Kitselas First Nation

KITSELAS FIRST NATION WILL MANAGE OWN RESERVE LANDS

Terrace, British Columbia – October 6, 2005: The Kitselas First Nation has taken over management and administration of its reserve lands under an initiative that enables Indian Bands in Canada to take over these powers from the federal department of Indian Affairs.

Band members voted yesterday to approve a community land code developed under the national Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management. The agreement enables the federal Department of Indian Affairs to transfer the land and resource management powers set out in the Indian Act to participating First Nations. Fifteen other First Nations in Canada, including seven in British Columbia, have previously completed this process.

“It is the desire of our present Band Council to work with the people we represent in achieving economic development as well as learning to help our people better than the system allows right now” says Kitselas Chief Glenn Bennett. “With practices and procedures changing from council to council, the Kitselas land code will allow a higher degree of accountability and a greater measure of stability within those practices and procedures as well as a free flow of information and membership input.”

“We are ready to become innovative, team-oriented and goal-driven.”

Land Management Coordinator Corrina Miller explains that “this entire project is transparent and is intended to allow a better response to the needs of all people in this area. It is imperative that we come together in order for us to be successful! In order to be prepared for the future, we must plan for the future!”

136 of the band’s eligible voters cast ballots, including off-reserve members who voted by mail. 99 voted in favor of the initiative and 34 against. Three ballots were rejected. 87 “yes” votes were required to approve the land code.

Gina Beddome and Associates of Prince George served as Ratification Officer. Al Gross of Kelowna supervised the voting process as an independent Verifier.

The decision affects approximately 1,065 hectares of land on nine reserves. The Band’s authorities are expected to take effect as of November 1, 2005.