploration, we saw a significant rise in employment numbers, Tahltan contractors and contract spend on Tahltan Businesses (among the companies that reported to us). # of Tahltan Tahltan Tahltan employment increased by 37%. Contract spend for Tahltan Project # of Tahltans Contractors Contract Spend businesses grew by 77%. The number of Tahltan businesses obtaining Totals 2018 93 10 $9,298, 480 16. contracts rose by 80% over one year. By contrast, the Northwest Region experienced a 10% increase over the previous year in exploration Totals 2019 128 18 $16,455,121 11. investment by mineral exploration companies, at $180 million for 2019.

Mineral Exploration Tahltan Worker Numbers Tahltan Business Contractors in Mineral Exploration

 

      

  

        Figure 1. The Number of Tahltan People, from companies that participated Figure 2. The number of Tahltan Businesses obtaining contracts, from in the survey from 2018 to 2019, rose by 30%. companies that participated in the survey, rose by 30% from 2018 to 2019, from 10 to 18 Tahltan Contractors.

Tahltan Business Revenue in Mineral Exploration As you can see, the 2019 totals from the participating

$,,. companies surpassed the 2018 totals, in both Tahltans hired and contract spend. All the major $,,. $,,. exploration companies participated in the survey.

Tahltan companies were involved in these contracting opportunities: $,,. • Camp Management and Catering $,,. • Heavy Equipment provision and operation $,,. • Road Building and Maintenance • Drilling Services $. • Labour Provision Services   • Environmental Services Figure 3. The revenue of Tahltan Businesses in Mineral Exploration, rose by 56% from 2018 to 2019, from $9,298480.16 to $16,455,121.11. • Engineering Services • Aviation Services • Core Box Provision

60 CONTRACTING & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT REPORT

Red Chris Mine Contract Spend: Tahltan Entities

Here is the contract spend at Red Chris Mine for Tahltan Businesses in 2019, ending January 2020, and a projection for spend in 2020.

Service CY19 C$ CY20 C$

Ore Haul $6,901,202 $8,000,000

Camp Infrastructure $114,169 $500,000

Camp Services $8,045,448 $9,000,000

Bus Services $150,000 (approx.) $500,000

Road Maintenance + TIA $19,219,232 $25,000,000

Totals $34,430,051 $43,000,000

Revenue of Tahltan Contracts at Red Chris Mine 2018-2020

$ ,,.

$,,.

$,,.

2018 $,,.

2019

2020 $.

Ore Haul Camp Infrastructure Camp Catering TIA + Road Maintenance Bus Services

Revenue Tahltan Contracts at Red Chris Mine 2016-2020

$,,

Major Construction Winding down $,,

$,,

$,,

$

     (Projected)

Figure 3 in 2016 Contract Numbers were higher due to building of camp infrastructure such as Bunks/Trailers for workers/contractors and number of people on site were higher, due to more contractors. Road Construction was also being completed.

61 MAJOR CONTRACTS IN RED CHRIS MINE 2016-2020

Contract Category 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Ore Haul $6,643,309 .75 $5,570,740 .89 $6,854,677 .86 $6,901,202 .00 $8,000,000 .00

Camp Infrastructure $528,753 .73 $102,132 .51 $209,129 .72 $114,169 .00 $500,000 .00

Camp Services $7,416,784 .66 $6,753,856 .81 $7,519,973 .32 $8,045,448 .00 $9,000,000 .00

Road Maintenance + TIA $13,705,029 .90 $8,607,205 .44 $7,867,433 .69 $19,219,232 .00 $25,000,000 00.

Bus Services $0 .00 $0 .00 $0 .00 $150,000 .00 $500,000 .00

Totals $28,293,878.04 $21,033,935.65 $22,451,214.59 $34,430,051.00 $43,000,000.00

Increase in Percentage Construction Year -25% 6% 53% 25% Previous Year

Increase in Percentage No Data No Data -21% 63% 91% 2 Years Prior

Brucejack There are no Tahltan contracts with the Brucejack Mine other than the Procon/Tahltan JV (the Underground Contract). Brucejack Mine elects to perform their own road maintenance and other contracts.

62 TAHLTAN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – ANNUAL REPORT 2019/2020

Projects in 2020 for the Contracting Department

Tahltan Business Registry. We will be designing policy around Tahltan Businesses and what qualifies as a Tahltan Business. Our design is based on feedback from Tahltan businesses, TNDC, and TCG Government employees. We are also reviewing historical documents from the previous Tahltan Business Council, created by Tahltan businesses. We created a draft document but will not adopt it until its review is complete.

• We currently have 60+ Tahltan companies, including Tahltan partnerships, providing information. We will follow up in 2020 to verify current companies and to add new companies who want to be registered. Registered companies provide services in many sectors: Art, Highway Contract Services, Mining and Mineral Exploration, Health and Wellness, Food and Camp Catering Services, Consulting, Forestry and Logging, Design and Graphics, Aviation, Engineering, Law Services, Lawn, Fencing and Yard Services, Waste Management, Tailings Pump and Engineering Services, etc.

Tahltan Business Database. To ensure that proponents always have the most up-to-date information available on Tahltan businesses, we aim to develop a Tahltan Business Database. The database will allow participating businesses to ensure their information and listed services are current and accurate. It will allow companies to search the database for Tahltan service providers to fulfill potential contracts and to list contracts available for bid. The database can also be used by the Bands, highway contractors, health services, tech, art galleries and people or companies looking to purchase art, etc. Our goal is to create a platform that works for all sectors and not limited to Mining and Mineral Exploration. We want a database that supports all Tahltan businesses in their search for opportunities and for purchasers of their goods and services.

Industry Data Collection. We are collecting data on all the industries working in our Territory to provide to Tahltan businesses.

Resources for Tahltan Businesses. We are gathering and collating resources for businesses to learn of the funding sources available to them as Indigenous businesses. We are focusing on British Columbia for the first year and then will potentially expand to include Alberta and Yukon. Some categories will be: • How to start a business • How to register a business in BC, Yukon and Alberta • How to structure businesses • How to write a business plan and who can possibly assist in that, etc. • Free legal resources available for Indigenous businesses • How to structure contracts, bookkeeping services, and develop templates for invoicing, payment collection, service and goods contracts, etc.

Marketing Campaign to encourage businesses to contact TCG and register as a business.

Tahltan Business Symposium. Once COVID-19 has subsided, we will host a symposium to educate Tahltan businesses on the IBAs and the contracting processes in Mining and on the Opportunities Agreements with mineral exploration companies and what the Agreements mean for Tahltan Businesses. We will bring in successful Tahltan entrepreneurs to share their experiences and invite non-Tahltan entrepreneurs as well. I am looking for ideas from Tahltan Businesses on how they think this event can be successful. Please share your thoughts regarding when, where and how to meet (e.g. possible dates, online platform or in person?), what sectors you would like to hear from, and any ideas for themes.

63 CONTRACTING & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT REPORT

64 TAHLTAN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – ANNUAL REPORT 2019/2020

OWNERSHIP, ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE, SAFE INVESTMENT Tahltan Nation is the proud owner of 5% of the Northwest Hydroelectric Facilities (Forrest Kerr, McLymont Creek and Volcano Creek) What does this deal mean for the Tahltan Nation?

Tahltan Nation, via the Tahltan Heritage Trust

are the of an asset owners of: 5% valued at more than:

$2.5 billion Utilities are regarded as some of the safest investments THE NORTHWEST HYDROELECTRIC FACILITIES in the world. The Northwest Hydroelectric Facilities (Forrest Kerr, McLymont Creek and Volcano Creek) are an award-winning project backed by a 57-year long inflation-protected Electricity Purchase Agreement This is in addition to the 2.7% the Tahltan Nation already (EPA) which guarantees BC Hydro purchases electricity owns in the Volcano Creek facility. from these Facilities. This project has been profitable from day one and generates 300 megawatts, enough to Dividends will begin immediately, will increase every year, power 225,000 homes. and will be used to invest in our three communities and in other Tahltan Nation initiatives for all Tahltan people. Axium and Manulife are heavyweights in their respective The financing will be fully paid at year 57. industries who have completed their due diligence and are convinced this is an excellent investment with For more information, please visit the Members Only secure returns. section on the Tahltan Central Government website: tahltan.org/members-section

How did this happen?

Tahltan Central Council held AltaGas consultations with 2010 members of the Tahltan Nation who expressed their desire for an ownership stake in this project.

The Tahltan Nation voted 71% in favour of ratifying the McLymont Creek and Volcano Creek Impact Benefits Agreement 2011

The Tahltan Heritage Trust delivered when the Tahltan Nation became equity owners in Volcano Creek in late 2014 when it bought a 2.7% interest for $2 million ($1.5 million was provided 2014 by the Tahltan Heritage Trust and $500,000 was provided by the BC Clean Energy Fund). This made the Tahltan Nation a limited partner in the Volcano Creek Facility.

65 NORTHWEST HYDROELECTRIC FACILITIES PURCHASE

AltaGas sold 35% of its interest in the Facilities to Axium Infrastructure Canada and Manulife Financial for $922 million. As part of the Tahltan Nation consent to this transaction, AltaGas agreed that it could not sell its controlling interest JUNE 2018 in the newly formed Northwest Hydro Limited Partnership without the Tahltan Nation’s consent.

AltaGas transferred a 10% interest in the Facilities to a newly OCTOBER 2018 formed subsidiary, AltaGas Canadian Energy Holdings Limited Partnership, a wholly-owned subsidiary of AltaGas Canada Inc.

AltaGas advised the Tahltan Nation that it wished to sell its remaining 55% interest to Axium/Manulife which would require the consent of the Tahltan Nation, and negotiations NOVEMBER 2018 between the parties ensued.

The Tahltan Nation reached an agreement with AltaGas on their proposed sale to Axium/Manulife. One of the many things DECEMBER 2018 agreed upon was that the Tahltan Nation would be entitled to purchase up to 5% interest in the Facilities.

AltaGas announced the sale of its remaining 55% interest to Axium Infrastructure Canada and Manulife JANUARY 2019 Financial Corporation for $1.39 billion.

After extensive consultations with shareholders, the Tahltan Nation, via the Tahltan Heritage Trust, agreed to purchase a 5% interest for $124.3 million in the Facilities making it the biggest clean energy investment by a First Nation in British Columbia JULY 2019 history and one of the biggest clean energy investments by a First Nation in Canadian history. The Tahltan Heritage Trust will now contribute $29.5 million towards the purchase price and Manulife/ Axium has given access to their low interest bond financing in order to finance the remaining $94.8 million.

What else do we get?

Among other things:

⃣ The Tahltan Nation will continue to receive the royalties, options ⃣ The agreement of Manulife and Axium that they will not transfer and benefits from the Northwest Project IBAs and the shares in the control of the Northwest Projects to a third party (other than Manulife Volcano Creek project that the Tahltan Heritage Trust already holds. and/or Axium) without Tahltan consent and compensation. ⃣ The Tahltan Nation will remain a non-taxable entity. ⃣ The Tahltan Nation has the buy-in rights for up to 20% interest in ⃣ We negotiated a board seat on each general partner board. the Projects in years 20-40. ⃣ We will receive information rights with respect to the limited ⃣ All of the debt is non-recourse to the Tahltan Nation. Meaning, partnership’s accounting and financial statements. if debt cannot be repaid, the only capital exposed is the Tahltan’s initial equity investment of $29.5 million.

66 TAHLTAN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – ANNUAL REPORT 2019/2020

DEPARTMENT MESSAGE Membership & Genealogy The Membership & Genealogy Department’s main unit as a temporary storage space in the Dease priority is managing the day-to-day operations of the Lake Government building. The units are specifically Membership Database. Any statistical data given designed for archival banker box storage; we can around Membership is generated via the database. move them easily once we secure a permanent All objectives, activities, and outcomes are related to location. When we have a permanent storage facility management of the database. Our primary intention is (in our own building), we would like to see the storage to provide accurate and comprehensive information for situation upgraded to firesafe filing cabinets. Under all departments within TCG. Each department needs the current space and budget constraints, the shelving our help and database for their work and outreach. unit is our best option. The sheer volume of this project We support all the departments of the TCG. requires our continuous work, especially with the Shannon Frank added constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic. Membership & Genealogy Director Culture

In May of 2019, Sandra Marion and I participated in a workshop with the Archives Association of British Columbia. It was the first session in a training series offered for free by the Province. We look forward to our continued training with the association.

Right: Sandra and Since late Spring 2019, I have worked in partnership Shannon sifting with Sandra on several projects that overlap across through collections of documents for Tahltan our departments. For the archival project, we began specific information. unloading the two Sea-Cans full of historical and company data. This information was previously housed in the basement of the TCG administration building in Dease Lake, then evacuated to Terrace via two Sea-Cans for the duration of the Fire Alert in Dease Lake during August 2018. The Sea-Cans were later sent back to the administration building property, but they were not unpacked because the basement had been converted into office space for our new Wildlife and Community Funds positions. As the administration building had no more storage space for the archives, we secured a rental space in the Dease Lake Government building. I had a small budget surplus and used the additional funds to purchase shelving units. We set up the shelving

67 MEMBERSHIP & GENEALOGY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT REPORT Membership

Education

We continue to provide membership confirmation for students applying for funding and/or verification letters for students who are not able to prove ancestry by & Genealogy Status Cards. Employment

We provide membership demographic information by request and membership verification on social media accounts for Tahltan Job Postings.

In October, Sandra, Roxanne Ball, and I took a relationship building trip to the BC Archives. We spent Events three days locating, retrieving, copying, and ordering a variety of historical data including photos, transcripts, Under normal circumstances, I would provide theses, correspondence, and birth, death, and marriage demographics to determine off-Territory meeting certificates. The trip was a good initial effort at data sites. For instance, the annual Spring Update meetings retrieval from the BC Archives and the first of the many for off-Territory communities are determined by trips needed to collect all Tahltan material stored there. our membership density in urban areas. If we are considering a meeting in Alberta and must choose During an Elders meeting prior to the AGA, the Elders between Edmonton or Calgary, we go with the city that stated that they would like to provide their personal has the most Tahltans within a 100km radius to give us photos to TCG for scanning, documentation, and the largest audience and best attendance. safekeeping. They kindly offered their photos for our Nations’ future reference and use. Since then, we Once we designate a circuit of the cities and towns began sourcing portable equipment for the job and, selected, I build regional reports specific to each in conjunction with the Legal team, composing the pre-determined community. I send the reports to the waivers necessary for such a project. Communications Department to relay the invitations and reminders for each meeting. We utilize email, text messages, and automated calling in these instances. Communications For example, we always choose Terrace due to its We continue to provide the Communications Department high Tahltan population around the area. I call this the with contact information for meetings, newsletters, email Coastal Northwest Region. In the regional report, the blasts, and membership outreach in general. outreach blitz covers all villages in the Nass Valley, Kitwanga, Kitwancool, Kitimat, Terrace, Prince Rupert, We collaborated on several projects such as bringing Port Edward, and Port Simpson. The report includes the team onto a shared digital storage space, creating all registered Tahltan members (eighteen and over a staff events calendar and the rebranding. as of the meeting date), with their email, cell phone, home number, and location. With it, we determine who We contribute the Birth Announcements, Condolences, to contact for each community meeting. This is one of and quarterly department Updates for each Newsletter. the many reasons it’s crucial to stay updated.

68 TAHLTAN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – ANNUAL REPORT 2019/2020

Finance Membership

We provide the Finance Department with the quarterly We are developing new waivers for: new membership, Elders disbursement report. This report includes all updating contact information, rescinding membership, registered Tahltan members 65 and older as of the unsubscribing from receiving news, declaration of disbursement date and their mailing address, phone spouse (registering Associate Tahltan’s for preferential number, and in some cases, email. The quarters are hiring verification), family allotment, change of gender, April 1st, July 1st, Oct 1st, and January 1st. The report release of name for public family mapping, and is generated and sent to finance two weeks prior to the registration of death. All new membership and contact disbursement date for Cindy to have enough time to update waivers will have male, female, and gender- enter, produce, and send the disbursements. neutral options.

Every quarter we see a few more Elders added to the We approach the developments with guidance from our list. I contact the new Elders prior to the distribution legal department to ensure we consider all necessary date and verify their information before submitting details before offering the new waivers on our website. the report to Cindy Dennis. We now offer direct Once this step is complete, the waivers will be banded deposit. This not only saves us in staff production and then digitized for our website. Next, we will upload time but also in cheques, envelopes, printing, and and test them. When we are satisfied with the results, postage. Unfortunately, we have begun to see a rise in we will release the waivers for use. suspected instances where Elders are taken advantage of and in most cases, it is by a family member. Although we cannot completely stop it from happening, Voting with direct deposit we can ensure that the money goes directly into the intended person’s bank account. For any vote that occurs, from elections to referendums, our membership list is engaged. That means all data on Complete Members (genealogy, and mailing Lands/Wildlife address are verified) who are of legal voting age will be included and they will be asked to participate. The We supply the Lands and Wildlife Departments with accumulation of this information is in a continuing state the appropriate information pertaining to traplines and of development as our Membership fluctuates. Land Use Site Membership verification. In June of 2019, we held the KSM ratification Vote.

In July of 2019, we held the vote for our Executive “In July of 2019, we held the vote for our and, for the first time, the family votes for our Board Executive and, for the first time, the of Directors. In total there were ten family-specific elections for Family Representatives and three family votes for our Board of Directors. full membership elections for the Executive roles: In total there were ten family-specific President, Vice President and Secretary Treasurer. elections for Family Representatives and three full membership elections for the Executive roles: President, Vice President and Secretary Treasurer.”

69 MEMBERSHIP & GENEALOGY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT REPORT

Affiliates Industry

TAHLTAN SOCIO-CULTURAL TAHLTAN NATION DEVELOPMENT WORKING GROUP CORPORATION, RED CHRIS, & BRUCEJACK We provide various demographic reporting on Membership by request We provide membership verification for preferential hiring. In addition, we are in partnership with Newcrest to ISKUT & TAHLTAN BAND COUNCILS develop Cultural Sensitivity training and we provide input on their proposed social baseline study in conjunction We provide various demographic reporting on Band with the Contracting and Business Development, Membership, specifically including contact information Education & Training, Employment, Communications, for membership outreach and voting purposes. and Culture and Heritage Departments.

The Database is a tool that requires regular maintenance. Neglecting it devalues it as an asset. The most time- consuming part of this position is the maintenance, such as updating contact information, births, deaths, and verifying new members, while clearing any previous errors with new, legitimate information received.

FUN FACTS BY THE NUMBERS Total Membership

This year: %

Ȗ 235 new registrants (these are % 333 = Ages 65+ babies, children, and adults who 2585 = Ages 64-18 registered as new Members) 913 = Ages 17-0 Ȗ processed over 1300 % membership updates

Ȗ confirmed over 150 students

Ȗ provided over 80 Membership On/Off Territory Verification Letters

Ȗ confirmed 100s of Memberships for preferential hiring %

743 On

3088 Off %

70 TAHLTAN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – ANNUAL REPORT 2019/2020

CommunicationsDEPARTMENT MESSAGE

The mandate of the Communications Department is: 1. to provide gold standard communication between the Tahltan Central Government Our Department and Tahltan Membership; and in 2019-2020

This year the Communications Department led the 2. to facilitate external communications between TCG Board’s initiative to rebrand TCG and made the Tahltan Nation and the outside world. significant advances in TCG’s internal and external channels of communication.

Our Department develops and implements information MAJOR PROJECTS INCLUDED: campaigns and provides messaging and strategy. We offer issues management expertise and help • Members-only section on TCG website navigate TCG’s relations with government and industry. • AGA and Special Assembly (first time such We field press requests and position the Tahltan Nation an event was livestreamed) favourably in the media. We maintain TCG’s website • Elections and social media, and produce multimedia, including the Quarterly Newsletters, the Wildlife Newsletter, the • KSM IBA Industry Review, posters, videos, and this Annual Report. • Jade Campaign Importantly, we assist our fellow TCG Departments Gordon Infanti on a variety of projects; more specifically, we play • Klappan Plan Communications a critical role in ensuring that each Department • Northwest Hydroelectric Projects can communicate their message loud and clear, to Director • OnTrack website and media campaign Members and to the public at large. We aim to empower them in pursuit of their own work and initiatives and to • Rebranding bring attention to their achievements. • United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) The TCG Communications Department also provides • Communications & Engagement Agreements communications assistance to other TCG partners and Tahltan entities, including 3Nations, Iskut Band, Tahltan ONGOING, FOUNDATIONAL Band, Tahltan Heritage Trust, and TNDC. PROJECTS INCLUDE:

• Newsletters, Reports, and Reviews • Tahltan Nation Mailing List • TCG Strategic Media List • Staff Mailing List • Refining TCG’s methods of outreach, including use of infographics and social media • Rollout of new messaging (e.g. mass texts) • Adapting and improving the website • Managing TCG’s files, media and assets

71 COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT REPORT Communications

Communicating for Comms at a Glance TCG & the Departments APRIL 1, 2019-APRIL 2020

Here are some examples of our work with each Department: COMMUNICATIONS & 20 ENGAGEMENT AGREEMENTS For the Departments of Business & Contracting, Education & Training, and Employment, we created a marketing website and media campaign entitled Tahltan OnTrack. Along with leading the communication and

strategy, we made multiple site visits and produced a QUARTERLY ANNUAL series of videos profiling Tahltan workers and career 4 NEWSLETTERS 1 REPORT opportunities. See page 53 or visit ontrack.tahltan.org.

For the Lands Department, we helped promote their important achievements with the Klappan Plan and the ICA grant. We regularly assist the Land Stewardship INDUSTRY WILDLIFE Planning process. 1REVIEW 1NEWSLETTER For the Culture & Heritage Department, we help develop the Cultural Safety program, prepare Elder interviews, and plan projects for storing and presenting historical archives. We are working together on several future initiatives. 11,534 VIDEOS MINUTES VIEWED ON PRODUCED FACEBOOK VIDEOS IN 2019 For the Membership & Genealogy Department, we 6 assist in ensuring the Tahltan Membership List is current. We assure channels of communication with Tahltan Members remain open, accurate and up to date. This year we expanded our messaging reach with the introduction of texting. TOTAL EMAIL 45,512 58 BLASTS IN 2019 2019 WEBSITE PAGE VIEWS For the Wildlife Department, we document the work of the Guardians, assist with signage, and create the Wildlife Newsletter.

These are just a few examples of how the INCREASE IN FACEBOOK Communications Department works with other 41% PAGE LIKES IN 2019 TCG Departments.

72 COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT REPORT

Improving Channels of Communication

Our Department focuses on updating and improving This year we (again) redesigned the TCG’s methods of communicating with Membership Industry Review, aiming for more directed content and accountability. We refined the Quarterly Newsletters and this Annual Report to offer more engaging communication.

2020 INDUSTRY REVIEW tahltan.org/2020-industry-review

SPRING NEWSLETTER 2020 tahltan.org/2020-spring-newsletter

Central Government

WILDLIFE NEWSLETTER 2019

Wildlife Newsletter 2019 tahltan.org/2019-wildlife-newsletter

73 Central Government To read all the previous TCG newsletters, visit: tahltan.org/newsletters

SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2019 Tahltan Central Summer Newsletter 2019 tahltan.org/2019-summer-newsletter Government Rebranded

Our major achievement was the completion of the Board-initiated Central Government branding exercise and the launch of our new brand. The bold new brand celebrates Tahltan language and culture and allows TCG to represent the Tahltan Nation with strength and FALL authority wherever needed, from NEWSLETTER posters to PowerPoints, on signs and online. The rebranding also helps 2019 us ensure TCG’s brand is clear and consistent across all Departments Fall Newsletter 2019 and towards the public. tahltan.org/2019-fall-newsletter

Going forward we will continue building on the new brand and sharing corresponding assets and offshoots with Membership. For more info about Central Government the new brand and the rebranding process, please see page 75 or visit: tahltan.org/2020-rebrand

WINTER NEWSLETTER 2020

Winter Newsletter 2019 tahltan.org/2020-winter-newsletter

74 TAHLTAN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – ANNUAL REPORT 2019/2020 Tahltan Central Government Rebranded

The Tahltan Central Government’s rebranding is the result of COLOUR hours of research, strategy development and co-creation, in collaboration with Tahltan cultural and language advisors. We chose the brand colours by referencing traditional Tahltan artwork and textiles, creating a palette authentic to our culture and The previous TCG Board of Directors set the project in motion, versatile for government and public use. noting increasing expectations, growing demand from digital communications and social media, and the need for an identity reflecting our strong and authentic voice. The new TCG Board continued the project, reviewing the process and assuring its completion.

“Our brand is bold and will stand out because the design principles are based on the history of our culture and language.” Jodi Payne—Cawtoonma, Family representative

The outcome is a brand strategy and visual identity that responds to our primary goal: that the Tahltan Central Government brand becomes a bridge for communications between internal and external stakeholders, promoting the well-being of our Territory, economy, society, culture, language, health and education. This is about our commitment to positive change, promoting sustainability and skills growth.

“I love that our new brand is incorporating designs from our ancestors and that we are using the proper pronunciation of Tahltan.” Carmen McPhee—Good-za-ma, Family representative

BRAND ELEMENTS

These elements have been illustrated by Tahltan artists referencing the traditional shapes found in Tahltan beadwork. They are stylized using a dotted line to reference this beading and, when paired with colour and imagery, create an authentic visual language.

“Incorporating our culture into the TCG’s brand will not only help define us culturally but also as a Nation.” Ann M . Ball—Etzenlee, Family representative

75 TAHLTAN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT REBRANDED

Tāłtān is Tahltan spelled in the Tahltan language. “The use of our shapes is really powerful because they have so many different Tāłtān is set in a customized bold typeface that has been influenced by historical artifacts and sacred places. The T has been extended and meanings to our people. It defines slightly curved as a reference to daggers and arrow heads carved from Tahltan without saying any words.” obsidian. The diacritic macrons above the A resemble snow capped mountains. Finally the typeface was constructed to create a solid and Kimberley Marion—Simgaldtada (Ts’imgalteda), Family representative proud visual identity representing the Tahltan people and our bold history. Fundamental to the cultural past and future of Tahltans – and indisputably unique – is the Tāłtān language and alphabet. Standing “I am excited that the resilience of our alone, it is a clear symbol of the power of communication, standing language and the creativity of our the test of time, and serving as a beacon to future generations. While the stylistic and artistic interpretation of logos and symbols ancestors is now the essence of our brand.” may come and go, and sometimes even alienate, a language will Sandra Marion—Thud ga, Family representative unify and leave its indelible mark.

76 TAHLTAN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – ANNUAL REPORT 2019/2020

This year we continued to develop TCG’s communications via the latest technology, notably texting, livestreaming, social media, the website and video.

On the website, we implemented the password- Gēs ja’atē. Dēk’āne ja’atē protected, Members-Only section to communicate private information, including financial and legal matters, livestreams of meetings, and other sensitive content. The secure page provided information around the 2019 elections, the November 2019 Special Assembly, the NW Hydroelectric Facilities Purchase, the KSM IBA, and the 2020 AGA. We continue to develop the section as a repository for Tahltan Nation specific resources and information. Cultural & Literacy Camp

We produced videos for a range of departments and initiatives, from culture camp in Glenora to underground at Brucejack: • Gēs ja’atē. Dēk’āne ja’atē • Cultural & Literacy Camp • Notice to Cease Jade and Placer Operations Notice to Cease Jade and Placer Operations • Guardians: Caribou Collaring • Tahltan Underground Miners • Women of Red Chris View the success stories on ontrack.tahltan.org • OnTrack series of short profiles and to watch the short profiles . social media stings

Our videos are available to view at: tahltan.org/videos Guardians: Caribou Collaring

Finally, we guided improvements to communications within TCG.

We led the transition to Office 365, significantly improving TCG’s capabilities for remote work and collaboration. We prepared the online office by Tahltan Underground Miners onboarding staff, creating standards of practice and operating protocols, and streamlining our internal communication via Teams. In the transition process, we led the archiving and organizing of TCG’s files, media, and other assets onto SharePoint.

Women of Red Chris

77 COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT REPORT

Promoting Tahltans’ Message To The World

As our Department builds relationships with the media, our efforts help Tahltan stories find ever increasing coverage.

HERE ARE JUST A FEW EXAMPLES NORTHWEST HYDROELECTRIC Northwest Hydroelectric FROM THE PAST YEAR: FACILITIES PURCHASE Facilities Purchase breakdown by media type: • What meaningful engagement and collaboration When the Tahltan Nation bought into the Northwest looks like: How the Tahltan helped create the BC Hydroelectric Facilities, making the largest clean 509 TOTAL PIECES OF Regional Mining Alliance Canadian Mining Journal, energy investment by a First Nation in BC history, we TRADITIONAL AND SOCIAL COVERAGE RESULTING IN: June 1, 2019 made sure the world heard. 65,667,371 Jade Extraction Stoppage – After assisting President The Northwest Hydroelectric Facilities investment MEDIA IMPRESSIONS Chad Norman Day in notifying jade and placer announcement received a total of 65,677,371 media operations to cease operations on Tahltan Territory, impressions resulting from 509 pieces of traditional 204 ONLINE we helped promote the message in the press and and social coverage. PIECES RESULTING IN: pressure the Province to act. See page 25 for more information. Total of 11 interviews: APTN, BNN Bloomberg, CBC 54,152,989 North Daybreak, Vancouver Sun, Global BC Morning IMPRESSIONS • Tahltan Nation wants jade and placer mines News, Canadian Press, Terrace Standard (Black

gone unless they make serious changes Press), CFTK-TV (Terrace), The Moose (Smithers), 20 BROADCAST APTN, August 9, 2019 CHON-FM, CBC Radio On the Coast. CLIPS RESULTING IN:

• Tahltan: No more jade, placer mining A media impression is an audience member's 4,186,600 Mining News North, July 01, 2019 interaction with a piece of media content. For example, IMPRESSIONS if a news program has a total of one million viewers, a United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous story that aired on this program receives a potential 13 PRINT PIECES RESULTING IN: Peoples (UNDRIP) – With BC’s adoption of UNDRIP, the impression number of one million. The impressions Tahltan story became a leading example for the next number for a particular piece of media coverage is set stage of First Nations and industry relations. based on that outlet's reach (i.e. circulation # for print, 2,547,565 unique monthly visitors for websites, viewership for TV, IMPRESSIONS • UNDRIP in British Columbia: and listenership for radio). 37 RADIO A much-needed path for First Nations and PIECES RESULTING IN: industry The Globe and Mail, October 25, 2019 We hoped for a best-case scenario of 10,000,000 media impressions secured. We blew this out of the water with 2,049,400 • First Movers: How Indigenous people in B.C. an incredible 65,677,371 media impressions. IMPRESSIONS exercise their economic and political power will

have massive implications BC Business, February This means a great deal of exposure 235 SOCIAL MEDIA 27, 2020 for the Tahltan Nation, not just in BC POSTS RESULTING IN:

Featuring Tahltan’s Individual Achievements but also nationally. It builds awareness 2,740,817 of the Nation, TCG and our brand IMPRESSIONS • Lando Ball: “Smithers fighter wins bronze at with the public and with business karate worlds” The Interior News, October 18, 2019 TOTAL audiences across Canada. To put 11 INTERVIEWS • Kelly Edzerza-Bapty “Skeena Voices | Designing a this announcement into perspective, strong identity” Terrace Standard, June 24, 2019 AT A STANDARD OF based on the industry cost per $0.02 PER IMPRESSION, 65,677,371 MEDIA contact (CPC) standard of $0.02 IMPRESSIONS EQUATES TO: per impression, 65,677,371 media $1,313,547 impressions equates to $1,313,547 in IN PR VALUE FOR PR value for this campaign. THIS CAMPAIGN

78 COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT REPORT

Facilitating Communications around Tahltan Territory

TCG uses Communications & Engagement Agreements • Aben Resources Ltd. (Forrest Kerr) to ensure that the companies working in Tahltan • Brixton Metals Territory meaningfully engage our Nation and respect • Coeur Silvertip Holdings Ltd. our Title & Rights. Our innovative and unique use of Communications & Engagement Agreements offers an • Colorado Resources Ltd. example to other First Nations navigating relationships • Crystal Lake Mining Corp. with industry. With the implementation of UNDRIP, • Etruscus Resources Tahltan protocols offer a guiding example for both First Nations and industry. Both parties need help • Garibaldi Resources Corp. understanding the changing expectations and their • Giga Metals Corp. new roles and relationships. • Golden Ridge Resources Ltd.

By President Day’s directive, every company in • GT Gold Corp. Tahltan Territory must have a Communications • Hawkeye Gold and Diamonds & Engagement Agreement. Meaningful engagement • Hudbay Minerals Inc. is no longer an option in Tahltan Territory. It is a requirement. The Communications Department • Kutcho Copper Corp. oversees these Agreements. • Libero Copper and Gold Corp. • Metallis Resources Inc. In 2018/2019, we signed 18 Communications & Engagement Agreements. This past fiscal year • NorthPac Forestry (2019/2020), 20 companies signed Communications • Schaft Creek Joint Venture & Engagement Agreements. For the 2019/2020 –Teck Resources and Copper Fox fiscal year we had Communications & Engagement • Skeena Resources Ltd. Agreements with the following companies: • SnipGold Corp. • Tudor Gold

Communications Going Forward

On TCG’s website and social media, you may have “Tahltan Nation leadership is noticed our updates around COVID-19. As leadership setting standards for mining responds to the crisis, we provide messaging for TCG, the Tahltan Nation Emergency Management Team, activity during the beginning of both Bands, the 3 Nations, and our industry partners. COVID-19 and the information

We continue to develop our website and other that was provided publicly is methods of communication to help our Nation precedent setting. I know many navigate the pandemic. We create infographics and signs, post notifications in newspapers, and facilitate communities and companies communication between provincial authorities and globally that have looked to business and community leaders. We support Feddie Louie, the emergency management lead, and provide you as an example.” crisis management expertise. Carolyn Burns, Co-Founder and Director of Operations, NetPositive Along with this important work, we continue our work on the brand, OnTrack, and initiatives across TCG and our fellow departments.

79 SECTION TITLE

80 TAHLTAN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – ANNUAL REPORT 2019/2020 TAHLTAN NATION IN THE NEWS LIST OF ARTICLES

Ȗ Annita McPhee joins race for NDP Ȗ Newcrest takes control of Red Chris JV Ȗ The jade hunters on Tahltan land nomination (Vanderhood Omineca in British Columbia (Mining Global, (The Narwhal, Oct 26, 2019) – pg. 86 Express, Apr 4, 2019) – pg. 82 Aug 17, 2019) – pg. 84 Ȗ Northwest BC hydroelectric facility Ȗ Cole Pauls's comics preserve First Ȗ Tahltan Nation first to benefit from $1.35B honoured for operational excellence Nations language — and also celebrate conservation fund (Canada's National (The Interior News, Nov 6, 2019) – pg. 87 punks eating pizza Observer, Aug 19, 2019) – pg. 84 (CBC Arts, Apr 10, 2019) – pg. 82 Ȗ Tahltan Nation’s proactive stance with Ȗ Feds approve $3.9M for protected, UNDRIP (Canadian Mining Journal, Ȗ Vancouver Indigenous art exhibit conserved areas in Tahltan territory Dec 1, 2019) – pg. 87 highlights female artists and combats (CBC News, Aug19, 2019) – pg. 85 stereotypes (The Globe and Mail, Ȗ Indigenous stories from UVic featured Apr 15, 2019) – pg. 82 Ȗ ‘We have a biodiversity crisis’: feds in The Camp(us) (The Martlet, announce $175 million for new Dec 11, 2019) – pg. 87 Ȗ Indigenous businessman to share story conservation projects of overcoming adversity at Mayors’ (The Narwhal, Aug 19, 2019) – pg. 91 Ȗ Reconciliation comes in many forms Prayer Breakfast (battlefordsNOW, (BC Local News, Jan 23, 2020) – pg. 87 May 24, 2019) – pg. 82 Ȗ Tahltan Nation and provincial government sign Klappen Valley plan Ȗ Economic success stories bust myths Ȗ What meaningful engagement and (MyBulkleyLakesNow, Aug 30, 2019) about mining and First Nations in B.C. collaboration looks like (Canadian – pg. 85 (Prince George Citizen, Jan 28, 2020) Mining Journal, June 1, 2019) – pg. 83 – pg. 88 Ȗ Sacred Headwaters Protection a Ȗ Skeena Voices | Designing a strong ‘Great Beginning’ (The Tyee, Ȗ Mining Hall of Fame awards gala identity (Terrace Standard, Aug 30, 2019) – pg. 85 welcomes four inductees (The Northern June 24, 2019) – pg. 83 Miner, Feb 5, 2020) – pg. 88 Ȗ Tahltan: no more jade, placer gold Ȗ Rural communities in British Columbia mining (Mining News North, Ȗ UVic scholars receive national teaching will benefit from faster Internet Sept 26, 2019) – pg. 85 honours (Times Colonist, Feb 20, 2020) (Innovation, Science and Economic – pg. 88 Development Canada, July 2, 2019) Ȗ Tahltan mining leader to be inducted – pg. 83 into Canadian Mining Hall of Fame Ȗ Entrepreneurship and Indigenous (Yukon News, Sept 26, 2019) – pg. 86 education professors win prestigious Ȗ Tahltan Nation announces largest teaching awards (UVic News, clean energy investment in B.C. history Ȗ Dakwäkãda Warriors comic series Feb 20, 2020) – pg. 88 (Vancouver Sun, July 29, 2019) – pg. 83 collected into new book (Yukon News, Oct 4, 2019) – pg. 86 Ȗ First Movers: How Indigenous people Ȗ Tahltan First Nation buys into $2.5B in B.C. exercise their economic and B.C. hydro project (BNN Bloomberg, Ȗ Smithers fighter wins bronze at karate political power will have massive July 29, 2019) – pg. 84 worlds (The Interior News, Oct 18, 2019) implications (BCBusiness, Feb 27, 2020) – pg. 86 – pg. 89 Ȗ Tahltan Nation wants jade and placer mines gone, unless they make serious Ȗ UNDRIP in British Columbia: changes (APTN News, Aug 9, 2019) A much-needed path for First Nations – pg. 84 and industry (The Globe and Mail, Oct 25, 2019) – pg. 103

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Annita McPhee joins race for NDP nomination Vanderhoof Omineca Express | Article by Quinn Bender | April 4, 2019

Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP hopeful is a three-term president of the Tahltan Central Government. Annita McPhee has submitted her name for the NDP candidacy in the federal Skeena-Bulkley Valley riding. The prominent Indigenous advocate served three terms as president of the Tahltan Central Government (TCG) until 2014, and currently runs her own consultancy firm focusing on communication strategies between First Nations and industry over energy and resource development. terracestandard.com/news/annita-mcphee-joins-race-for-ndp-nomination

Cole Pauls's comics preserve First Nations language — and also celebrate punks eating pizza CBC Arts | Article by Camille Vernet | April 10, 2019

'The first time I read an Indigenous comic book, I felt empowered' Cole Pauls is a Tahltan First Nation comic artist, printmaker and illustrator, now in Vancouver but originally from Haines Junction, Yukon. And he's exploring two major parts of his life in his two comic series. cbc.ca/arts/exhibitionists/cole-pauls-s-comics-preserve-first-nations-language-and-also-celebrate-punks- eating-pizza-1.5092379

Vancouver Indigenous art exhibit highlights female artists and combats stereotypes The Globe and Mail | Article by Brenna Owen | April 15, 2019

A group of female artists who were appalled at the depiction of Indigenous women by a Canadian clothing brand have launched a major exhibition at Vancouver’s Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art aiming to combat stereotypes. theglobeandmail.com/canada/british-columbia/article-vancouver-indigenous-art-exhibit-highlights-female- artists-and-combats

Indigenous businessman to share story of overcoming adversity at Mayors’ Prayer Breakfast battlefordsNOW | Article by Angela Brown | May 24, 2019

As a residential school survivor and a victim of abuse, like many others Adsit struggled with substance abuse as he tried to cope with his demons later as an adult. The member of The Tahltan First Nation in northern B.C. said he eventually overcame his addiction through prayer and perseverance. battlefordsnow.com/2019/05/24/indigenous-businessman-to-share-story-of-overcoming-adversity-at- mayors-prayer-breakfast

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What meaningful engagement and collaboration looks like Mining Journal | Article by Chad Norman Day | June 1, 2019

Mining has always been part of the Tahltan DNA. For thousands of years, Tahltans prospected and mined obsidian, copper, gold, jade, agate and other precious stones. They turned these resources into essential tools and an important trading resource. Obsidian artifacts have been found thousands of kilometres away, hinting at the immense trade network and its high value for tools and weaponry. In the late 1800s, Tahltans supported miners during the gold rush and we have since evolved into a sophisticated mining Nation. canadianminingjournal.com/features/what-meaningful-engagement-and-collaboration-looks-like

Skeena Voices | Designing a strong identity Terrace Standard | Article by Natalia Balcerzak | June 24, 2019

This month, Bapty was officially recognized as an architect into the Architectural Institute of BC (AIBC) at an Induction Ceremony in Vancouver, making her the second Indigenous and first Tahltan woman in the province to achieve this. terracestandard.com/community/skeena-voices-designing-a-strong-identity

Rural communities in British Columbia will benefit from faster Internet Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada | July 2, 2019

Canadians understand the importance of building communities. They have always invested in ways to better connect with each other—from the St. Lawrence Seaway to the national railroad system to the Trans-Canada Highway. Those investments now need to reflect the increasingly digital world. newswire.ca/news-releases/rural-communities-in-british-columbia-will-benefit-from-faster-internet-886931962

Tahltan Nation announces largest clean energy investment in B.C. history Vancouver Sun | Article by Cheryl Chan | July 29, 2019

A hydroelectric project in Northwest B.C. is the recipient of a 2019 Clean Energy BC (CEBC) award.The Forrest Kerr run-of-the-river facility owned by Axium Infrastructure, Manulife Financial, the Tahltan First Nation and AltaGas Canada is being honoured for Operational Excellence. vancouversun.com/news/local-news/tahltan-nation-announces-largest-clean-energy-investment-in-b-c-history

83 TAHLTAN NATION IN THE NEWS

Tahltan First Nation buys into $2.5B B.C. hydro project BNN Bloomberg | The Canadian Press | July 29, 2019

The Tahltan Nation announced Monday the purchase of a five per cent stake in three run-of-river hydro-electric projects located in its traditional territories, which include the communities of Iskut, Dease Lake and Telegraph Creek. Tahltan Central Government President Chad Day said the deal marks a significant economic achievement for the Nation as it will generate revenue and provide clean energy for decades. bnnbloomberg.ca/tahltan-first-nation-buys-into-2-5b-b-c-hydro-project-1.1294037

Tahltan Nation wants jade and placer mines gone, unless they make serious changes APTN News | Article by Laurie Hamelin | August 9, 2019

“B.C. seems to think they are low impact industries, but when you look at the impact collectively and when you look at the lack of regulations you quickly realize that cumulatively they have a very negative impact on the land base. There’s just a lot of problems right now so we don’t consent to them and we’ll never consent to them until there are serious changes.” aptnnews.ca/national-news/tahltan-nation-wants-jade-and-placer-mines-gone-unless-they-make- serious-changes

Newcrest takes control of Red Chris JV in British Columbia Mining Global | Article by Daniel Brightmore | August 17, 2019

Newcrest has announced the completion of a joint venture transaction with Imperial Metals, which sees the leading gold miner increase its stake in British Columbia’s Red Chris mine to 70%. We are pleased with the highly constructive and collaborative relationship we are developing with the Tahltan Nation and the government of British Columbia… miningglobal.com/operations/newcrest-takes-control-red-chris-jv-british-columbia

Tahltan Nation first to benefit from $1.35B conservation fund Canada's National Observer | Article by Stephanie Wood | August 19, 2019

In a statement, the Tahltan Central Government said creating protected and conservation areas will "decrease uncertainty for resource partners, industry, businesses and government agencies" operating in their territory, and help protect habitat areas for species at risk like woodland caribou and Pacific salmon. nationalobserver.com/2019/08/19/news/tahltan-nation-first-benefit-135-billion-conservation-fund

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Feds approve $3.9M for protected, conserved areas in Tahltan territory CBC News | Article by Emily Blake | August 19, 2019

The federal government has approved up to $3,998,760 toward protecting and conserving areas with cultural and ecological importance to Tahltan people. Catherine McKenna, minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced Monday the funding for the Tahltan Central Government project was approved from the $175 million Canada Nature Fund's Target 1 initiative. It is one of 67 conservation initiatives receiving funding across Canada. cbc.ca/news/canada/north/tahltan-protection-conservation-funding-1.5252517

Tahltan Nation and provincial government sign Klappen Valley plan MyBulkleyLakesNow | Article by Lindsay Newman | August 30, 2019

The provincial government and the Tahltan Nation have signed a plan that advances reconciliation and embraces the Klappen Valley’s significant social, cultural, environmental and economic values. The plan is to help protect the sacred headwaters area from industrial development for a minimum of 20 years. It also helps identify where the development is appropriate. mybulkleylakesnow.com/37689/tahltan-nation-and-provincial-government-sign-klappen-valley-plan

Sacred Headwaters Protection a ‘Great Beginning’ The Tyee | Article by Amanda Follett Hosgood | August 30, 2019

“Protect our land!” The cry rings out across Kawdy Cho camp, eliciting laughter as dignitaries, their pens poised, gather around a plywood podium to ensure — at least for a while — protection of the Sacred Headwaters. thetyee.ca/News/2019/08/30/Sacred-Headwaters-Protection-Klappan-Plan-Signing-Great-Start

Tahltan: no more jade, placer gold mining Mining News North | Article by Shane Lasley | September 26, 2019

"We have called on the province to address unauthorized uses of access roads by jade and placer miners, and have demanded that no further jade or placer claims are issued in Tahltan Territory," said Day. "If the province is not receptive and respectful towards our requests, we will be taking all steps necessary to shut down these industries ourselves." miningnewsnorth.com/story/2019/07/01/northern-neighbors/tahltan-no-more-jade-placer-gold-mining/5814

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Tahltan mining leader to be inducted into Canadian Mining Hall of Fame Yukon News | Article by Jackie Hong | September 29, 2019

P. Jerry Asp said he was alerted about his successful nomination in a letter he received from Canadian Mining Hall of Fame chair John Baird on Sept 10. “This is a really, really big thing … it’s much-appreciated for sure,” Asp said. “I’ve been a long time in the mining industry, almost 60 years, so to receive this recognition is great.” yukon-news.com/business/tahltan-mining-leader-to-be-inducted-into-canadian-mining-hall-of-fame

Dakwäkãda Warriors comic series collected into new book Yukon News | Article by Jackie Hong | October 4, 2019

If you’ve ever seen a copy of the Dakwäkãda Warriors on a store shelf, it’s because illustrator Cole Pauls dropped it off there himself. The Tahltan artist from Haines Junction, who now lives in Vancouver, self-published the three-part comic series, which follows the stories of two warriors, Ts’ür’i and Aghay (Raven and Wolf, respectively), as they battle against nemeses Cyber Nà’į and Space Kwäday Dän. yukon-news.com/entertainment/dakwkda-warriors-comic-series-collected-into-new-book

Smithers fighter wins bronze at karate worlds The Interior News | Article by Thom Barker | October 18, 2019

Lando Ball, 13, was just one point away from advancing to the gold medal fight in the U12 50+ kg Karate point fighting division when he narrowly lost out to American opponent Diego Galeano. “I felt like I won,” Lando said via text from Bregenz, Austria. “I’m a winner for just coming here to the World Championships.” interior-news.com/sports/smithers-fighter-wins-bronze-at-karate-worlds

The jade hunters on Tahltan land The Narwhal | Article by Christoper Pollon | October 26, 2019

Popularized in reality TV shows like Jade Fever, amateur and independent miners have been flocking to northwest B.C. in search of the precious green stone that’s being dug up on mountain sides and riverbeds at an increasing pace. And while operators come armed with permits from the province, the Tahltan Nation is evicting miners who do not have permission to operate on unceded traditional territory under Indigenous law. thenarwhal.ca/the-jade-hunters-on-tahltan-land

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Northwest BC hydroelectric facility honoured for operational excellence The Interior News | Article by Thom Barker | November 6, 2019

A hydroelectric project in Northwest B.C. is the recipient of a 2019 Clean Energy BC (CEBC) award.The Forrest Kerr run-of-the-river facility owned by Axium Infrastructure, Manulife Financial, the Tahltan First Nation and AltaGas Canada is being honoured for Operational Excellence. BC Hydro put the 195mW facility, originally built by AltaGas, into service in 2014. interior-news.com/news/northwest-bc-hydroelectric-facility-honoured-for-operational-excellence

Tahltan Nation’s proactive stance with UNDRIP Canadian Mining Journal | Article By Chad Norman Day | December 1, 2019

The Tahltan Nation supports mineral exploration and mining projects in most portions of the territory, but such activities must be socially responsible, have robust environmental mitigations in place and contribute to the well-being of the Tahltan people through a series of commitments and benefits that respect our collective title and rights. canadianminingjournal.com/features/tahltan-nations-proactive-stance-with-undrip

Indigenous stories from UVic featured in The Camp(us) The Martlet | Article by Kate Korte | December 11, 2019

Throughout Canada’s history, education has been used to further and institutionalize colonialism. A newly released film shot at the University of Victoria seeks to unpack this dynamic, connecting the experiences of students at UVic to Canada’s residential school system.

The film opens with a clip from a documentary about the history of the _ WSÁNEĆ School Board, blending the history of residential schools with current, ongoing narratives of Indigenous students. martlet.ca/indigenous-stories-from-uvic-featured-in-the-campus

Reconciliation comes in many forms BC Local News | Article by Chad Norman Day | January 23, 2020

I pray that all First Nations could organize themselves effectively and validate, amend or replace their pre-contact laws/practices/institutions and communicate such decisions openly and honestly, with both their own citizens and others, so that everyone can move forward with certainty. If the Wet’suwet’en Nation as a collective opposes the Coastal GasLink pipeline project, I support them. bclocalnews.com/opinion/reconciliation-comes-in-many-forms

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Economic success stories bust myths about mining and First Nations in B.C. Prince George Citizen | Article by Nelson Bennett | January 28, 2020

When it comes to international capital markets and mineral exploration, British Columbia has a perception problem - that the province is a risky place to invest because 110 per cent of its land base is claimed by First Nations. That's a perception Corinne McKay, secretary-treasurer of Nisga'a Lisims Government, said she encountered when she attended a mining symposium in London in 2018. princegeorgecitizen.com/news/local-news/economic-success-stories-bust-myths-about-mining-and-first- nations-in-b-c-1.24062974

Mining Hall of Fame awards gala welcomes four inductees The Northern Miner | Article by Trish Saywell | February 5, 2020

The Canadian Mining Hall of Fame welcomed four extraordinary individuals during the thirty-second annual induction ceremony in January at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Industry giants Jerry Asp, Alex Balogh, Hans Lundberg and Eberhard Scherkus were celebrated for their exemplary careers and key contributions to the mining industry. northernminer.com/people-in-mining/mining-hall-of-fame-awards-gala-welcomes-four-inductees/1003813639

UVic scholars receive national teaching honours Times Colonist | Article by Carla Wilson | February 20, 2020

A University of Victoria entrepreneurship professor and an associate professor in the university’s department of Indigenous education have been honoured as 2020 3M National Teaching Fellows. Edosdi Judy Thompson, a member of the Tahltan Nation, plans to use the fellowship to “focus on looking at mandatory Indigenous studies courses that are being taught across the country.” timescolonist.com/news/local/uvic-scholars-receive-national-teaching-honours-1.24081028

Entrepreneurship and Indigenous education professors win prestigious teaching awards UVic News | Article by Peter B. Gustavson School of Business | February 20, 2020

Edōsdi–Judy Thompson and Brent Mainprize have been named 2020 3M National Teaching Fellows, the fourth and fifth UVic scholars in six years to win the award. A professor of entrepreneurship who has helped boost the number of Indigenous-owned businesses across BC and a professor of Indigenous education who has made significant advancements in the indigenization of curriculum for BC students are the 13th and 14th University of Victoria scholars recognized with Canada’s most prestigious award for excellence in leadership and teaching. uvic.ca/news/topics/2020+3m-brent-mainprize+media-release

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First Movers: How Indigenous people in B.C. exercise their economic and political power will have massive implications

Article by Steven Threndyle | February 27, 2020 The following is an excerpt from the full article – to view the article visit the link at the end.

Above: Tahltan Central Government president Chad Norman Day. Photo: Adam Blasberg.

STANDING TALL IN TAHLTAN TERRITORY

Less than a week after the provincial government passed its United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples legislation, Chad Norman Day, president of the Tahltan Central Government in northern B.C., published a column in the Canadian Mining Journal. Day, 32, put renegade jade miners in the Cassiar Mountains on notice: thanks to UNDRIP, their damaging extraction methods would no longer be tolerated.

For six years, the Cassiar range in traditional Tahltan territory has been the location for Jade Fever, a popular Discovery Channel Canada reality series about the largely unregulated mining of nephrite, a type of jade. The show has drawn fortune seekers from around the world wanting to bust up and export the green rock to Malaysia for processing, polishing and profit.

According to Day, several of the offending parties have fled the province. “These are small operators, but they can do a lot of damage,” says the UVic law graduate. “And they don’t bring any economic advantage to the province or to our people. They’ll leave, and someone else will have to go and clean it up.”

That doesn’t mean Day and the Tahltan oppose mining, though. Far from it. Active in the B.C. industry, Day sits on the board of the Association for Mineral Exploration. In frequent op-eds for business and specialty publications, he makes the case for First Nations and mining companies working together.

89 TAHLTAN NATION IN THE NEWS

Before contact with Europeans, the Tahltan grew wealthy from the sale of obsidian, a lava-based volcanic rock that can easily be fashioned into weapons. Now they find themselves in the middle of what’s known as the Golden Triangle, their lands being staked and claimed not just by jade hunters but also by gold miners large and small. The upside is an unemployment rate close to zero—“anyone who wants a well-paying job can get one,” says Day, who is serving his third term as president after first being elected in 2014.

Like many B.C. First Nations, the Tahltan have never formally ratified a treaty with the provincial government. Fiercely protective of its vast unceded territory, comprising 11 percent of the province, the Nation is governed by rules and principles from the 1910 Declaration of the Tahltan Tribe, which gives it the right to negotiate nation-to- nation with Victoria and the feds.

The Tahltan, 1,000 of whose roughly 3,000 members live in and around their traditional lands, have influenced how some mining companies operate. After the 2014 tailings pond disaster at the Mount Polley copper and gold mine in the Cariboo, Day and his technical mining advisers met with Vancouver-based Imperial Metals Corp., owner of Mount Polley and Red Chris, a copper-gold mine in Tahltan territory. “We were able to make the environmental legislation more robust,” Day says.

With almost full employment and its members holding lucrative mineral exploration jobs, the Tahltan First Nation offers informed advice to other remote Indigenous communities looking to succeed financially and culturally. “Our governance model has both elected officials [a requirement of the Indian Act] and hereditary chiefs,” Day explains. “We have a lot of capacity that other First Nations don’t. When I started, there were four full-time staff, and most of the work was completed by Tahltan consultants in Vancouver.” Today, the Nation has 30 employees throughout its territory.

“Our form of governance structure and our experience with the mining industry are areas where I think we can help other First Nations in the province thrive,” Day says.

Remarkably, the Tahltan have more young women than men enrolled in their trades programs. “Last month, we had our first female millwright graduate,” Day notes. But for him, building capacity doesn’t mean hiring only First Nations members. He’s looking at the big picture, recruiting Indigenous and non-Indigenous professionals to mentor younger employees.

Read the full article at BC Business via: bcbusiness.ca/First-Movers-How-Indigenous-people-in-BC-exercise-their- economic-and-political-power-will-have-massive-implications

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‘We have a biodiversity crisis’: feds announce $175 million for new conservation projects

Article by Sarah Cox | February 19, 2019 The following is an excerpt from the full article – to view the article visit the link at the end.

Above: Canada's Environment Minister Catherine McKenna makes an announcement at Cattle Point in Oak Bay on Vancouver Island on August 19. Photo: Twitter.

TAHLTAN AIM TO PROTECT AREAS WITH SALMON, CARIBOU

[Environment Minister Catherine] McKenna said the funding includes $3.9 million for the Tahltan Central Government in northwest B.C. “to advance environmental stewardship and protection” through land-use planning and the identification of conservation opportunities.

“This region is home to many species at risk and significant habitat that provides a link to the Yellowstone to Yukon corridor, the Great Bear Rainforest and other protected areas,” McKenna told onlookers, whose applause drowned out the protesters’ shouts about everything from climate change to salmon farming to the Trans Mountain pipeline.

Christine Creyke, lands manger for the Tahltan Central Government, called McKenna’s announcement “very exciting.”

“Tahltan have been talking about these areas for decades now,” Creyke told The Narwhal. “With the amount of development that’s happening in our territory we really need to see some areas with protection.”

Creyke said land-use planning will involve three areas the Tahltan would like to protect, including the Shelsey area northwest of Telegraph Creek, which she described as “a very important area for cultural purposes but also as habitat for caribou and salmon.”

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Above: B.C.’s Mount Edziza Provincial Park is a protected area in Canada, under B.C.’s provincial parks program. Photo: Carol Linnitt / The Narwhal

“The spawning habitat for salmon is in one of the lakes close to the Shelsey and that was one of the drivers for choosing that area, because caribou and salmon are both species that are of big concern.”

Mount Edziza, which the Tahltan call Ice Mountain, is the second region. Mount Edziza is protected as a provincial park but Creyke said one key area, where junior mining exploration company Skeena Resources holds a mineral tenure, was left out.

“Over the past years we’ve been working with the province and the company on giving that area back to the Tahltan,” she said.

The third area is the Klappan-Sacred Headwaters region, the site of years of protests — which included the arrests of Tahltan Elders — over proposed industrial development in an area of great cultural, spiritual and environmental significance to the Tahltan.

In 2017, the Tahltan and the B.C. government agreed on a plan to protect the Sacred Headwaters, the birthplace of the salmon-bearing Nass, Skeena and Stikine rivers, from industrial development for a period of 20 years.

“Tahltan has voiced their concerns and has been very vocal about how we feel about these areas,” Creyke pointed out.

“This funding is really going to give us the opportunity to engage with the province and stakeholders on how we can move forward on protecting these areas.”

Read the full article at The Narwhal via: thenarwhal.ca/biodiversity-crisis-feds-announce-175-million-new- conservation-projects

92 TAHLTAN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – ANNUAL REPORT 2019/2020 TAHLTAN NATION IN THE NEWS

Below: George Dennis holding wooden walking Source: Mount Edziza Provincial Park, staff, ~2715-2459 years old found on surface. Archaeological Inventory of Ice Patches in the Top end of the staff is beveled. Ice patch and Vicinity of Obsidian Quarries on Kitsu Plateau Goat Mountain Peak in background. and Goat Mountain – Figure 13.

93 FIBRE-OPTIC CONNECTIVITY High-speed access for all HIGH-SPEED COMING TO ISKUT AND DEASE LAKE WITH FIBRE OPTIC TO TELEGRAPH CREEK IN THE FUTURE

In 2015 the Tahltan Central Government (TCG) The $13-million project will encompass a two-year and subsequently, the Tahltan Nation Development phased approach, establishing fibre optic connectivity Corporation (TNDC), negotiated access to four dark from Gitanyow to Dease Lake. Using the fibre obtained fibre strands as partial payment for BC Hydro to through BC Hydro, the project will see two new fibre utilize Tahltan lands for construction of the Northwest segments built along Highway 37: one from Gitanyow Transmission Line and the Iskut Extension. to Cranberry Junction and the other from Iskut to Dease Lake. In early July of 2019, TNDC was selected to receive funding from the federal and provincial governments In the future, the project will encompass last mile to bring fast, reliable and advanced fibre optic connectivity to communities and cellular communications. communications to communities located in The project also intends to provide a fibre optic link to Tahltan Territory. Telegraph Creek.

The project will also provide modern Internet connectivity with speeds of one gigabit per second to many anchor tenants such as schools, health centers and band offices, as well as businesses.

The federal funding agreement is in the final stage of approval, work is progressing and the project team is obtaining the various permits required to complete the construction of the fibre optic segments. Fibre optic communication will bring significant benefits, improving the delivery of health, safety, education and social services and fostering economic and infrastructure development, as well as environmental protection, in Tahltan Territory.

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Updates

91 — Tahltan Socio-Cultural Working Group (TSWG)

93 — 3 Nations Update

97 — UNDRIP and Update

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TSWG Update

Tahltan Socio-Cultural Working Group (TSWG) is TSWG 2019/20 PROJECTS the technical team for the leadership committee, consisting of 5 members, including each organization’s Strategic Planning: top manager and co-chairs. The co-chairs are Feddie Louie (Tahltan) and Pamela Millar (BC Ministry of In 2018/19, the TSWG, with input from leadership, Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation – MIRR). developed a 5-year strategic plan forging the path Project leads are brought on as needed. This working forward. The goal was to ensure each sector had group does not have any employees, all work is done working groups set up and operational. by short term contractors. Five working groups are operational, some functioning Feddie Louie The TSWG mandate is two-fold: more effectively than others, but everyone is working TWSG Lead toward improving the function of working groups. 1. Prepare Tahltan citizens, their communities and the Nation to Community-based working groups to advise participate in and benefit from individual sectors: economic development projects in • Governance their territory; and • Health/Socio Working Group • Education/Training Working Group 2. Protect and preserve Tahltan • Language and Culture culture and society from the potential negative effects of • Employment

rapid development. In the summer of 2018, the TSWG met with leadership and developed priorities and goals for the next five (5) TSWG 2019/20 at a glance: years and a plan to achieve these goals. This report Tahltan Socio/Cultural Working Group consists of 4 covers some of the accomplishments and challenges internal groups: from April 2019 to November 2019. • TSWG Leadership Committee – TCG (President Unity and Governance Chad Norman Day), Iskut Band Council (Chief President Chad and Feddie Louie lead this working Marie Quock), Tahltan Band Council (Chief Rick group; this supports the constitution framework McLean) and Province of BC (Stuart Gail) and development and any other governance initiatives co-ordinator (Feddie Louie) that may be needed for the Nation. This working • Technical team – 2 band managers, Shana Dennis group has a committee of members and leaders and Maggie Dennis and TCG Executive Director tasked with developing the Tahltan Constitution Calvin Carlick and co-chairs Framework, drafts are not available at this time. • Co-chairs – Feddie Louie (Tahltans) Pamela Millar (MIRR/Province representative) Tahltan Protocols Research The research for the Tahltan Protocol manual and • Project Leads or Directors – Language and Tahltan Competency Guide is complete. The next step Culture (Judy Thompson), Employment (Kody is to have the research used to provide a basis for Penner) Education (Freda Campbell) Culture drafting the manuals. A contractor will be a hired for and Heritage (Sandra Carlick), Health and Social this task. (Feddie Louie & Jodi Payne)

97 TAHLTAN SOCIO-CULTURAL WORKING GROUP UPDATE

Health and Socio Working • TSWG has a very good relationship with MIRR and Group (H&SWG) MIRR provides advocacy, communication and The H&SWG are leading the development of Stikine coordinates collaboration between TSWG and Primary Care Network (PCN). This project requires the other ministries as needed. Recently MIRR invited cooperation and collaboration of NHA and FNHA and MCFD to the table to meet with H&SWG to discuss the Health Directors from each of the communities. youth services in the Stikine region. PCN is a process of streamlining primary care services, Finances including services that are culturally significant, along with clinical services. This process, if done The $500,000 that funds TSWG annually, comes properly, will embrace the Tahltan vision of a holistic directly from MIRR. We negotiate the contract annually approach to health services such as physician, nursing, and must update the workplan regularly with the team. pharmaceuticals, mental health, traditional medicines The TSWG technical team, with input from leaders, and healing practises, on-the-land healing. project leads and sector working group determine the financial breakdown of the $500,000. Tahltan PCN will not only include clinical and traditional health practise The following is the budget breakdown for this year: • TSWG administration –$150,000 includes but we will also encompass a virtual coordinator, travel costs for team, AGA costs, component that provides eHealth special projects and admin 8%. services, medical information sharing • Language and Culture - $120,000 and data collection. The H&SWG • Education, Employment & Training – $90,000 has employed a contractor to work • Infrastructure – $50,000 with the TSWG Health lead and our • Health/Socio – $50,000 FNHA community hub coordinator • Community Revitalization – $40,000 to develop a path forward that will In March, we have found ourselves shifting our focus to support the communities in their fight against the enhance a holistic wellness model for threat of COVID-19. our communities and Nation. We are also in the process of drafting a report that Partnerships and relationship, TSWG works closely synthesizes the past seven years of TSWG. with its partners on some initiatives, as follows If you have any questions, please contact me at: • 3 Nations - Tahltan education K-12 has been [email protected] delegated to the 3 Nation technical team, to oversee and coordinate for the region. They have a formal agreement signed with SD 87 that outlines the path forward for K-12 education for Tahltan, Kaska and Tlingit children. • Tahltan have a good working relationship with several post secondary institutions that provide services in the region when requested.

98 TAHLTAN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – ANNUAL REPORT 2019/2020

3 Nations Update

The 3 Nations (Tahltan, Kaska Dena, Tlingit) Society was just finishing a solid year of activity, growth and partnership building when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in mid-March 2020. This resulted in the organization swiftly shifting its focus to keeping the residents of member communities safe and secure.

3 NATIONS GOVERNANCE STIKINE WHOLISTIC WORKING GROUP (SWWG) A registered Society with its own governance, operational and financial policies and procedures,the For the fiscal year 2019–20, each 3 Nations community 3 Nations Society manages the funding received was provided with $405,500 for SWWG programming. from Government and distributes it according to the 3 Most of the funding comes from the provincial Nations programs. The Board of Directors is composed government, the rest from the federal government. of elected Tahltan, Kaska Dena and Tlingit leaders. SWWG funding supports a wide range of activities The core funding covers the technical team, leadership under the categories Child and Family Wellness meetings, human resources, strategic planning and admin- Services, Land Based Supports, Traditional Ways, istration. In the Summer of 2019, the Society hired a full- Community Engagement, Community Staff Resources, time Executive Director, Jack Hicks, to add the managerial Men and Boys, and Capacity Development. capacity needed to sustain the growth in activity. The specific activities undertaken vary from community In March of 2020, the Board unanimously agreed to community across the 3 Nations, as each community to welcome the Kwadacha First Nation to the 3 has considerable decision-making authority over how Nations family. This means that all three Kaska Dena its SWWG funds are allocated. During the year steps communities in BC now sit at the 3 Nations table. were taken to ensure broad community input into the Kwadacha, which has a reputation as a progressive and design of SWWG activities in each member community. forward-thinking community, is also known as Fort Ware.

Left: Iskut Band Chief Marie Quock, TCG President Chad Norman Day, Premier of BC John Horgan, Tahltan Band Chief Rick McLean, 3 Nations Representative Feddie Louie.

99 SECTION TITLE

3 NATIONS SOCIETY WILDLIFE ANNUAL REPORT

3 Nations Society, through its relationship with the monitoring, Tseneglode Woodland Caribou Project, Government of British Columbia (BC), continues to Klappan Moose Composition Survey, and Morel support each Nation’s Guardian Program. In addition, 3 Mushroom Monitoring and Compliance projects. Nations Society is supporting coordination, monitoring, and capacity development between programs through In 2020, collectively the 3 Nations and BC are supporting the work of the 3 Nations Guardian Coordinator, community-based moose management plans for the Tanya Ball. This has included supporting additional Atlin, Klappan, and Liard Basin moose populations. employment for seasonal guardians, continued training, The plans are being framed to reflect the recent and exchange trips between Nation Guardian Programs. advancements in legislation, policy, and consent-based There are plans for more continued coordination this decision-making; information sharing and indigenous year, with a focus on greater coordination, including intellectual ownership; and each government’s with BC, on monitoring licensed hunters and other information, policies, and management requirements recreational land users in the collective territories. for moose management.

The 3 Nations Society and BC have also been supporting Finally, 3 Nations Society and BC are working co-governance projects focused on improving towards community engagement this year when wildlife management. Information sharing agreement the communities allow these activities to occur templates are under development to facilitate the safely based on their COVID-19 requirements. As the sharing of data and incorporation of traditional practices, current funding relationship with BC is in its final year, laws and local knowledge into wildlife management community direction is needed to support the work decision making. Other projects include First Nation into the future. Further information on how you can be laws revitalization; environmental monitoring; and involved will be provided soon. back country monitoring of licensed hunters. Tahltan led projects on Land and Resources Policy Framework, wildlife immobilization and handling, environmental

100 TAHLTAN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – ANNUAL REPORT 2019/2020

WILDLIFE-LED PROJECTS INCLUDED THE GUARDIANS' KLAPPAN MOOSE COMPOSITION SURVEY IN DECEMBER 2019

Tahltan Lands and Wildlife Departments are involved as • Wildlife led projects included the guardian Klappan representatives in the 3 Nations – BC Wildlife Initiatives. Moose Composition Survey in December 2019. Both departments are represented on the Governance Guardians and the Wildlife Department led the Team, Technical Working Group, and Guardian Program planning and delivery of the moose survey working and work collaboratively on delivering projects with moose biologists from the Government of important to Tahltan, 3 Nations, and BC. Funding British Columbia-Skeena Region. The preliminary through this relationship has supported the Guardian outcomes of the survey were 351 moose observed Program, Tahltan land and resource policy development, with 94 bulls, 157 cows, 46 calves classified and licensed hunter monitoring, and continued monitoring 4 unclassified during the survey. There were 44 of land and wildlife activities in the territory. groups of a cow with a calf, and 1 group of cows with twin calves. Some highlights include: • The Tseneglode Woodland Caribou Project is • The Morel Mushroom Monitoring and Compliance active with 7 collared caribou and 3 collared Project was delivered last summer by the two caribou mortalities since April 2019. An additional departments and guardian program. Its purpose 20 collars were to be deployed by the Guardians was to manage, monitor, distribute, and regulate to and BC in March 2020, but the COVID-19 safety the extent possible, both non Tahltan and Tahltan restrictions halted the project. It is planned to morel mushroom (Morchella spp.) harvesters, and deploy the collars in December 2020 if safety buyers in the Alkali Lake Fire, culturally important restrictions allow it. areas, and in the Nation. • Other 3 Nations-BC funded projects include Stikine The Tahltan Lands and Wildlife Departments Mountain Goat Total Count Survey and Jade worked with Tahltan Governments, community Boulder Road Stone’s Sheep Project. members, Elders, and citizens to identify areas of managed access by mushroom buyers and harvesters. The focus was to restrict sensitive areas from further disturbance; identify staging and camping areas to concentrate the commercial activities; and identify areas of restricted, limited, and open motor vehicle access.

Outcomes of the project included a Tahltan Harvester Orientation Package; weekly systematic monitoring surveys with daily reporting by the guardians to the department directors; establishing waste management sites, environmental monitoring, and garbage pickup; and development of a Tahltan Non-Timber Resources Permit for buyers and harvesters which included information on permit details, personal contact information, navigation and communications, harvest information, and terms and conditions.

101 3 NATIONS UPDATE

PREMIER’S VISIT TO LOWER POST PANDEMIC RESPONSE

A highlight of the year was Premier John Horgan’s visit to Lower Post As soon as the danger posed to our communities by the COVID-19 on October 1st, 2019. Premier Horgan came to attend important pandemic became apparent, the Board passed a motion directing the community conversations about the next steps of reconciliation. staff to take immediate action. The result was the rapid development of the 3 Nations Pandemic Plan (3nations.org/covid-19-pandemic-plan), The meetings in Lower Post were part of a 2018 commitment to with four primary goals: visit the community, along with the 3 Nations, and to discuss the next steps toward working with the 3 Nations, the Province and 1 . Prevent the arrival of the virus and, if required, limit the Government of Canada to tear down and replace the former community spread; residential school building in Lower Post. 2 . Protect and minimize health impacts to our community members at greater risk from COVID-19; “For generations, the former residential school has brought so much pain to the community in Lower Post. It is unacceptable that this 3 . Strengthen the public health measures needed to building remains today as the community’s administration building,” respond to and manage COVID-19; and, said Premier Horgan. “I was honoured to be invited to hear the concerns 4 . Reduce the social and economic impacts of the and possible solutions from the Nations and front-line workers, and our pandemic on our communities. government will work with federal government partners to replace the building with something that we can all be proud of.” A 3 Nations Regional Emergency Operations Centre was established, with Feddie Louie as Director and Jody Nishima as Deputy Director. The Premier held individual meetings with the leaders of each They worked closely with the leaders in all 3 Nations communities to of the 3 Nations. activate Emergency Management Committees in each community. They also established a Tahltan COVID-19 Primary Care Integration “This was the first time a Premier has Group which brings together doctors (including Dr. Jaco Fourie, the come to the far north and demonstrated Northern Health Authority's Northwest medical director), nurses, the First Nations Health Authority, and others to share information and such willingness to learn and share coordinate the pandemic response across the region. This forum has powerful moments with us as leaders and been tremendously effective.

communities,” said TCG President Chad At the time of writing there has not been a confirmed case of COVID- Norman Day. “To walk the halls of that 19 in any 3 Nations community. By staying home as much as possible and practicing physical distancing when outside of our households, former residential school, and to hear we have protected the lives of our Elders and most vulnerable. The from the former students themselves, is last ten weeks have been hard on all of us but it is still too early to let our guard down. We may be tired but the virus is not. As Provincial very difficult. To do so walking side by health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry pointed out, “'We've never had a side as 3 Nation leaders with the Premier pandemic in recorded history that has not had a second wave.” shows how far we have all come. This FURTHER INFORMATION was a powerful day, but there is work to do, and we will be relentless until that For more information, on the 3 Nations Society, visit our website at: 3nations.org. We are also on Facebook. building is torn down and there is a new building in its place that symbolizes the words of reconciliation we heard today.”

102 TAHLTAN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – ANNUAL REPORT 2019/2020

UNDRIP AND UPDATE UNDRIP in British Columbia: A much-needed path for First Nations and industry

Chad Norman Day and Kendra Johnston | Contributed to The Globe and Mail | Published October 25, 2019

Right: Premier John Horgan holds a press conference to announce Indigenous human rights will be recognized in B.C. with new legislation during a press conference at the provincial Legislature in Victoria, on Oct. 24, 2019.

Photo: Chad Hipolito /The Canadian Press.

Chad Norman Day is president of The principles of UNDRIP are already being embraced the Tahltan Central Government. and practised by much of the B.C. mineral exploration and development industry. Increasingly, industry and Kendra Johnston is the president First Nations are creating the necessary tools and and CEO of the Association for pathways to obtain free, prior and informed consent where resource development projects are being Mineral Exploration BC. proposed. There is a growing understanding that the path to a successful project is to have clear, transparent Almost a century before anyone had conceived of and respectful discussions regarding Indigenous title the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of and rights and proposed project plans as early as Indigenous People (UNDRIP), there was the 1910 possible in the exploration process. Declaration of the Tahltan Tribe. It emphasized that those who wished to do business in Tahltan Territory Collaborative decision-making is not a scary way of would be required to work with the Tahltan Nation doing business in Tahltan Territory. In fact, it is quite the and show proper respect for its citizens, territory opposite. Tahltan governments and corporations often and rights. The 1910 Declaration was a progressive, sign agreements that ensure reasonable efforts are inclusive path to harmonious and mutually beneficial made to communicate with the Tahltan people, include relations between the Tahltan and industry. them in economic opportunities through employment and contracting and implement distinct environmental This, in part, reflects what was advanced Thursday policies and standards created by a team of Tahltan by the B.C. government, in partnership with B.C. First experts. When the Tahltan Nation and exploration and Nations, that will see, for the first time at the provincial mining industry work together in a productive and level, UNDRIP principles reflected in our laws. respectful manner, with an understanding of Tahltan culture, governance and decision-making, the outcomes have been positive for all stakeholders.

103 UNITED NATIONS DECLARATION ON THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES UPDATE

The proposed UNDRIP legislation provides an For example, the BC Regional Mining Alliance – a opportunity to build upon and reproduce these northwest partnership between Indigenous groups, elements of success exemplified by the B.C. the province and the mining industry – which the mineral exploration industry and the Tahltan Nation. Tahltan and Nisga’a Nations are part of, took the pro-active step to work the UN declaration into its The reality is that patterns of litigation and conflict engagement practices two years ago. It is a good regarding the title and rights of First Nations peoples example of how incorporating respect for rights in have stifled investment, job growth and collaborative policies and practices can work for First Nations and work toward sustainable protection of our environment. industry to create an environment that promotes By working together, we can unlock the vast resource positive relations even further. potential of British Columbia in a way that ensures sustainable, mutual benefits for all British Columbians We have had an opportunity to be briefed on the draft and respects the rights of its First Nations peoples. legislation as part of the province’s engagement This is the better way forward for everyone. process. We are optimistic that this legislation will lead to further clarity and certainty for investment in B.C. The UN declaration embodies principles that support and reaffirm the province as a world-class destination and advance the goal of reconciliation in Canada’s for business and economic development. This will Constitution. Government has an important role to play ultimately benefit all British Columbians, by fostering in setting our province on a course toward meaningful predictability, good-paying jobs and opportunities, reconciliation grounded in these principles. To this end, while respecting the rights of Indigenous peoples. the legislation being introduced will bring B.C. laws into harmony with the UN declaration, including an action Many companies investing in B.C. already plan to be developed in partnership with First Nations understand that collaborative relationships with and through dialogue with the B.C. business community First Nations governments are creating improved and all British Columbians. investment certainty. This legislation will support further collaborative opportunities and enable For more than 100 years, the Association for Mineral successful partnerships between First Nations Exploration (AME) has been the voice of the industry governments and industry. in B.C. To succeed, the industry must recognize and respect the unique jurisdictions and rights of Indigenous peoples in the province and throughout the world. Many exploration companies have already realized that including First Nations in the decision-making process has great benefits, including local knowledge of the land, a local work force and a passion for building economic capacity while being good stewards of the land.

104 TAHLTAN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – ANNUAL REPORT 2019/2020 British Columbia becomes first province to implement UN Indigenous rights declaration

WHAT IS THE UN DECLARATION? WHICH LAWS WILL BE CHANGED FIRST?

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Indigenous peoples and the Province are working in partnership (UNDRIP) is an international set of standards to protect the rights of to design a plan to move forward. Together, we will consult with Indigenous peoples. It outlines rights in all areas of life – like human Indigenous communities on which B.C. laws to change first to rights, education, and health. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission align with the UN Declaration. Local government, the public and called for the UN Declaration to be used as a framework for moving other stakeholders will be engaged as the plan is developed. Every toward true and lasting reconciliation. minister in the provincial government has been mandated to review laws and policies to make sure they align with the UN Declaration. WHY IS BRITISH COLUMBIA IMPLEMENTING THE This work will continue. UN DECLARATION? WHAT WILL IT LOOK LIKE TO IMPLEMENT THE Implementing the UN Declaration will help Indigenous peoples, NEW B.C. LAW? industry, communities and government work together. Together, we can build a stronger B.C., where no one gets left behind. Working together means a stronger B.C. for everyone. By recognizing Indigenous rights, we set a clear path forward, help heal historic Over time, the new law can help: wrongs and create new opportunities. This approach has already been put into action in B.C. For example: • Increase the number of Indigenous students who graduate from high school and go on to postsecondary education. Child welfare: B.C. recognizes Indigenous peoples’ right to keep • Raise the standard of living, so Indigenous families don’t Indigenous children with their families and in their communities have to live in poverty. where they belong. The government is working, in partnership, to change the child welfare system. This shift aligns with the UN • Recognize Indigenous peoples’ inherent rights, interests Declaration, which speaks to Indigenous peoples’ right to self- and voices. determination, including caring for their children. • End the epidemic of Indigenous children in government care. Environmental assessment: B.C. supports Indigenous peoples’ right The B.C. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act will to take part in decisions about their lands, territories and resources help create stronger and healthier communities, good jobs and as reflected in the UN Declaration and supported by many court economic growth. decisions. New environmental assessment legislation provides clear roles for Indigenous peoples in the environment assessment process IS BRITISH COLUMBIA THE FIRST PROVINCE TO and decision-makings on major projects in B.C. PASS A LAW ON THE UN DECLARATION? WHAT IS FREE, PRIOR AND INFORMED Yes, B.C. is the first province to put the UN Declaration into action CONSENT? through legislation and recognize Indigenous peoples’ human rights in B.C. law. These inherent rights are protected in Canada’s Free, prior and informed consent recognizes Indigenous peoples’ constitution (section 35) and recognized in court decision after court rights, interests and voices. It means early, deep and meaningful decision. Other places in Canada have tabled similar legislation, but involvement of Indigenous peoples on matters that affect their peoples, they have not yet been passed. communities and territories. Instead of uncertainty and conflict, we can work together to build a stronger B.C., with more opportunities for Indigenous peoples, B.C. businesses, communities and families.

105 SECTION TITLE

106 TAHLTAN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – ANNUAL REPORT 2019/2020

Staff & Contacts

# LOCATION DEPARTMENTS & TITLES NAME EMAIL

Executive

1 Smithers President Chad Day [email protected]

2 Prince George Vice President Ken Edzerza [email protected]

3 Smithers Sectretary Treasuerer Adrian Carlick [email protected]

Board of Directors

1 Telegraph Creek Carlick Alice Hamlin [email protected]

2 Iskut Cawtoonma Jodi Payne [email protected]

3 Edmonton Eth’eni Angela Sladen [email protected]

4 Telkwa Etzenlee Ann M. Ball [email protected]

5 Terrace Good-za-ma Carmen McPhee [email protected]

6 Wembley, AB Quock (Dekama) Arlene Corcoran [email protected]

7 Telegraph Creek Shoe-Kawk/Howd-A-Ghtte (Shukak) Lee Marion [email protected]

8 Dease Lake Simgaldtada (Ts'imgalt‘ēde) Kimberley S. Marion [email protected]

9 Telegraph Creek Stikine Claw/Thicke Melva Quock [email protected]

10 Terrace Thud ga Sandra Marion [email protected]

Elders Council Representative

1 Whitehorse Elders Council Chair Carl Carpentier [email protected]

107 STAFF & CONTACTS

# LOCATION DEPARTMENTS & TITLES NAME EMAIL

Administration/Staff

1 Dease Lake Office Assistant Shirley Nehass [email protected]

2 Dease Lake Wildlife Director Lance Nagwan [email protected]

3 Dease Lake Wildlife Guardian Jarett Quock [email protected]

4 Dease Lake Wildlife Guardian Clements Brace [email protected]

5 Dease Lake Fisheries Director Cheri Frocklage [email protected]

6 Dease Lake Education & Training Director Freda Campbell [email protected]

7 Dease Lake Finance Senior Clerk Cindy Dennis [email protected]

8 Dease Lake Events Manager Roxanne Ball [email protected]

9 Iskut Employment Assistance Services Coordinator Darcie Philana Louie [email protected]

10 Telegraph Creek Fisheries Manager Kerry Carlick [email protected]

11 Terrace Culture & Heritage Director Sandra Marion [email protected]

12 Terrace Executive Director Calvin Carlick [email protected]

13 Smithers Contracting & Business Development Director Adrian Carlick [email protected]

14 Smithers Lands Director [Interim] Nalaine Morin [email protected]

15 Smithers Membership & Genealogy Director Shannon Frank [email protected]

16 Prince George Chief Financial Officer Michael Shaker [email protected]

17 Prince George SER Coordinator Shawn Ducharme [email protected]

18 Vancouver Communications Director Gordon Infanti [email protected]

19 Vancouver Communications Coordinator Adam Amir [email protected]

20 Vancouver Employment Director Kody Penner [email protected]

108 TCG Organizational Chart

TAHLTAN CENTRAL EXECUTIVE OPERATIONS GOVERNMENT BOARD COMMITTEE

FAMIY REPRESENTATIES PRESIDENT ICE PRESIDENT SECRETARY TREASURER EECUTIE DIRECTOR

Carlick Governance Committee Admin

Eth’eni HR Committee Employment

Etenlee Finance Committee Culture Heritage

Quock (Dekama) Elders Council Communications Good-a-ma

Youth Council Genealogy Cawtoonma Membership

Finance Committee Simgaldtada (Ts’imgalteda) ands Education THREAT (Tahltan Heritage Resources Shoe Kawk/Howd-A-Ghtte Training Committee Environmental Assessment Team) (Shukak)

Travel Claims Committee Education Training Stikine Claw/Thicke

Finance Thud ga

Dease ake Contracting Business Community Director Development

Protocol Fisheries

Tahltan Nation ildlife Development Corporation Guardians

Tahltan Socio-Cultural orking Group

3 Nations

109 SECTION TITLE

110 ANNUAL REPORT 2020

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