______2019–2020 ANNUAL REPORT What’s inside 1. Chief & Council Election Momentous Events Collaboration Challenges 5. Story: Gathering of Knowledge 6. Community Engagement Community Plan 8. Health Services Head Start Youth Program Food Systems Community Garden Kitselas Canyon 14. Community Services Language Education Social Development 17. Housing, Public Works, & Infrastructure Housing ‘The Lighthouse’ 20. Employment & Training Highlights Expanded Programs What’s Next 30. Wai Wah Environmental 35. Kitselas Forestry Workplan Fibre Supply 24. Story: 5,000-Year-Old Artifacts Partners Forest Licenses Services 26. Lands & Resources 37. Treaty Reserve Lands Management 32. Kitselas Development Negotiations Consultation & Engagement Profits Research Resource Stewardship New Employees Kitselas Constitution Emergency Response Division Land Leases Specific Claims Community Wellness Working Group Business Activities 40. Finance Working with and for our membership Two momentous events held in Kitselas Message from Kitselas Council last year Busy Election Elders Gathering of Knowledge The June 2019 election brought some The Chief Councillor position and a This was a once-in-a-lifetime changes to leadership for Kitselas. Councillor position was won by the chance for more than 40 Kitselas Elders from all over Canada to In the election, seven people were same person. The Electoral Officer gather on our home territory seeking the Chief Councillor position unilaterally decided that the Councillor and share stories. The event and 35 people were seeking a position would remain rather than was educational and emotional councillor seat. being given to the next candidate. for all those who participated. This new Council entered the year with A total of 201 votes were cast. Considering the loss of several a vision of aligning all departments with Elders this past year – and with community desires and goals. them, their experiences, wisdom, and knowledge of our culture and traditions – this gathering was more important than ever. $1.2 million for Kitselas Training In January 2020, Kitselas hosted Election Results Melanie Mark, the Minister of Advanced Education, Skills Chief Councillor & Training. While here, she • Judy Gerow - 66 votes announced provincial funding of $7.5 million for six Indigenous Councillors training programs. Of that • Cyril (CJ) Bennett-Nabess - 89 votes $7.5 million, more than $1.2 • Clarisa Spencer - 59 votes million went to the Kitselas Community Led Apprenticeship • Lynn Parker - 56 votes Development Program (KCAD) • Harold Lloyd Sr - 52 votes offered and developed by Kitselas’ Employment & Training • Ian Chad Gerow - 51 votes department.

Kitselas Annual Report 2019/20 1 Collaboration is Key as a group and working together, rather than independently. The With Members Alliance includes representatives from Kitselas, Kitsumkalum, Kitkatla, Haisla, Everything we do is for the benefit of Laxgalts’ap, Gingolx, Gitwinksihlkw, our members, so getting your input, Gitlaxdamix and Gitanyow Nations. ideas and feedback is key. We also maintain positive relationships A couple years ago, we created the with local municipalities and regional Community Engagement Coordinator districts. position. The work completed in this role by Geneva Mason has been With Partners and Proponents important. For this reason, we extended her initial one-year contract and she We want our nation to be independent is still in the position now. Geneva’s and financially stable. And we want duties include facilitating community our members to be independent and conversations - for example, leading financially stable too. the Community Plan process, which has Our hope is for Kitselas joint venture given us essential information about partnerships, and nation-owned what members think, need, and want. business entities to make money, and Other examples of how Kitselas collects contribute to employment and training and uses feedback from members for our members. We want to access include the Kitselas Land Use Plan, and economic opportunities related to the the Custom Election and Community LNG Canada and Coastal Gas Link Investment Policy working groups. projects happening in and near Kitselas Traditional Territory. With Local Governments Our business arm, Kitselas Kitselas continues to collaborate Development Corporation (KDC), with other First Nations through spearheads our relationships with the Northern First Nations Alliance. project proponents, contractors and Through this group, the Nations business partners. And last year we work together to advocate for, and made several changes to strengthen come up with solutions for common its position. We hired a new General social issues such as homelessness, Manager, who has extensive experience addictions, health and wellness, in the pipeline industry. Together, with youth, and employment and training. our expanded board of directors, he They also aim to boost the economic reviewed and revised all partnership situation of all Nations by advocating agreements Kitselas had in place.

Kitselas Annual Report 2019/20 2 Northern First Nations Alliance (NFNA) meeting hosted in September 2019 by Haisla Nation in Kitamaat Village.

We met with current and potential With Other Departments Through the Employment & Training partners to discuss the future of our department, members acquired relationships. Based on the review and Relationships within our organization are work experience by building a discussions, we cancelled all agreements also key. The more we work together, the greenhouse, a potato garden not serving Kitselas, and strengthened better we can serve members. and community garden boxes. those that were. Through communications and Health runs the gardens and feeds The new manager of KDC is also pursuing collaboration, we can avoid duplication community members with the food new relationships and new potential of services and offer members more grown. business ventures for Kitselas. He’s comprehensive and holistic services. Meanwhile, our youth program working on creating Kitselas-owned Here’s one example of departments participants and kids from entities that match the strengths of our working together for the benefit of our Community Services’ Head Start members and our Nation, with business members. program, are learning how to grow and contracting opportunities in the area. The Employment & Training, Health and and process food in the garden. In our discussions with business partners, Housing, Public Works & Infrastructure The Lands & Resources department we explored unserved areas of work that departments collaborated to develop our initially spearheaded the garden Kitselas could tap into. community gardens. projects, and funded them. This includes ideas like starting a delivery Another example is the Lands & service that transports workers laundry, to “We know by working together we can have the Resources department applying for and from work camps. funding to buy a canoe for the youth greatest impact.” program.

Kitselas Annual Report 2019/20 3 who already live here, as well as those who want to live here. On top of that, many of our housing units require minor and major repairs. This past year, the Kitselas Housing department conducted extensive research Significant Challenges from home. Today, still, the Kitselas on the issue. They also planned and applied for funding to construct a 40-unit Global Pandemic Administration Building is closed to the public and staff are doing their best to housing complex, to be built in Gitaus. At the end of the fiscal year, in March fulfill their duties. The transition, however, Kitselas’ long-term vision also includes 2020, Covid-19 took over the world. is still taking place as we aim to put building housing off-reserve, on Kitselas- The pandemic was and still is scary – technology and processes in place to keep owned land - potentially in Thornhill. especially for anyone with health issues. departments, staff and council members Staff Vacancies Economically and operationally, the connected and able to do their work. pandemic has stalled activities of all Kitselas continues to struggle with a countries, governments and organizations, “Our Emergency Operations lack of managers in some areas of the Administration department. We have not including Kitselas. It’s been extremely Centre has done everything difficult for everyone in our community and had someone serving in the top position they can when it comes to organization. for almost three years. This has been very informing our members difficult for everyone in the organization. We continue to do everything possible about Covid-10. The rest is up to support our members, keep our Councillors have had to step out of their community safe and informed; and operate to individual members to stay governance roles and get more involved and manage the Nation and our business safe and follow the rules.” operationally. Similarly, other senior staff entities. Inevitably, many activities planned have had to take on extra duties. Without a Senior Administrator, decision-making in for 2020 had to be cancelled or delayed. Housing Shortage many areas has stalled. While Kitselas did Luckily, Kitselas had created an Emergency An ongoing problem for Kitselas members receive applications for the head position, Services Division, in the spring of 2020, is lack of housing – on and off-reserve – no one has yet been chosen for the role. just before Covid-19 arrived. When the in Gitaus, Kulspai, Terrace, Thornhill and Kitselas also hasn’t had a Health Director pandemic hit, Emergency Services beyond. Off-reserve rents in the local area for a couple years, nor a Home and Coordinator, Ken McDames Jr., started have increased dramatically in the past Community Health nurse. As a result, Geri collaborating immediately with staff from few years. Vacancy is also low, as more Inkster has been in the role of interim Health, forming the Emergency Operations workers move to the area seeking places to Health Manager. But gaps still remain in the Centre (EOC). They have done an excellent live. This has made it extremely difficult for department. job. Kitselas members, and many others living Both of these vacant positions have put Similar to other Nations, we closed our in the region, to find and keep affordable extra pressure and added to the workload reserves to visitors. Also similar to other places to live. of the Kitselas Council and many staff, and businesses and organizations around On reserve, we do not have enough units to we are working to resolve this. the world, Kitselas staff started working house and accommodate all our members

Kitselas Annual Report 2019/20 4 “We need to know what happened in the past. We need to know about traumas. June 3-7, 2019 in Gitaus We need to know about losses. We need to know about the sad things as well as the happy things, so that we don’t let it happen again. So that we learn to move on.“ ELDERS GATHERING OF KNOWLEDGE - Judy Gerow, For five days, in June 2019, Kitselas culture. The format of sharing stories Kitselas Chief Councillor hosted the first ever Elders Gathering of follows in the tradition of passing Knowledge. From June 3 to 7, Kitselas knowledge down orally. Elders and many community members Each day had a different theme such as gathered in Gitaus, on Tsimshian Kitselas identity, reconciliation, treaty From June 28, 2019 Terrace Standard newspaper article Territory, to connect with each other, and and others. ‘Kitselas holds first Elder knowledge sharing event’ Kitselas culture and history. Kitselas has lost many of its Elders More than 40 Elders – some travelling over the last few years, and with it, Christopher Harrison, 67, hadn’t been all the way across the country – their experiences and wisdom. So this back in his traditional territory for 16 attended the gathering and shared their conference was timely. years. He travelled from Nova Scotia wisdom and stories. Some stories were Funding from Indigenous Services with his sister to take part in the five-day filled with happy memories and joy. Canada allowed Kitselas to host the discussions. Others, surrounding residential school conference and pay for travel and His father, whose mother is Effie Bolton, experiences and other effects of our accommodation for all the Elders who was half Kitselas and half British. country’s colonial past, were painful and attended. Because of past trauma and racial emotional. Participants spent the last day of the violence, Harrison says his father never The intent of the conference was to conference at the Canyon and even got told his children about their heritage. collect the Elders’ memories – to relive, to enjoy Y’aus Hoon (burning fish on fire). “It was never spoken of or told to us,” experience and help preserve Kitselas Harrison says. “It was upsetting for our dad… I think he got into a lot of fights over being a ‘half Indian’. There were a lot of battles for him, and he didn’t want anything to do with it.” Now his family is embracing their cultural ties. Harrison says he is grateful for what he has learned since coming back to Kitselas. “It means I get to come home,” he says.

Kitselas Annual Report 2019/20 5 “As the Community Engagement Coordinator, Additional duties are also tasked from Council I coordinate between Kitselas Council, our motions or requested by department directors. Informing & Listening People, and senior staff. I coordinate, facilitate, Throughout 2019 and part of 2020, I also and implement community sessions, to helped with some communications duties collect information in a manner that is holistic while the Communications Officer was on and strategic in approach and includes leave. I continued the Kitselas Connects meaningful community input. Newsletter, participated in website training, Community My main duties are to help departments with and also helped manage the Kitselas hosting workshops, meetings, and virtual Administration Facebook page. As part of sessions; conduct surveys; mail packages; managing the Administration Facebook page, Engagement send emails, and all in all, ensure Kitselas I organized a team of frontline staff from each membership is notified of all events. department to help manage and post updated I ensure that communications and all information that pertains to each department. The Community Engagement opportunities to provide feedback and I believe Kitselas is living a dream we cannot Coordinator position was created responses are inclusive for all Kitselas see yet! Let’s keep shooting for the stars and two years ago to help facilitate membership. In my position, I worked closely work together to provide our people the best communications and engagement with the Kitselas Communications Officer and future!” with Kitselas members. Geneva Mason, IT Assistant, who helps maintain our website. The Community Engagement Community Engagement Coordinator, Geneva Mason, also Coordinator facilitates the Kitselas community planning process. Kitselas is now in the fourth planning and engagement phase of the Comprehensive Community Plan. The second phase of engagement was completed in November 2019, and the third phase was completed in June 2020. At the end of each phase, members are provided with a summary of the results of the previous engagement Planning for Success culture and traditions - it can help individual First Nations make a positive phase. These are available on the Comprehensive Community Planning difference in addressing the specific Kitselas website. is an important tool on the road to self- issues of their own communities. governance and building capacity in First Nations communities. Many First Nations communities across Western Canada are engaged Each community requires a unique approach in planning and are experiencing great to planning that can be adapted to their success.

Kitselas Annual Report 2019/20 6 Kitselas Annual Report 2019/20 7 Kitselas Elders developed the Kitselas health philosophy: Ski’un da taxnil gyet dm wila aama nii sgs diduulsn Teach all the people how to take care of themselves, their bodies and their way of living.

Services and Programs Meet Our Team

Health Services ❖❖ Head Start (children 2.5 to 5 years) Our staff at this time consists of: ❖❖ Parent Connection group for new or Geri Inkster Health Manager Our goal is ‘to look after our own’ by expecting parents incorporating our cultural philosophy into Jada Seymour Community Health ❖❖ Kermode Friendship Society’s Circle of Representative all aspects of Kitselas health services. As Life program for at-risk new or expecting Amanda Low Health Assistant service providers we provide information mothers and assistance so that families and ❖❖ Speech & Language services (ages 0 to 5) Gerald Nyce Youth Coordinator individuals can make informed decisions ❖❖ One-on-One confidential Drop-In Wilfred Bennett Jr. Cultural Coordinator Information Sessions for: about their health care needs and plan Darren Bolton Cultural Tour Guide • Birth control education Anne Head Start Early to meet those needs. Pregnancy/HIV and STI testing • Wright-Moore Childhood Educator ❖❖ We offer programs to all members. • Counselling referrals Programs are open and honest, and ❖❖ Communicable Disease program, including Vernon Dudoward Head Start Bus Driver/ offer traditional and cultural activities, needle exchange and condom programs Responsible Adult which is a priority as it promotes ❖❖ Alcohol and drug abuse programs Maude Bennett Community Wellness community pride and wellness. ❖❖ First Nations Action and Support Team Worker (On Leave) (FAST) to support persons at-risk and ❖❖ We value our knowledge keepers provide support during crises (eg. suicide) Patsy Drummond Food Systems and our staff have made our culture ❖❖ Referrals to counselling for individuals and Coordinator and traditions a priority in all dealings families (non-addiction) Toby Hilton Nurse Practitioner ❖ Men’s support and cultural group with our community members. Health ❖ (contractor) from Northern Health employees practice ethics where ❖❖ Cancer awareness and support programs the clients can maintain control over ❖❖ Youth wellness programs and activities at the Youth Centre, at camps, and on outings We had a busy year with many the health of themselves and their ❖ Diabetes education and nutrition support changes. At the end of the fiscal families. We run many programs ❖ ❖❖ Good Food Box program and kitchen year we were in the process of with other Kitselas departments. We ❖❖ Mobile Nurse Practitioner and Community hiring a community health nurse. also have partnerships and funding Health nurse (hiring soon) We are also looking at having agreements with many different ❖❖ Home and Community Care a community wellness worker organizations and agencies. ❖❖ Health and wellness education working with us. ❖❖ Transportation services

Kitselas Annual Report 2019/20 8 New this year! An exciting milestone this year was buying a canoe for the youth Memorandum of stewardship program. We also bought a trailer, paddles, life jackets and Understanding other supplies. The Kitselas Lands & Resources department received the The Kitselas Band Council majority of the funding from the Tides Canada Initiative Society and the has signed a memorandum of Health department gave additional funding to cover other costs. understanding with Kermode Friendship Society’s Circle of Life Kitselas Elders blessed the canoe in a special ceremony. program. This program offers The canoe is used regularly. parenting outreach and support to women of child-bearing age who are at risk of substance abuse during pregnancy.

Right to Play A new partner is the federally funded Right to Play Program. This is a great resource of ideas and support for activities for our youth. We are very proud of the organizers and youth attending these groups and all that they have accomplished.

Kitselas Annual Report 2019/20 9 Our Year in Numbers Head Start Learning through Play and Connection Looking Forward Kitselas Head Start is a fully licensed preschool Health Goals for 2020/21 with classes open for children two and a half to five years of age. Head Start follows the school Child and Youth year from September to June. ❖ Infant/Toddler Play Group ❖ The program’s curriculum is guided by the ❖❖ Traditional Parenting (Parent Led) Tsimshian calendar and the six components of Mental Health and Addictions Aboriginal Head Start; Culture and Language, ❖❖ Promote traditions and culture Education, Health Promotion, Nutrition, Social through health programs Support, and Parent Involvement. ❖❖ Anxiety and depression support The children go on many outings with the Head ❖❖ Promotion of Dudes Club and Start Early Childhood Educator Anne Wright- 7 13 women’s group Moore to broaden their life experience. Some ADULTS REFERRALS ❖❖ Continue and expand food security IMMUNIZED FOR STD of the most valuable experiences are visits with TESTING programs (Flu shot) the Elders. Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention The children learned and practiced a song ❖❖ Dental strategy for 0 - 5 3 2 114 ❖❖ Diabetic strategy In Sm’algyax: called Nda Wila Waalsm (Hello ❖❖ Nutrition focus Song), They performed it at our first Kitselas COMMUNICABLE TB TAXI TRIPS Elders Gathering Conference in June 2019. The DISEASE PROGRAM for travel to Communicable Disease Control TREATMENTS TREATMENTS health services Elders, parents and community members were ❖❖ Review pandemic plan so excited to see our young one’s drum and sing Primary Health Care in Sm’algyax. Reach out to community using social The children were also invited by Youth 189 63 600 media and pamphlets outlining services Coordinator Gerald Nyce and the Greenhouse, available in our health center and COUNSELLING COUNSELLING CONDOMS Food Systems Coordinator Patsy Drummond to SESSIONS REFERRALS DISTRIBUTED through our regional health services DELIVERED experience and work in the community garden. Governance They planted seeds to harvest vegetables. ❖ Re-examine data collection systems HARM REDUCTION ❖ ❖❖ Review and implement changes to Kitselas Community Health Plan We have also begun working on a 80 200 100 150 ‘Daycare Needs Assessment Report’ CLEAN CLEAN SHARPS NALOXONE related to a future daycare for the CRACK PIPES NEEDLES CONTAINERS KITS community.

Kitselas Annual Report 2019/20 10 Youth Program Traditional Arts, Medicine and Food Youth have been involved in the Kitselas Developing our Future Leaders gardening projects, connecting with our The youth center is open for the Kitselas Food Systems Coordinator, to help work youth five days a week. The youth attend on and produce a thriving community in two separate age groups: six to 12, and garden. 13 years of age and up. All of the youth The youth have learned traditions participate in some events together. through harvesting plants for medicinal Programs are well attended; a regular and artistic purposes, day may include 25 or more youth in An artisan from the community activities. presented a drum making workshop. The Youth Coordinator Gerald Nyce is When the youth centre is open, the youth very committed to this program. We are given healthy snacks, as well as have were fortunate to also fund two youth breakfast club one day a week. assistants on a part-time basis to assist with programming for part of the year. A major activity for the youth is the annual culture camps that are jointly Wellness and Physical Activity funded and operated by community “Sometimes I feel like these services. Part of the program focuses on sports, kids don’t take the time to physical activity and culture and The youth also participate in community see where they’re at. They’re community events, these include sports barbecues, and family get-togethers. growing up so fast and don’t camps, coaching clinics, hiking trips, and They also fundraise for planned youth stop to look around. I want to other on the land traditional wellness trips and events. help them prepare to become outings. We also rent a gym twice a week future leaders.” – Gerald Nyce, to allow the youth to play basketball. We Kitselas Youth coordinator have two teams – a male and female team - which attended basketball Youth Coordinator Gerald Nyce was tournaments last year. 25 or more youth profiled in the Terrace Standard newspaper this past year, in its An exciting purchase last year was a often attend our Skeena Voices section, which large canoe and all the equipment program in one day profiles local people who are doing needed to transport and use it. We amazing and inspiring things. used the canoe often at the lake in the summer. Youth have also taken up In the article, Gerald speaks archery as well as kayaking. passionately about working with Kitselas youth.

Kitselas Annual Report 2019/20 11 Kitselas Food Systems HIGHLIGHTS Built 70 Produced, harvested and garden boxes distributed to community Food is Life Planted 650 200 pounds of potatoes garlic cloves One third of the Gitaus community garden 130 pounds of tomatoes lot was cleared for future development Cleared a third of the with support from Public Works. They also community gardens for 30 pounds of cucumbers added a water line with spout/spigot. future development 40 pounds of zucchini We supported the Kulspai gardens with Delivered 1,236 food seeds, seedlings, and new fruit trees, bags to 103 households 4 pounds bell peppers as well as hanging flower baskets for (200 more bags than the year before) beautification. Last March, in partnership with the Employment & Training department, we Good Food Box purchased material to build more than 70 garden boxes for households, on and off Every month, good food reserve. These were then delivered, along boxes and packages are with soil and garden starter packages. We distributed to homes in the community. Boxes consist of offered instruction and tips on gardening fresh vegetable, fruit and one along the way. staple and a carton of eggs. In the fall, we planted 650 garlic cloves for food and future seed for the community. Various health programs participate in Like us on Facebook the food systems programs. We hosted Check out the ‘Kitselas the Head Start children, and the younger Growing Food and Wellness’ culture camp group. Children learned how facebook page. Read to dig up potatoes, and pick cucumbers, stories about our members tomatoes and carrots. gardens and learn about The youth program and three Kitselas our community gardens, families also grew produce in their own greenhouses, good food garden boxes. boxes and wellness.

Kitselas Annual Report 2019/20 12 May & June Children make drums. They go berry Host school tours tailored to classes’ picking and learn about berry cakes people needs. Cultural tours are on social preserved in the past. They hike to the organization, archaeology, treaty, archaeological site of Gitsaex and learn art, natural resources, and language. the village history. Most importantly, they Tours for younger age groups are learn about salmon and how to preserve it focused on legends and storytelling. through jarring and smoking. The first week of June, we also do Throughout the summer, tourists also drop cultural presentations at Lakelse Lake in for tours or to hike the interpretive trail. for Forestry week. Kitselas Canyon September & October July & August Host post-secondary tours, which focus Kitselas Canyon is a National Heritage In the summer, when school tours more on history. Classes that often visit Site where visitors come to learn about are finished, the canyon is used for include anthropology, nursing, early our history and culture. The site is a Kitselas Culture Camp. Kids from childhood education, and students from popular attraction and learning place our community have the chance to the Freda Diesing School of Northwest for regional schools when it comes to learn history and culture through a Coast Art at Coast Mountain College. These studying local First Nations history. variety of activities. Kitselas Youth tours require some research because Typical Season Coordinator Gerald Nyce and others they tend to focus on cultural aspects like pre-plan the camps, which run for two governance, medicine, and art. April weeks. One week is for the younger Operations begin; we prepare the kids and the other week is for older November longhouses and displays. teens. Winterize facilities.

Kitselas Annual Report 2019/20 13 Supporting the success of individuals and community Community Services Our Programs & Services ❖❖ Language & Culture ❖❖ Summer Reading ❖❖ Social Development ❖❖ Kindergarten to Grade 12 (Public and Private Education) ❖❖ Post-Secondary Education ❖❖ Wabsuwilaks’m Gitselasu (Adult School Program) New! Sm’algyax KITSELAS LANGUAGE Language Program ADVISORY MEMBERS Meet Our Team An exciting new program that aims to ❖❖ Isabel McKee ❖ Debbie Moore Director; Adult School revitalize Sm’algyax in Kitselas. ❖ Mel Bevan ❖❖ Stella Wright Principal; Post- ❖❖ Established Kitselas Language Advisory group. ❖❖ Amy Bevan Secondary Manager ❖❖ Created Sm’algyax resources for Head Start along with summer student Tiffany Mason. ❖❖ Mickey Mason Marcia Spencer Social Development ❖❖ Attended regional language revitalization ❖❖ Anne McDames Coordinator conferences with First Peoples’ Culture Council Jericho Bevan Adult School Teacher and First Nations Education Steering Committee. ❖ Submitted grants for language revitalization in Joan Mason Language Coordinator ❖ The purpose of the Kitselas the community. Language Advisory group Crystal Azak Language Teacher ❖❖ Assisted in the Kitselas Elders Gathering of is to work with the Kitselas Gerald Seymour Summer Reading Knowledge. Community and Languages ❖ Coordinator ❖ Helped coordinate Summer Culture Camp staff, to provide guidance and with Health department. Up to 20 children participated in each of the three week-long support to various facets of the culture camps. And sm’algyax flashcards were languages programs sent home daily so the children could practice ❖❖ Hired a Sm’algyax language teacher,

Kitselas Annual Report 2019/20 14 Education

Kindergarten to Grade 12 90 on-reserve students attended school 3 on-reserve high school graduates Post-Secondary Education IN 2019-20, •• Nicholas Sampare Our goal is to increase post-secondary •• Gavin Moore WE SUPPORTED 17 FULL-TIME enrollment and graduation rates, leading to POST-SECONDARY STUDENTS •• Taylor Wesley employment, for Kitselas members.

Support for students: 7 University College Entrance Prep An increase in funding and ❖ Provided student incentives each ❖ low registration means the 1 Business Administration term. post-secondary program ❖ ❖ Met with principals and counsellors has a large surplus. 2 University Credit as needed to ensure student success. ❖❖ Drove students who may have 1 First Nations Fine Arts missed the bus to school. Let’s celebrate! New! Sarah Cootes graduated with her Bachelor 1 Criminology of Social Work from UNBC in Prince George. ❖❖ Transportation agreement with Coast Mountain School District #82 to Brittany Seymour graduated with her 1 Education Assistant build and maintain new covered bus Bachelor of Education from UBC in shelters in Gitaus and Kulspai. Vancouver. 1 Masters Certificate Program ❖❖ Member of Kitsumkalum ‘Na Aksa We hired a Sm’algyax language teacher, Gyilak’yoo School (NAGK) school Crystal Azak, in March 2019. Crystal is the 1 Bachelor of Psychology (withdrew) board. first ever graduate of UNBC’s First Nations Endangered Language Studies bachelor 1 Bachelor of Social Work (graduated!) ❖ Member of First Nations Council at ❖ degree program. Language, including sign Coast Mountain College. language, has been her passion from an 1 Bachelor of Education (graduated!) ❖❖ Authorized representative for First early age. Nations Schools Association.

Kitselas Annual Report 2019/20 15 Wabsuwilaks’m Gitselasu (Adult School) Social Development ❖❖ Worked with Northwest Inter-Nation Family & Community Services ❖ 25 students registered. ❖ Number of clients ranged from 22 to ❖ ❖ (NIFCS) as band representative and 56 throughout the year. ❖❖ Got a new 15-passenger bus! primary band contact. ❖ Assisted Employment & Training ❖❖ Hired Language Coordinator. ❖ ❖ Acted as Kitselas Social with funds for Elders and disability ❖ ❖❖ Became a certified school; can Development lead at First Nations clients to receive a total of 22 new now hold courses, submit marks Health Authority (FNHA) Northern woodsheds plus wood. to the Ministry of Education, and Regional Caucus quarterly meetings ❖ Assisted Housing, Public Works issue Adult Dogwood certificates. ❖ ❖ Registered for Justice Institute’s & Infrastructure department with ❖ ❖❖ Became an active member in the ‘Indigenous Focus Oriented Therapy funds to help with snow removal for Adult school teacher Professional Training’ program with support from Elders and disabled. Learning Community through Health, Employment & Training, and First Nations Schools Association. ❖❖ Helped provide good food boxes to Community Services departments. ❖❖ Students received bi-weekly Elders and disabled. Receiving financial support from attendance incentives. FNHA and Employment & Training.

IMPORTANT EVENTS THAT AFFECTED OUR STAFF AND SERVICES

May 10, 2019 June 2019 September September 20, December January 1, January 20, February March 10, March 2020 March 27, 6, 2019 2019 2019 2020 2020 21, 2020 2020 2020 Indigenous Kitselas COVID Services hosts Minister of Residential Loss of New First First Kitselas begins to First Nations Canada Elders Advanced School survivor Alfred legislation Nations Nations hires impact life School implements Gathering Education, Brad Marsden (Alfie) on Children Education Education Sm’algyax and work for Association discussion of Skills and speaks to McDames in Care Steering Steering language all Kitselas initiates with First Knowledge Training faculty, Sr. felt implemented. Committee Committee teacher members, discussions Nations “We were Melanie Mark students and across BC seeks and Northerners on what across a Nation announces First Nations legislation Indigenous and continuous Canada pulled Coast communities for First Services everyone learning will to discuss together, Mountain on colonization Nation Canada around the look like potential not pulled College was and the impacts schools meet on world in BC First processes to apart.” approved for of residential national Nations Registration 1,500 beds at schools post- Schools of Status $18.7 mil secondary after the Indians student arrival of Program COVID

Kitselas Annual Report 2019/20 16 Providing and maintaining services, and safe, reliable infrastructure for our community Housing, Public Works, and Infrastructure The 2019/20 year was eventful. We Highlights worked on many different projects for many different organizations and many ❖❖ Removed approximately 1,145 lbs of Kitselas departments. garbage, and 135 lbs of recycling per household. ❖❖ Worked with Telus and Graydon Significant Events Electrical to improve the community Major Flood internet, increasing speeds from 2Mbps to 20Mbps, upgrading all the In the fall of 2019, a flood took out the modems, and reprogramming the network in the Administration building. As cable modem termination system. a result, we had to do a complete rebuild ❖ of all things network related. We also had ❖ Bought a new dump and plow truck. to rebuild six offices, the lobby, and the ❖❖ Several employees completed their community room. Air Brake ticket to drive the new truck. 2 House Fires ❖❖ Renovated five houses. Completed small renovations on seven houses. Two of our members suffered house fires this year. We helped supply temporary ❖❖ Replaced two and repaired seven accommodations while repairs were septic systems. made to their homes. We also helped ❖❖ Completed countless small plumbing with the insurance company, and tried to and household repairs. make life as comfortable as possible for ❖ Took 728 water samples in Gitaus the families who lost their belongings. ❖ and Kulspai. Several staff received water distribution and disinfection certificates.

Kitselas Annual Report 2019/20 17 Major Projects On September 20, 2020, it Housing SPOILER ALERT! was announced that Kitselas’ application for 40 Throughout 2019 and 2020, Kitselas and David new housing units was approved. Kitselas was Nairne + Associates Ltd. (DNA) worked together the only community in the North that received to submit an application for 40 residential units. funding so this is a huge success for our Nation. We submitted this to the 2020 call for the BC Housing Indigenous Housing Fund. The fund can provide a capital grant, interim construction financing, and an operating subsidy to a multi- unit residential development. In support of this application to BC Housing, we conducted a housing needs assessment, site assessment, and created a preliminary design for the project.

“Housing for Elders and families are the highest priority for housing in Kitselas.”

That’s what you told us through community engagement activities including a member survey, and workshops with youth, Elders, council, administration and the community. The feedback we received from the survey and the engagement sessions, is guiding the needs assessment, site, planning and preliminary design for the housing.

Single-storey Elders building with one- and two-bedroom units and a common kitchen/meeting space

Kitselas Annual Report 2019/20 18 Kitselas Housing Survey Snapshots

❖❖ 92 survey responses. ❖❖ 23 households indicated they wanted to move back to Kitselas. ❖❖ Housing availability is the biggest consideration prior to moving to Kitselas. ❖❖ 20 members who responded to the survey require a larger home. ❖❖ 6 member respondents indicated they are homeless and in need of housing. ❖❖ All members who responded to the survey stated affordability, maintenance and location as their main housing issues.

The ‘Lighthouse’

Throughout the year our department has worked on surveying and setting up the area proposed for the Lighthouse project. The lighthouse is meant to serve as a community service space for member nations and bands that Northwest Inter-Nation Family and Community Services Society (NIFCS) serves. It’s a space where community members will be able to find resources, support and accompaniment for the journey towards a healthier future filled with elevating possibilities. The Lighthouse concept is meant to be a symbol of strength and resilience.

Kitselas Annual Report 2019/20 19 Developing Independent and Prosperous Members in our Community Employment & Training Five Tier and labour development combined with Here for You and Your Future System Kitselas Employment & Training (KET) a wholistic set of wraparound services. continues its work with community Our department takes a community- members to gain the skills, training, and focused approach, using programs to support they need to access meaningful build up the community. For example, career opportunities. community members get a chance to earn while they learn through the Day About Us Labour Program. Kitselas Employment & Training is about As part of the program, participants much more than job placements. Our helped gather firewood, built woodsheds, work is grounded in a vision for a healthy launched community greenhouses, and Tier-3 Program Launch and self-sustaining community, and our much more - all while earning a wage. approach is based on strong partnerships We partnered with Gitxaala First across the region. Nation, Kitsumkalum First Nation, Bird Highlights Construction, Union IUOE 115, and LNG Whether you are interested in community All of our work is grounded in a vision for Canada to kick off our Tier-3 program. food sovereignty, pursuing a job in the a healthy and self-sustaining community. Through two cohorts, 12 participants trades, or looking for ways to support We believe we can get there with from seven First Nations completed your family, our Five Tier System can community-led approaches, and by the program and found industry help you identify and achieve your career working from the ground up to help employment, while nine obtained their goals. individuals achieve their goals, while Heavy Equipment Operators (HEO) Five Tier System benefiting the broader community. certification. You don’t drop out. You drop in.’ Community-Led Programs Year 2 of CTHL Our Five Tier System meets people In 2019/20, we successfully launched We delivered the second Construction where they are at, and works with them one of the first ever community-led Trades Helper & Labourer 2 (CTHL 2) to achieve their goals. The system is an Indigenous trades training programs in program, where participants not only evidence-based, community-led, but the province, the Kitselas Community-led were certified with new skills but also self-directed, approach to employment Apprenticeship Development Program. built community smokehouses.

Kitselas Annual Report 2019/20 20 Challenges Our Year in Numbers We would like to recognize that this year has been challenging in many respects. We lost one of our valued employees and community Elders, Alfie McDames. We are also feeling the shock of the COVID-19 pandemic and anticipate we will feel its affect for many months All 12 participants who to come, including impacts related to employment and training 120 total participants completed the Tier-3 opportunities. program got jobs accessed Kitselas Our department plans to work closely with the Kitselas Emergency Employment & Training programs Operation Centre (EOC) to be responsive in adapting to COVID-19 related changes such as offering safe in-person programming, and 8 of 16 participants who online programming. completed first cohort of When the pandemic first hit in March 2020, our Day Labour Program Kitselas Community-Led Apprenticeship Development helped the EOC and community by placing signs outlining COVID-19 directives around the community and Canyon. Program participants Delivered 840 hours (KCAD) program got jobs of training also helped deliver goods and supplies, worked with Kitselas Health to deliver Good Food Boxes and plan for the 2020 summer gardening season.

14 of 18 participants who At least 75% of our completed Construction ALFRED McDames SR. (1944 – 2019) participants completed their Trades Helpers & Labourers programs and either got jobs (CTHL) 2 got jobs On December 3, 2019, it was with heavy hearts we said goodbye to or furthered their education Alfred (Alfie) Samuel McDames Sr., who passed at age 75. Born on July 13, 1944, Alfie believed like no other in the prosperity of Kitselas people. During the six years he worked in the Kitselas Employment & Training department, starting in 2013, he poured his energy into his work and the wellness of Kitselas. He brought 30 program participants humour and wisdom to the department, his colleagues, and the in Day Labour program community at large. Issued 296 certifications completed 269 Alfie was fundamental in setting the vision for the department as a system of care. He community projects inspired others to “unclog the dream machine” and imagine all that could be possible. His legacy is the Five Tier System, a vision for building a healthy, vibrant community. Our team is honoured to carry on with his vision, and we will continue to be guided by his wisdom and words: “Nobody drops out. You drop in.”

12 students participated in summer student program Last year, we were thrilled to welcome to the department: 2 went on to full-time work 12 community members at Kitselas First Nation completed Class 4 • Sara McDames, Employment & Training Coordinator driver’s training • Steven Bolton, Trades Instructor for Kitselas Community-led Apprenticeship Development (KCAD)

Kitselas Annual Report 2019/20 21 Expanded program offerings ❖❖ ● Launching the second year of CTHL 2 Training Some more info about our programs In partnership with Gitxaala and ❖❖ ● Training the first cohort of Coast Mountain College and building Kitselas Community-led on our work from last year, we saw Apprenticeship Development higher recruitment, attendance and Program (KCAD) participants placement from the CTHL 2 program. In January 2019, we welcomed Participants helped build community Minister Melanie Mark to Gitaus to smokehouses. Kitselas member announce the launch of the KCAD ❖❖ ● Kicking-off Tier-3 Programming Kyle Joseph at program, with a first Cohort of 16 In two cohorts, 12 participants from the IUOE115 participants, seven different First Nations completed training school KET was excited to become a the Tier 3 program and found work in in Maple Ridge. regional training provider and the industry. Nine participants obtained demonstrate to the province the their Heavy Equipment Operators (HEO) success of community-led pre- certification. This program included trades training. opportunities to forge new and stronger partnerships with other First Nations ❖❖ ● Piloting the Day Labour Program and with industry. This year, the Day Labour Program gathered wood for the community, built Melanie Mark, Minister of Advanced Education, sheds for firewood, built and sold picnic Skills & Training, in Gitaus with Tier-3 program tables, took over Quonset Hut, and participants on January 23, 2020. launched the community greenhouse and smokehouse. This flagship program allows us to work on individual and community goals and to make training financially sustainable for individuals, while tackling community priorities and projects. ❖❖ ● Running our Summer Student Program We hired 12 students and a program coordinator to support departments over the summer months. Two students became full-time employees of the Kitselas Finance and Youth departments.

22 What’s Next? ❖❖ To grow and make available more food to members. Highlights of working KET has already seen how successful with members 1-on-1 community-led projects and programs ❖❖ Find a new home for the can be, both in supporting individuals department in support of a social ❖ ❖ Supporting four members reach their employment goals and in entrepreneurship approach to in their successful building a vibrant, healthy, connected programs. placement with Wai community. ❖ Continue our work focused Wah Environmental after ❖ on off-reserve affordable completing the university In 2020/2021, we plan to focus on housing and social economic -accredited Cultural bringing social and economic benefits development. and Natural Resource back to the community and we will Assessment university- continue to grow the seeds planted last ❖❖ Strengthen our partnerships accredited program. year. with other Kitselas departments and organizations, including ❖ Working with Coastal ❖❖ Expand community-led ❖ program partners, funders and GasLink to build a job programming and projects, contributors. for member Edward including the continued delivery Innes. The job includes of KCAD and other community- supervising construction led training in partnership with activities to ensure the Industry Training Authority. compliance with ❖❖ Expand the Day Labour Thank you! environmental standards Program (currently funded and reports on control and by the First Nations Health A big thank you to the many response. Authority) to become a generous and supportive organizations and people we have ❖ Helping members provincial demonstration site for ❖ worked with over the years, who throughout their career community-led programming, in have contributed to the success of and educational journey. partnership with Kitselas Health our members and programs. We For instance, supporting and provincial funding agencies. couldn’t do what we do without you. an individual get certified as a Crane Operator, Class 1 Driver, and Heavy Equipment Operator. Then helping them secure an industry job.

23 have been transported or traded, showing movement of people in the past. As for what’s next, the artifacts need to be processed, for example, weighed and 5,000-year-old artifacts measured. The obsidian will also be sent to a lab to find out where it came from. Last year, Kitselas began the construction the site. The dirt was then put into ‘spoil’ Freeland hopes the Kitselas students will of a road, from the longhouses in the piles, away from the road. continue to help with the work this winter Canyon to a new boat launch on the Kitselas students, who were part of the and spring. Skeena River. Knowing the important Employment & Training summer student history of the Canyon, care was taken to work program, then worked alongside ensure any important pieces of Kitselas Freeland, learning how to sift through the Students inspired history dug up during construction were spoil piles and find artifacts. found and preserved. Two Kitselas students who helped find “We did as much as we could to salvage and process artifacts in the Canyon Travis Freeland, a project manager at anything we could find,” Freeland said. And have been inspired to learn more. Kleanza Consulting, an archaeological firm what they found was incredible. in Terrace, played a big part in this work. Sierra Spencer is now taking an Discoveries included a significant anthropology college course and “The Kitselas Canyon is like nowhere else. collection of stone tools, which were Isaiah Bevan-Wright hopes to do the As a landscape, the Canyon is regionally probably used to chop down small trees same next year. significant. And it’s one of most important and saplings and construct equipment Hayden Wesley, the third student who archaeological landscapes we have in such as fish drying racks. They also found helped, returned to high school. the province,” Freeland said. “We know large amounts of ‘obsidian’, volcanic glass, people have been coming to this site for which was used for different kinds of tools. at least 5,000 years. It’s rare in this area to work with sites of that age because of “These tend to be really small artifacts. geological conditions here.” Some are no more than a few millimetres long - the biggest ones being five “To the regular eye, you can’t see but centimetres,” Freeland said. “They are tiny there’s archaeology everywhere in the little blades – microblades - made from Canyon. There’s evidence of house pits. extremely sharp volcanic glass. It’s really There’s evidence of cache pits, which are convenient and technologically ingenious.” holes in the ground that were excavated where people stored food. Today, this What’s significant about finding obsidian looks like depressions in the ground. We in the Canyon is that there’s only a few find those in the dozens,” Freeland said. known sources of obsidian in BC, including Mount Edziza and Anaheim mountain. Freeland and other Kleanza archaeologists Both of these are up to 500 kilometres were present to monitor the construction away. So, to get here, the obsidian must of the road, as a backhoe pulled dirt off

Kitselas Annual Report 2019/20 24 Kitselas Annual Report 2019/20 25 Informed and responsible decisions about Kitselas, by Kitselas. Lands and Resources Looking Good on the Court How we allocate our time tasks associated with consultation processes with BC and Canada on proponent referrals. Matilda Henry holds two important Project Management – Oversight, planning and roles for Kitselas - receptionist monitoring of Lands and Resources projects. Community Engagement – To achieve long- in the Lands & Resources term and sustainable outcomes and decision- department, and team manager for GIS Services – Analyzing spatial and geographic Kitselas basketball teams. data for internal and external partners. making on projects. In collaboration with our Fisheries Governance & Proponent Meetings Financial Management – Procurement and department’s Resource – Attending meetings and negotiations with allocation of financial resources. Stewardship Division, we were able government agencies and proponents on a Technical Document Review – Reviewing, to secure a grant to provide the Kitselas girls and boys basketball variety of fisheries, stewardship and industrial analyzing and providing comments/feedback teams with gym bags, rain jackets, matters. on technical documents. and hats with the team logos. Consultation & Engagement – Completing Staff Meetings – Regular check-ins with staff technical reviews, meetings, site visits and other on project progress.

Project Management 4% GIS Services 6% Fisheries Governance & Proponent Meetings 9%

Consultation & 40% Engagement 10% Community Engagement

Financial Management 10% Technical Document Review 10% 11% Staff Meetings

Kitselas Annual Report 2019/20 26 Kitselas Reserve Lands Division: Reserve Lands ❖❖Kitselas Environmental Planning and Development Organizational Chart Management Division Management Plan Another high priority item listed Kitselas Reserve Lands Management Act in the LUP is the development Thank you to everyone that Kitselas 2020 Comprehensive Community Plan of an overarching Environmental participated in creating the 2019 Management Plan (EMP) for Kitselas Land Use Plan 2019 Land Use Plan (LUP). Kitselas Chief Kitselas Reserve Lands. The EMP and Council has now adopted the is intended to be an operational Kitselas Kitselas updated Land Use Plan. The LUP Kitselas standard to manage activities Subdivision, Environmental Zoning was driven and created from input Development and Management that have the potential to affect Law by Kitselas community members Servicing Law Plan Kitselas lands, air, and water and serves as a living document. on Reserve Lands. The EMP is The completed LUP is available on currently in progress and the first Kitselas Development Permitting the Kitselas website. Unfortunately and Business Licensing draft will be completed in October due to Covid-19 restrictions, a 2020. community celebration could not occur. ❖❖Home-based Business Policy and Procedure Current Projects A draft Home-based Business Policy and Procedure (HBB Policy) ❖❖Kitselas Subdivision, has been completed. The HBB Development and Policy will apply to anyone wishing Servicing Law to run a business out of their In alignment with the immediate home on Kitselas Reserve Lands. priorities listed in the updated LUP, a Subdivision, Development The laws, plan, and policy will and Servicing Law (SDS) was assist Kitselas First Nation develop established and is now in its organized processes for reviewing final stages of review. This development on Reserve Lands law will dictate the process that ensure: for developing or subdividing • Health and safety on Kitselas Reserve Lands. • Protection of sensitive All developments must align environmental features with the Kitselas LUP, other • Preservation of culturally applicable Kitselas legislation, significant sites and all required provincial and • Consistent and informed federal enactments. decision-making • Orderly and high quality development.

Kitselas Annual Report 2019/20 27 Consultation and Kitselas Values Project Consultation Agreements Engagement Division In October 2019, KLRD and PGL KLRD is continuing to implement the (consultants) hosted community Kitselas Consultation Agreement with workshops from which draft Kitselas the Province with over 100 referrals We worked collaboratively with Kitselas ‘values’ were identified through consulted on over the past year. consultants and the Environmental discussing the deep traditions and The Ministry of Transportation and Assessment Office of BC (EAO) to beliefs of Kitselas and translated Infrastructure was incorporated into the produce a process in which Kitselas and into language that people outside agreement in November 2019. EAO will engage during environmental of the community can understand. assessments on Kitselas Traditional KLRD is currently in discussions with By encouraging this understanding, Territory. This technical process will the Ministry of Forest, Lands, Natural KLRD seeks to make businesses and be a key component in the proposed Resources, Operations and Rural governments our allies in protecting agreement between Kitselas and EAO Development to incorporate the and enhancing these values. which is currently being negotiated by forestry section into the agreement Unfortunately, the next steps to verify Kitselas Lands & Resources. as well. In addition, KLRD continues and refine this information with the to pursue agreements with federal community have been affected by the agencies (e.g. Prince Rupert Port Covid-19 pandemic. Major Projects Authority) and the BC Environmental KLRD will be continuing this work Assessment Office. Three projects currently going through over the next year in order to better These negotiations are currently Environmental Assessment and KLRD represent Kitselas values in the review including: ongoing and will continue into the new Environmental Assessment process year. 1. Vopak of major projects being considered in • Bulk liquids export facility Kitselas Traditional Territory. • Located on Ridley Island 2. Kitimat LNG • LNG export facility • Largest project currently under review • Located in Kitimat/Douglas Channel 3. Cedar LNG • Haisla owned LNG export facility • Located in Kitimat/Douglas Channel KLRD is ensuring Kitselas rights are enshrined during these processes and that impacts are adequately mitigated or accommodated.

Kitselas Annual Report 2019/20 28 Resource Stewardship The Resource Stewardship Division has Division increased participation in a number of We created the Emergency Response resource-based working groups and Division just in time for when the Covid The Resource Stewardship governance tables to ensure that Kitselas pandemic hit in the spring of 2020. Division successfully built effective priorities are considered when decisions are collaborative relationships with being made. Having representation on these The Kitselas Emergency Response Team other North Coast Nations as well as committees is important to assert Kitselas has been working hard to keep the Provincial and Federal Governments priorities in both fisheries and marine community informed and safe during in Resource Stewardship on the planning. this tough time. Traditional Territory; specifically, in the area of Skeena Salmon governance, New! Emergency Response planning and management. Division We participated in a number of The Emergency Response Division is a new Community Wellness Working field-based initiatives: division in our department. It was established Group (CWWG) ❖❖ Eulachon sampling and fishing to ensure the highest level of protection The Community Wellness Working Group for community for the health and safety of the Kitselas (CWWG) consists of representatives community. ❖❖ Salmon stream walks – from the KLRD and Kitselas Health counting salmon within the Work to date includes the creation of a Department to monitor the impacts of Traditional Territory Kitselas Emergency Response Plan and the increasing industrial projects on the establishment of a coordinated Emergency ❖ Food fish monitoring – provided health and safety of Kitselas people. ❖ Response Team. valuable information about We have successfully completed: how much fish is entering the Preparation & Planning community, which allows staff One of the main focuses for this division • Annual community health survey to address issues and gaps was the oil and gas Industry, for example, – will be used as a baseline to prioritize responses to community ❖❖ Kleanza Creek Restoration oil spills on land and in water. Other health concerns Project – increased salmon environmental issues include wildfires, spawning habitat in Kleanza landslides and floods, and community- • Access to traditional foods projects Creek driven issues include fuel management – monitoring traditional foods and around the reserves, training, and awareness. medicine that may be affected by ❖❖ Collaborative marine field work the construction and operation of - sampled clams, eelgrass, KLRD has been successful with a number industrial projects fish and water quality to better of funding applications to support stable understand the cumulative participation in emergency response The CWWG will be critical in ensuring effects that development has planning, preparedness training, and industrial development on our Territory on the Traditional Territory coordination activities to enhance the leaves a net-positive impact on Kitselas emergency response capacity for the Nation. community health and our values.

Kitselas Annual Report 2019/20 29 Building a Successful, Independent Environmental Business Wai Wah Environmental Wai Wah’s mandate is to Focused Workplan help develop professional The 2019 workplan included environmental capacity of ❖❖ Pursuing opportunities in the Kitselas members while oil and gas sector generated promoting economic by Kitselas on the Coastal participation through Gaslink pipeline (which runs land reclamation and through Kitselas Traditional environmental monitoring Territory) at new industrial ❖❖ Working on stewardship developments. initiatives in conjunction with Kitselas Lands & Resources Wai Wah also works with ❖❖ Pursuing work through local Kitselas Lands and Resources by proponents like CN, BC undertaking field work related to Hydro, and Pacific Northern ❖❖ Proactive stewardship such Gas as fish monitoring and habitat This is critical work for Wai Wah’s assessment long term strategic success as ❖❖ Environmental monitoring of this is the type of work that will industrial activities referred to be here long after the current oil the Nation, both in the territory and gas projects. and beyond Establishing the company’s Wai Wah Environmental was reputation and ability to perform established in 2018 by Kitselas to a high standard on this type of Council and the Kitselas Lands work will pay off for many years and Resources Department to come. (KLRD).

Kitselas Annual Report 2019/20 30 “Without strong partnerships, it is not possible for a Environmental Services Strong Start Up Committed Partners Wai Wah offers the following services: Although Wai Wah competesstart-up in company a toIn compete 2019, Wai in Wah the oil continued & gas industry.” to build on demanding, mature industry, the our existing partnerships with Chu Cho •• ❖ Surveying streams and company is off to a strong start and electrofishing Environmental, which is 100%-owned by looks forward to continued growth and the Tsay-Keh Dene Nation, and Ecofor •• ❖ Monitoring air and water quality development in all areas – working Environmental, which has strong ties to •• ❖ Surveying and salvaging with the Kitselas Lands & Resources First Nations. amphibians department on stewardship projects, with local proponents on projects in •• ❖ Field programs for Kitselas Lands Kitselas Traditional Territory, and on the & Resources department oil and gas work that is ongoing.

Wai Wah currently employs 5 full time field technicians, all of which are Kitselas members.

Meet Our Team

Dalace Bennett Field Technician Desiree Bolton Field Technician Edward Innes Field Technician Aaron McMillan Field Technician Nathan McMillan Field Technician Roland Wright Manager

Kitselas Annual Report 2019/20 31 Building Independence through Sustainable Economic and Business Opportunities Kitselas Development Limited Partnership

Board of Directors Increased Communications The workplan focuses on continuous KDLP and council continues to work on improvements and commitments to In 2019, the KDLP Board of Directors develop and grow KDLP in a safe and maintaining stronger communications expanded to gain increased community financially responsible manner. Kitselas and reporting with its shareholders, the input, and access expertise and business Development Corporation is working Kitselas Chief and council, and members. experience. The board meets monthly on securing contracts on both the LNG to provide leadership and administrative The board presented a detailed and Canada and Coastal GasLink Pipeline oversight of KDLP and KFLP. updated workplan and budget to projects, though it’s a very competitive Current board members stakeholders in January 2020. business environment. •• Louis Bibaud, community member •• Jodie McKay, member Section 8 Construction to date •• Elias McMillan, member •• David Try, community member

Coastal GasLink pipeline The 670-kilometre long Coastal GasLink Pipeline will transport natural gas to the approved LNG Canada facility near Kitimat. Kitselas Traditional Territory is in Section 8 of the Coastal GasLink pipeline route, which is 84 kilometres long. Source: https://map.coastalgaslink.com

Kitselas Annual Report 2019/20 32 Kitselas Development New Employees Erica worked in the Kitselas Lands and Profit for Community General Manager Resources Department, therefore has extensive knowledge and experience in Kitselas Development Corporation (KDC) Kitselas Development Corporation’s hired lands management. is the business development arm of a new General Manager in February 2020. Kitselas First Nation. We operate under Dareld Poittras has extensive experience Land Leases the independent and active KDLP board working in the pipeline industry. At KDC, Our aim is to lease Kitselas land to of directors. Our goal is to make profits to he is focused on expanding Kitselas interested business parties for revenue pass onto the nation and be used for the business opportunities and achieving and profit. betterment of the Kitselas community value for Kitselas from the LNG Canada Current land contracts and plans include: and members. We also work closely project and Coastal Gas Link pipeline being with the Kitselas Employment & Training 1. Kitselas Industrial Development Park constructed through and near Kitselas Kitselas continues to lease 72 acres of department to maximize economic Traditional Territory. benefits for Kitselas members. the Industrial Development Park to the Lands Officer PTP/Chevron project. Increased Profits All off-reserve Kitselas lands – such 2. Onion Lake Site After incurring losses in 2016 and 2017, as treaty settlement, impact benefit KDLP continues to lease 25 acres to Kitselas Development Corporation made agreement lands (from major project Coastal Gas Link. The lease is for 2.5 a profit of $127,000 in 2018. This is when agreements), and fee simple lands - are years. a new board was formed and created a held by KDC in trust for Kitselas First 3. Groundside Commercial Park workplan focused on profit. Nation. Kitselas member Erica Louie was We continue to work on development At $455,000, this year’s profits more than hired to better coordinate and manage plans for this piece of land. Plans triple last years. all of Kitselas parcels of off-reserve lands. include a 100-room lodge. Previous to coming to KDC,

Band Council New Board Board establishes and of Directors presents Board registers KDLP established to workplan to KDLP presents Board of as a separate assess current shareholders presents updated directors business entity position of KDLP. to address Kitselas workplan expands KDC in 2008 (note Operations Better reporting debts and lodge idea Operations and from 3 makes a KDLP entity was incur to shareholders produce at 2017/18 are budget to to 5 profit of IMPORTANT revised in 2016). losses. established. profits. AGM. profitable. shareholders. members. $455,000 MILESTONES 20 2017/ February July November 20 January August 20 16 2018 2018 2018 2018 18 2019 2019 19

Kitselas Annual Report 2019/20 33 Queensway Building Business Activities & Focus KDC is in the early stages of expanding our Queensway KDC has a wide portfolio of businesses - office building, where CFNR from the Queensway office building to an and other commercial environmental company. We also work in tenants lease space. The partnerships and have joint ventures with building is full with a wait different companies. list, and as the only on- Our board and staff continue to actively reserve office space, we explore new opportunities such as the believe there is a strong geothermal heat project and the creation demand for additional of more lay-down yards. (Lay down space – and more potential yards are where industry can safely store for regular income. equipment and material.) Major projects in and around our territory offer major economic opportunities to Kitselas nation and members. This includes but is not limited to contract work for Kitselas companies and joint venture, which leads to revenue; rental income from the leasing of Kitselas land; employment and training opportunities for members; and much more. These major projects also present opportunities for development at the Kitselas Industrial Development Park.

Kitselas Geothermal Geothermal energy is energy relating to or produced by the internal heat of the earth. Through Kitselas Geothermal Inc, KDC is developing geothermal resources within the Kitselas Traditional Territory, between Terrace and Kitimat, just south of the Northwest Regional Airport. Our long-term goal is to provide direct heating and cooling to Kitselas Industrial Development Park tenants.

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Kitselas Annual Report 2019/20 34 Kitselas Forestry Limited Partnership

(KFLP) develops and manages timber resources on behalf of Kitselas First Nation. Our mandate centres around: • Harvesting and managing acquired timber resources and negotiate the highest financial returns possible for the Kitselas community. • Collectively marketing fibre resources with partners such as Westland Resources. • Exploring KFLP’s contracting capabilities (eg. road building), and identify appropriate opportunities and synergies for future contracts. • Creating local employment and training opportunities, whenever available, for Kitselas and other First Nations. Initiatives are jointly discussed and identified by KFLP and Kitselas First Nation, and must be mutually beneficial to both organizations. KFLP holds two forest licenses and employs two full-time employees. We also hire additional employees as required with contracts acquired.

Kitselas Annual Report 2019/20 35 Fibre Supply Agreement New Forest Licenses Total projected 2020 KFLP has negotiated and secured a KFLP has set aside a budget harvest volume = 69,992 m3 three-year fibre supply agreement of approximately $220,000 for • CP 104 North Copper with Skeena Sawmills. This allows us engineering and permitting of K82 8,628 m3 to maintain and harvest our Annual future cut blocks. This is based on K82 A&B 1,220 m3 Allowable Cut (AAC). It also allows us to recommendations from our Board of K83 3,141 m3 operate our license year-round and keep Directors and Westland Resources to K18-7 718 m3 our logging contractor busy year-round. enable access to cut blocks in a timely Total 12,990 m3 Once this initial agreement is completed, manner and maximize the profit on log • CP 109 KFLP can negotiate a longer five-year sales at the best currently available K22 Hardscrabble 19,798 m3 agreement. market prices. K45 Williams Creek 10,611 m3 K90 Onion Lake 3,928 m3 Total 34,337 m3 Operations and Marketing • CP 111 KFLP will develop an operating and marketing plan based on the harvesting license allocation figures. K111 North Copper 10,834 m3 Total 10,834 m3 Objectives Actions Timeline • CP 106 K73 Clore 4,972 m3 Secure annual timber Meet with key stakeholders of the Forest K74 Clore 6,859 m3 allocation from the Ministry Management department. Total 11,831 m3 of Forest, Lands and Natural Prepare necessary submissions to secure Ongoing Resource Operations. cut blocks.

Develop operating and In collaboration with Westland Resources Ltd: marketing plan to include: Develop sales and marketing plan. • Planning Develop policies and procedures for • Operations tendering. Ongoing • Marketing Establish harvesting plans and licenses. • Manufacturing Establish cash flow projections. • Employment & Training

Kitselas Annual Report 2019/20 36 Treaty

The Kitselas Treaty department’s work in 2019/20 focused on four main areas: 1. Final Agreement 2. Research Projects (Treaty Related Measures) 3. Kitselas Constitution 4. Specific Claims

2019-2020 year was a milestone year for all BC First Nations involved in the treaty process.

The Province unanimously passed is to aid in ongoing Kitselas proposals and is currently implementing around the treaty, as well in our legislation, drawn from UNDRIP. Constitutional Process. UNDRIP, the United Nations All treaty negotiation loan debts Declaration of Indigenous People, were forgiven. Moving forward, treaty consists of 46 articles ratified by offices like ours will no longer be the United Nations, recognizing the required to access loans to operate. basic human rights of Indigenous The federal government announced people along with their rights to self- new funding models that will transform determination. loan funding to grant contributions. An analysis of the new legislation is This means the negotiation loan debt underway, once complete it will be has been removed from Kitselas’ shared with the community. The intent financial books.

Kitselas Annual Report 2019/20 37 Final Agreement Negotiations Kitselas treaty team continues regularly scheduled negotiation sessions around a Final Agreement with Canada and British Columbia. Every new year presents new challenges and hurdles for the team to overcome and the 2019- 2020 year was no different. In 2019-2020, the treaty team was represented by Gerald Wesley (Interim Director of Treaty Implementation), and Cyril Bennett-Nabess (Interim Negotiator). Kitselas Lands and Resources Director, Chris Apps and Senior Stewardship Officer, Cynthia Barwell, also provided further analysis of treaty related measure work around Fisheries and Land. The Final Agreement is maintained by Tsimshian First Nations Treaty Society (TFNTS) Ongoing Treaty Related Measures Administrative/Communications Officer, Jeanette research projects include: Spalding. •• Agricultural land reserve Research Projects (Treaty Related Measures) •• Forest and roads planning Aside from negotiating the actual Treaty, the Kitselas treaty team along with hired experts in •• Local government relations the field, do data collection, engagement and •• Socio-economic factors research, to support Kitselas’ position on any • Implementation (law enforcement, given topic at the negotiating table. All of this • emergency planning, HR & land costs money. For example, funds for consultants, transactions) meeting spaces, refreshments, copying documents, and the labour it takes to complete •• Forest lidar these tasks. Treaty Related Measures (TRMs) are •• Lands verification money that helps us complete these tasks. (reviewing reserves surveys) All Treaty Related Measures costs are covered • Trap line research from grant contributions to Kitselas from the • Federal Government (Canada). •• Self-government startup costs

Kitselas Annual Report 2019/20 38 The Constitution sets out: Although the BC government passed Specific Claims • Who we are Bill-41 or the Declaration on the Rights Specific claims deal with past grievances. • Powers and limitations of a of Indigenous Peoples, it is relatively These grievances relate to Canada’s Kitselas government new. An analysis of the new legislation obligations under historic treaties or is underway, and will be shared the way it managed First Nation funds • Relationship between with community to assist with the or assets. The Government of Canada Government, People & Land development of the Kitselas Constitution. resolves these claims by negotiating • Structure of government Due to the worldwide pandemic, our settlements with First Nations. This year • How and when elections plan to hold large community meetings Lands and Resource Director Chris Apps take place (election process) in Kulspai, Gitaus and Terrace were coordinated Kitselas’ continued work around specific claims. • Citizenship temporarily postponed. However, the community continues to voice their • Citizens Bill of Rights Going Forward desires and concerns through projects We believe that all Kitselas members, like the Comprehensive Community both home and abroad, will benefit from Plan and the Thornhill Master plan, all the work done by the treaty team. Kitselas Constitution of which are reviewed for constitutional While the first draft of the Kitselas development. When the Agreement in Principal was Constitution is complete, there is still passed in 2013, it created a framework for much work to do. a Kitselas treaty and final agreement. In a way, the Agreement in Principal is the Throughout the development and leading framework of a Kitselas Big House. And up to the first draft of the Constitution, the work we are doing, is securing it for Kitselas experienced multiple losses. Hereditary Rights our future. These unfortunate passings left The Kitselas Treaty will in hearts heavy, but fueled passionate no way effect the rights Kitselas has been preparing and conversations about the future of the of Hereditary leaders and positioning itself for a Final Agreement Kitselas People and the future of Kitselas their relationship with since 1993. Now, we can see the work homelands. the land and traditional coming together like the four corners of a bent box. We continue this process and look forward laws. With renewed to presenting an engagement plan that mandates, our colleagues will honor past, current and future voices from Canada and British of Kitselas. Columbia no longer press on old ‘extinguishment’ Important developments in British and ‘’full and final clauses’. Columbia have provided some areas to consider for our exploration as we develop and ultimately implement our Constitution in our community and on the land.

Kitselas Annual Report 2019/20 39 Growing as a Transparent, Financially Sound, Independent Nation Finance

Personnel of the First Nations Financial Transparency Statements are prepared in conformance The Director of Finance & Human Act (FNFTA). The First Nations Financial with Public Sector Accounting Standards Resources position is still vacant. Transparency Act requires that First (PSAS) and audited by our’ independent Samuel Harris has transitioned from the Nations make their audited consolidated auditors, Carlyle Shepherd & Co. role of Interim Finance Officer to the role financial statements, and a ‘schedule of of Interim Finance Manager, and assists remuneration and expenses of Chief and Finance and Audit Committee (FAC) with the responsibilities of Director of council, available to members. Finance in the interim. Isabel Majore Financial documents are available online Works with finance department continued in her role as Finance Clerk through the First Nations Gazette (www. fng.ca) or by request from Kitselas to implement the Financial and her duties as a payroll clerk as well Administration Law. as assists with the responsibilities of Administration. They are not part of the annual report this year. Provides council with advice and Director of Finance. recommendations, to support The Finance Department welcomed Financial Documents decision-making process relevant to Alfred McDames Jr. as a summer student the financial administration of Kitselas. to help in the summer months. McDames •• Audited consolidated financial statements Jr.’s presence within the finance Committee Members: department has been very helpful and Schedule of remuneration and •• Susan Bevan – Chair he will now work on a part-time basis, expenses & community member helping with accounts payable. •• Auditor’s written report respecting Jodie McKay – Vice Chair & the consolidated financial statements Financial Law community member •• Auditor’s report or the review The finance department continues to Roxanne Ridler – community member work toward the implementation of engagement report, as the case Chad Ian Gerow – council member the Financial Administration Law (FAL), may be, respecting the Schedule of which was adopted by Kitselas Chief and remuneration and expenses Lloyd McDames – council member council in 2012, through the development

Kitselas Annual Report 2019/20 40 Kitselas Annual Report 2019/20 41 Kitselas First Nation 2225 Gitaus Rd Terrace, BC,V8G 0A9 250.635.5084

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