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open

nis g a’a f ina l a gr e e me n t: imp l e me n tat ion r e por t 2 00 4 – 2 00 5
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“The Nisg
a’a
Nation
is open — open
to opportunities,
challenges,
and partnerships.
we’re open to
new ideas.”
p r e side n t Ne l s o n l e e s o n
simo o gi t a x l a awa a ls
nis g a’a l isim s g o v e r nme n t
2

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3

op e n f or dis c u s sion

In Conversation with
President Nelson Leeson

On October 24th, 2004, Nelson Leeson was elected President of the Nisga’a Nation in the second election
under the Nisga’a Final Agreement.
Q

Why is the Nisg a’a Final Agreement important?
-

A
Simply put, the treaty allows us to make our own decisions and to take
responsibility for our own lives. We enjoy our successes and learn from our
mistakes. Now we have control over our land, forests, and fishery and can
develop them responsibly for the long-term. The question of ownership of
the land is settled once and for all.
I remember the hopes and aspirations our people had in 2000. Their dream was
to work toward self-sufficiency, building the economy in conjunction with
the rest of the northwest. Treaty-making had been a way of life for us for
generations — then suddenly, it was all over. I was stunned. I felt both excitement
and fear about where we would go from there. The treaty offers an ongoing
challenge — and we are rising to meet that challenge.
Currently, we are working to build our economic base and train our people.
We welcome development — as long as it’s done in an environmentally safe
and socially responsible way. The Nisg a’a Nation is open — open to opportunities,
challenges, and partnerships. We’re open to new ideas.
When people accept that their destiny is in their own hands, they will see results.
The treaty has given us the tools we need to break the cycle of dependence and
eventually become contributing, tax-paying members of society. At the end of the
day, our people want the same thing all Canadians want — the ability to do and
become whatever they choose.
Because of our treaty, the eyes of the world are upon us. We will succeed.

sim-hooý sgum g at. t his is t he l ife
of a chief ta in or l e a der .
— Ayuuk-hl Nisga’a
-

4

Q

Why is self-government important?

A
Being able to govern ourselves means being able to set the rules that
allow us to live full and productive lives. Self-government allows us to create
an environment that fosters sustainable economic growth, environmental
stewardship, and a rich cultural life.
Economically, I think it’s been wise that we are taking control gradually. We have
to start creating wealth because sooner or later we are going to have to start
paying our own way. It’s better to start now.
Culturally, our young people are reviving dances and traditions that haven’t been
seen for fifty years. They dance and walk in both worlds. Our greatest leaders
were able to do that. I think that is the future.

Q

What are your goals over the next four years?

A
Like other governments, we are working to build our economic base, train
our people, and ensure the separation of politics and business.
I want to see a clearly established economic development plan. We’re working
very hard on that now. When we talk about separating politics from business, we
mean creating an economic development board with a top-notch CEO. I think it’s a
matter of putting that action plan in place and sticking to it. We will develop our
resources responsibly with an eye to the long term and the whole.

Q

What are the challenges facing the Nisg a’a Nation today?
-

A
You have to reflect on the process of colonization. We were set up to be
dependents and we are stuck in this cycle of dependency. Our challenge is to
break that cycle. We always saw the treaty as a tool to help us take ownership
of our lives and start working toward becoming a self-sufficient people again.
That’s a big challenge. On top of that, we’re working to solve social problems
like everyone else.
One of our leaders, James Gosnell, used to say, “You know, we’ll settle the
Land Question. But the real work begins after it’s settled.” Truer words were
never spoken.

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op e n f or dis c u s sion

Q

What opportunities are on the horizon?

A
Our fishery is doing very well. Right now the Nass River is the best kept
river system in British columbia. We’ve been taking care of the Nass since 1982
and we’re nurturing that resource for the benefit of everyone — not just Nisg a’a
people. I’m very proud of that. Whatever development that comes along, we have
to ensure we are not going to threaten the fishery. Over the next five years,
I hope to see our people get a better price for our fish, make deals with Japan,
and improve harvesting and transportation methods.
In northwest British Columbia, the forest industry is starting to show signs of
life again. I see a really big opportunity for us there. We have good experience
in the area of forestry and will begin to create wealth in that sector.

I believe that when we meet, live, and work with
other people, we all learn from each other .
We’re all stronger because of the experience.
Cultures are not dormant; they evolve. And they
evolve by interaction.

With the new road opening up the Nass Valley, there’s a huge opportunity in sport
fishing and other forms of tourism. People are starting to come up to see what
we have to offer. It’s a place of stunning beauty. We have the youngest lava beds
in Canada, a pristine river system, and a rich culture. To meet those opportunities,
and to welcome our visitors, we will need to build amenities like restaurants,
hotels, and more Bed and breakfasts. And as we go forward, we are open to
partnering with our fellow British Columbians and Canadians.
Traditionally, we’ve been fishermen and loggers. I was both a fisherman and a
logger for many years. But the world is changing and we are changing with
it. I get excited when I think about the success of ventures like enTel (the New
Aiyansh-based high-speed Internet provider). When I look at our young people and
what they are capable of doing, I’m amazed. This is just a glimpse of the future.

6

Of course education is the best investment we can make; that’s why our dream is
to build a campus for post-secondary education. And it’s not just our people who
would benefit. I know people from other parts of the world would like to come
and live and learn in this beautiful setting. And they will be welcomed.
Nisg a’a travel all around the world and visitors come to the Nass Valley from
distant places — and I think we are enriched by that.

Q

The Nisg a’a Final Agreement is five years old. Are Nisg a’a people better off?
-

A
I believe so. We have passed a number of laws that will help us become
self-sufficient. We are starting to utilize some of the resources we secured
under the treaty.
I wouldn’t want my kids to have to live through what I had to live with. We were
getting ready, negotiating, for a long time. It became part of our life. Now we are
past negotiation and into implementation — getting down to the business of
building a sustainable economy. Seeing a consistent implementation policy from
the federal and provincial governments would go a long way toward supporting
our economic initiatives.

Q

Will this fail? Will the Nisg a’a people come back for more money or support?
-

A
When you’re poor for 100 years, and then suddenly you have the ability to
turn it around, it’s going to take a little while. We’re patient. Failure isn’t part of
our language. How can we be worse off than where we came from?
When we signed the treaty, we said, “that ends it all.” Throughout our negotiations,
we clearly stated what we wanted. The treaty outlined what we agreed to — and
what we are going to live with.
Under the treaty, we join the rest of Canada as taxpayers after eight years.
we are already paying some municipal-type taxes now. We did a survey before
the treaty. We asked our people, would you be willing to pay taxes if you are
Gainfully employed? they said yes — overwhelmingly — if the taxes are used
to help run our own government.

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op e n f or dis c u s sion

T he Nisg a’a N ation l ed Br i t ish Col umbi a a nd
c an ada in moder n t r e at y-m aking .
No w w e wan t t o l e a d in a ccoun ta bil i t y a nd
susta in a bl e de v elopmen t.

Q

What lessons can we draw from the Nisg a’a treaty?
-

A
They told us that there was no room for us, that all the powers had been
divided between Canada and the provinces. We had to find a way to fit in — and we
did. That’s the brilliance of our treaty. The Nisg a’a Final Agreement provides us the
opportunity for a government-to-government relationship. We never advocated
sovereignty. We were always looking to become meaningful participants in Canada
and British Columbia. We only wanted a just and honourable settlement.
Across Canada, other First Nations look at what we did and ask, “How did you do
it?” You just do it. You are going to make mistakes. It’s almost as if Indians are
not allowed to make mistakes. It’s silly. Go out there and do it. By trial and error,
you’ll get it right over time. Nothing’s perfect, no one’s perfect — what counts is
working hard to make it the best it can be.

about president nelson leeson
After attending residential school in Alberta, Nelson Leeson was employed as
a commercial fisherman while serving four terms as Councillor and two terms
as Chief Councillor for Laxgalts’ap Village Council. Mr. Leeson was the Executive
Chairperson of the Nisg a’a Tribal Council and one of the primary land claim
negotiators during the final stages of negotiation of the Nisg a’a Final Agreement.
During his tenure with Nisg a’a Tribal Council, he served as Chairperson of Public
Education and as Chairperson of the Resource Working Group. Other public service
posts include board member for Northern Native Broadcasting, Project Outreach
Coordinator for North Coast Tribal Council, and member of Skeena District Advisory
Board. Mr. Leeson has spent more than 20 years in various public offices working
for the good of his people.

8

1
2
3
4
5

A QUESTION OF GovernANCE > pg 10

a vision for economic development > pg 14

supporting community well-being > pg 26

protecting the environment > pg 30

safeguarding a culture > pg 34

1

a question of governance
T he pil l a r s of good go v er n a nce a r e s t rong p ol i t ic a l l e a der ship a nd public a dminis t r at ion , democr a c y a nd t r a nspa r enc y,
sound fisc a l m a n a gemen t a nd a ccoun ta bil i t y, a nd a commi tmen t t o t he rul e of l aw. Good go v er n a nce hel p s cr e at e t he
condi t ions t h at m a k e i t p ossibl e for o t her go v er nmen t s —
a nd t he pr i vat e sec t or — t o in v e s t in t he de v el opmen t of
t he Nisg a’a N at ion .

de’entkw: leadership
The success of any collective venture is due, in part,
to the quality of governance. What does it mean to
govern? The English word finds its roots in the Greek
word kyberno, which means “to steer.” In Nisga’a
culture, the understanding of governance is built on
the Ayuuk-hl Nisga’a — the oral laws and customs of
the Nisga’a people — which has been passed down
through untold generations. Transcribed for the first
time in 2005, the Ayuuk reveals many things about
the Nisga’a concept of governance:
“The one who governs is the spokesperson, steersman, and leader of the community... Beginning at
birth, one is taught all aspects pertaining to
the ways in which the world functions, so when
it is time to take one’s place as the leader of the
community, one will know how to carry out those
responsibilities based on the Nisga’a Principles of
Life: respect, humility, compassion, patience, clear
thinking, active listening, and taking care of how
one speaks. This is the life of a chieftain or leader.”
Today, Nisga’a leaders draw on an understanding
of good governance from timeless local tradition
and more than a century of experience seeking an
equitable settlement with the governments of
Canada and British Columbia. Tradition and experience demonstrate that good governance creates
stability, transparency, and accountability. It fosters
a positive climate for sustainable economic and
social development.

10

Gat: A People
The Nisga’a Nation’s lands, resources, and jurisdictions
are located in the Nass River Valley in northwest
British Columbia. Nisga’a people belong to one of
four tribes: Eagle (Lax-sgiik), Killer Whale (Gisk-’aast),
Raven (Ganada) and Wolf (Lax-gibuu). As a member
of a particular tribe, each Nisga’a citizen also
belongs to a tribal house (Wilp). In Nisga’a culture,
traditional authority and the ability to govern
originate from the connection between families
and communities, and their land and resources.
Today, the Nisga’a Nation includes 5,980 people.
Nisga’a people reside in the communities of Gingolx
(Kincolith), Lax-galts’ap (Greenville), Gitwinksihlkw
(Canyon City) and New Aiyansh. Many Nisga’a
people also live outside the Nass Valley in Terrace,
Prince Rupert/Port Edward, and greater Vancouver.
Nisga’a citizens living in these urban centres are
represented through Nisga’a “Urban Societies.”
Nisga’a people also reside in 70 other communities
in British Columbia, the Yukon Territory, six other
provinces, and the United States.

Ts’eets’isk: A Place
Nisga’a Lands are owned in fee simple and consist of
approximately 2,000 square kilometres encompassing
all four Nisga’a villages. The Nisga’a Nation owns all
mineral resources on or under Nisga’a Lands. The
Nisga’a Nation also owns 25 square kilometres of
Category “A” Lands consisting of 18 parcels, and 2.5
square kilometres of Category “B” Lands consisting
of 15 parcels. These lands are located throughout
the Nass Area. The Nisga’a Nation owns all mineral
resources on or under Category “A” Lands, while
British Columbia owns all mineral resources on or
under Category “B” Lands.
A land regime has been established to oversee the
development of Nisga’a Lands. The Lisims Land
Registry and the Nisga’a Land Title Office administer
all matters related to Nisga’a Lands.

The Nisga’a Final Agreement
With the ratification of the Nisga’a Final Agreement
on May 11, 2000, most provisions of the Indian Act
ceased to apply to the Nisga’a people. The treaty
puts to rest any doubt about the ownership of
Nisga’a Lands and assures the right of self-government
for the Nisga’a Nation.
A milestone in the relationship between Canada,
British Columbia, and its First Nations peoples,
the Nisga’a Final Agreement is being studied by
Aboriginal peoples and governments the world over.

Capital Transfer
The cash component of the Nisga’a Final Agreement
is called the Capital Transfer. The amount agreed to
was $190 million, to be paid by Canada and British
Columbia to the Nisga’a Nation over a 14-year period.
The future value at the end of the payment period
will be approximately $280,500,000. The Nisga’a
Nation borrowed $50 million for treaty negotiations
and agreed to repay the loan over the same 14-year
period. The total loan repayment amount, plus
interest charges, at the end of the repayment period
will be approximately $84,300,000.

The Fiscal Financing Agreement (FFA) provides the
Nisga’a Nation with agreed-upon programs and
services funding. Nisga’a citizens are able to
participate in programs established by Canada and
British Columbia that are not included in the FFA.
During the reporting period, the parties prepared
to conduct negotiations to reach a new FFA.

Government Jurisdiction and
Lawmaking Authority
The Nisga’a Final Agreement provides certainty
with respect to the Nisga’a people’s right of
self-government and includes self-government
provisions. Under the Nisga’a Final Agreement, the
Nisga’a government has the ability to pass laws on
a broad range of matters. At the same time, Nisga’a
jurisdiction over lawmaking authority is concurrent
with federal or provincial legislative authority.
In practice, this means that for every Nisga’a law,
there is often a federal or provincial law that deals
with the same subject matter. Therefore, the Nisga’a
Final Agreement sets out the rules for determining
which law prevails if there is an inconsistency or
conflict. Generally, Nisga’a laws prevail when those
laws deal with matters that are internal to the
Nisga’a Nation, integral to Nisga’a culture, and
essential to the operation of Nisga’a Government.
Under the Nisga’a Final Agreement, Nisga’a laws
prevail in 21 subject matters and federal or provincial laws prevail in 13 subject matters. There are also
certain areas — national defense for example —
over which Nisga’a Government has no lawmaking
authority.

During the reporting period, capital transfer payments
of $12,023,468 from Canada and $989,373.15 from
British Columbia were made to the Nisga’a Nation.
Nisga’a Lisims Government repaid $2 million toward
its negotiation loan.

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Government Structure
Nisga’a government is composed of Nisga’a Lisims
Government (NLG) and the four Nisga’a Village
Governments. It is designed to assure democracy,
transparency, and accountability. The NLG Executive
consists of the Officers, the Chief Councillor of each
Nisga’a Village Government, and one representative
from each Nisga’a Urban Society. The President,
Chairperson, Secretary-Treasurer, and Chairperson
of the Council of Elders are elected at-large by the
Nisga’a Nation and serve as Officers of NLG. Members
of each Nisga’a Village Government are elected by
Nisga’a citizens resident in that particular village
while representatives of each Nisga’a Urban Society
are elected by Nisga’a citizens resident in that
particular urban area.
Nisga’a Lisims Government’s legislative assembly,
known as Wilp Si’ayuuk-hl Nisga’a, is composed of
NLG’s Officers, the Chief Councillor and Councillors
of each Nisga’a Village Government, and the two
representatives from each Nisga’a Urban Society for
a total of 37 members. Wilp Si’ayuuk-hl Nisga’a has
enacted 53 Nisga’a laws, passed numerous resolutions,
and debated governance issues. Included in the
53 laws are 25 Statute Amendment Acts that have
amended or repealed sections of various Nisga’a
laws. Nisga’a Lisims Government maintains a public
registry of Nisga’a laws, and provides copies to
Canada and British Columbia.

During the reporting period, there were four sittings
of the Wilp Si’ayuuk-hl Nisga’a: March 30, 31, and April
1, 2004; June 28–30, 2004; November 15 and 16, 2004;
March 30, 31, and April 1, 2005. In addition to amending existing legislation, two new pieces of legislation
were passed, the Nisga’a Emergency Program Act and
the Wilp Wilxo’oskwhl Nisga’a Institute Act.
Nisga’a Emergency Program Act allows the Nisga’a
Nation to design and implement its own response
and recovery plan for natural or human threats
that may occur within Nisga’a Lands. The Act calls
on the Nisga’a Nation to continue building human
resource capacity to ensure immediate and effective
response measures are taken in the event of an
emergency.
Wilp Wilxo’oskwhl Nisga’a Institute Act recognizes
and establishes Wilp Wilxo’oskwhl Nisga’a (WWN)
as a Nisga’a post-secondary institution with the
authority to award certificates, diplomas, and
degrees. The Act also formalizes a reporting relationship between WWN and NLG to ensure cooperation
in advancing the economic development goals of
the Nisga’a Nation, as well as promoting the
preservation of Nisga’a language and culture.

ROLES OF GOVERNMENT
Above and beyond public safet y, citizens of free societies
look to their governments for economic development, social
services, environmental stewardship, and cultur al support.
Together with its partners, Canada and British Columbia ,
Nisga’a Lisims Government is commit ted to meeting those
responsibilities and expectations while set ting new
standards for First Nations governance.

12

President
Nelson Leeson

Elders Chairperson

Secretary Treasurer

Chairperson

Chester Moore

Edmond Wright

Kevin McKay

Gingolx
Village Government

Lax- galts’ap
Village Government

Gitwinksihlkw
Village Government

New Aiyansh
Village Govenment

George Moore
Chief Councillor

Willard Martin
Chief Councillor

Ron Nyce
Chief Councillor

Eva Clayton
Chief Councillor

Git’max- mak- ’ ay
Prince Rupert /
Port Edward
Nisga’a Society

Terrace Nisga’a
Society

Nisga’a Ts’amiks
Vancouver Society

Fern Scodane
Urban Representative

Ben Stewart
Urban Representative

Franklin Alexcee
Urban Representative

Nisga’a Lisims Government Executive

Chief Executive
Officer
Edward Allen

Director of Programs
and Services

Director of Fisheries
and Wildlife

Director of Lands
and Resources

Director of
Finance

Les Clayton

Harry Nyce Sr.

Collier Azak

Frederick Tolmie

Nisg a’a Lisims Government Senior Management

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2

A Vision for Economic Development
Now th at the Nisg a’a N ation’ s l a nd a nd r esources a r e secur e ,
the Nisg a’a people a nd their gov er nment a r e investing their
energies in building capacit y, exploring oppor t unities , a nd
de v el oping their economy.

a principled path
Long ago, the Ayuuk-hl Nisga’a identified a fundamental
goal behind the drive to create wealth:
“Creating wealth — the capability and resources —
guides our decision about the appropriate course
of action. This will help us achieve the freedom to
stand on our own.”
— Ayuuk-hl Nisga’a
In 1987, the United Nation’s Brundland Commission
(World Commission on Environment and Development)
addressed the challenges of development in a global
context. The commission’s report popularized the
term “sustainable development,” which it defined
as “development that meets the needs of the
present without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs.”
Today, these complementary principles guide NLG’s
vision for economic development, sustainability, and
self-sufficiency.

14

Challenges and Opportunities
In 2003, Skeena Native Development Society
compiled a Labour Market Census that found an
unemployment rate of 52% among Nisga’a people
(age 15–65) living in the Nass Valley. Although this
was a sharp decrease from 2000’s unemployment
rate of nearly 69%, there is still much work to do.
The census also found that the majority of unemployed Nisga’a are seeking employment. This reality
poses both an incredible challenge and opportunity
for the development of the Nisga’a Nation.
The Nisga’a Nation seeks to support traditional
culture while cultivating new ways of economic
and entrepreneurial thinking. To achieve these
goals, Nisga’a Lisims Government is exploring and
strengthening partnerships in resource development on Nisga’a Lands, including fisheries, forestry,
botanical forest products, gravel export, eco-tourism,
and exploration of “green” hydroelectricity production.
In addition to natural resource development, NLG
is investing in state-of-the-art telecommunication
infrastructure through enTel, a Nisga’a-owned and
operated high-speed Internet provider that is poised
to expand service across northwest British Columbia.

Beyond developing its own land, resources,
and potential, the Nisga’a Nation has identified
the following possible commercial ventures in
northwest British Columbia.
> Prince Rupert’s container port
> Prince Rupert’s cruise ship terminal
> Kitimat’s liquid natural gas plant
> The northwest natural gas pipeline, and
> Bowser Basin coal bed methane gas.
Nisga’a Lisims Government is working to mobilize
the Nisga’a labour pool to engage in these and other
development opportunities.

enTel: High Speed Success
One of the most remarkable economic success
stories in the Nass Valley has been the development
of enTel — a classic example of necessity inspiring
invention.

Since the Effective Date of the Nisga’a Final
Agreement, Nisga’a Lisims Government has identified the need to bring high-speed Internet access to
the Nass Valley to support both economic and social
development of the Nisga’a Nation. When NLG first
tried to provide this service to its communities, it
encountered a major roadblock — the same one
encountered by remote and rural residents everywhere. The big carriers said their villages were too
small and too far from an urban centre to justify
offering service at a reasonable price. Realizing that

it would be cheaper to build it themselves, NLG
created enTel Communications Inc., which is now
bringing broadband Internet access to the Nass
Valley and beyond. enTel’s original mission was to
connect all four Nisga’a communities to a fibre optic
network and gain competitive access to Terrace.
During the reporting period, enTel continued to
expand service to Nisga’a citizens and public
institutions as well as launch service to other
remote, rural, and underserved communities in
northwest British Columbia. Through new international partnerships, enTel is fast positioning itself
to become one of the primary service providers to
Aboriginal communities across North America.

Governance and Business
Since May 11, 2000 — the Effective Date of the
Nisga’a Final Agreement — Nisga’a Lisims
Government has created Nisga’a corporations to
fulfill specific needs, such as selling fish (Nisga’a
Fisheries Ltd.), forestry (Nisga’a Lisims Government,
Lisims Forest Resources Ltd.), and telecommunications (enTel). Now that these corporations are up
and running, NLG is committed to establishing an
economic development board to oversee these and
other opportunities. This process began during the
reporting period and NLG aims to have a CEO and
board of directors in place in 2006. While Nisga’a
government will continue its role of facilitating and
promoting development, the day-to-day running of
these entities will be outside the purview of elected
officials, freeing them to concentrate on governance
while allowing those with proven business acumen
to move the economy forward.

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Developing a Healthy
Fishing Industry
The Nisga’a Nation manages the Nass River Fishery
to preserve the resource, provide food for its people,
and to support a modern, sustainable fishing industry for present and future generations. Under the
Nisga’a Final Agreement, Nisga’a fishing rights can
be exercised in Nisga’a traditional territory and the
marine waters of Portland Canal and Observatory
Inlet. Known as the Nass Area, this region encompasses 26,838 square kilometres. The Nisga’a fish
entitlements are held by the Nisga’a Nation and
the nation has the right to sell salmon harvested
in accordance with the treaty.
The Nisga’a Fisheries Management Program has
been in place since 1992, well before treaty negotiations reached an Agreement-in-Principle. The
program utilizes six fish wheels on the Nass River
for salmon monitoring, tagging, and data collection. Nisga’a Fisheries also conducts assessment of
non-salmon species. All management data collected
is shared with Canada’s Department of Fisheries and
Oceans (DFO). The Nisga’a Nation has now concluded
five seasons of harvesting all species of salmon for
domestic use and sale.
Under the Nisga’a Final Agreement, management
of the Nisga’a fisheries is facilitated through the
Joint Fisheries Management Committee. Comprised
of representatives from Canada, British Columbia,
and Nisga’a Lisims Government, the committee
recommends the Nisga’a annual fishing plan to the
DFO. Funding of the various fisheries projects come
from the three governments.
The Nisga’a Final Agreement allows for the commercial sale of salmon and this new revenue has enabled
Nisga’a communities to benefit both culturally and
economically. In addition to the harvest for domestic
consumption, Nisga’a citizens are eligible to participate in the Individual Sales Fishery, which allows for
the commercial sale of fish, and the Communal Sales
Fishery where fish are sold to fund the work of Nisga’a
Fisheries Management Program.

Salmon harvested since 2000

16

2000

sockeye

54,734 *

$900,000†

2001

sockeye

37,833*

$386,126†

2002

sockeye
coho

87,918 *
2,425*

$833,781†

2003

sockeye
coho

85,284 *
10,317*

$984,708†

2004

sockeye
coho

91,426 *
10,294*

$1,177,903†

In 2000 and 2001 only sockeye were harvested
*Individual fish † Revenue to the local economy

Year in Review
During the reporting period, Nisga’a Fisheries
Management Program conducted stock and habitat
assessment and enhancement, sockeye lake studies,
chinook/coho escapement studies, catch monitoring
for salmon and non-salmon species, sport fishery
monitoring, stock indicator studies, and a patrol
charter for the commercial fishery. British Columbia
granted $18,000 to NLG for a Nass River Steelhead
Radio Telemetry study to be initiated in the
summer of 2005.
During the 2004 season, 370 Individual Sale fishing
permits were sold to Nisga’a citizens. An additional
67 Individual Sale permits were issued to elders
free of charge. A total of 110,545 salmon were
caught, which represents $846,778 in revenue
to Nisga’a fishers. The Communal Sales Fishery
harvested 32,031 salmon, generating $340,809 for
Nisga’a Fisheries. The domestic food fishery
totalled 40,657 salmon.
Immediately after the Effective Date of the Nisga’a
Final Agreement, Nisga’a Fisheries Ltd. entered into a
five-year agreement with Canadian Fishing Company
to purchase Nisga’a salmon. During the reporting
period, Nisga’a Fisheries concluded negotiations for
a new five-year sale/purchase agreement.

Goals
> Remain within the 2004 chinook allocation.
> Continue assessment of smaller Nass Area
stocks of sockeye.
> Ensure the fishery is managed so that
harvests for domestic purposes have priority
over harvests for sale.
> Maximize the value of harvests.
> Provide opportunities for communal fisheries
where salmon may be sold for the benefit
of the Nisga’a Nation.
> Maximize employment for Nisga’a citizens.

H a’a m wil . . . dim g
a
n
dip
di’a
k
-

creating wealth... this will hel
to stand on our own.
18

k- hlk w hl dim lip hitguË .

lp us achieve the freedom

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19

As softwood lumber markets improve, NLG is working
to ensure forest employment will be available on
a seasonal and permanent basis on Nisga’a Lands.
Opportunities will include positions in silviculture,
logging, hauling, engineering, timber development,
quality control, scaling, road and bridge maintenance,
and management.

In February 2005, the Forest Practices Board completed
its fourth annual audit of forest planning and practices
on Nisga’a Lands. The Board reported that the timber
harvesting, silviculture, road maintenance and forest
health activities carried out by licencees complied in
all significant respects with the requirements of the
Forest Practices Code and the Nisga’a Final Agreement.
However, the report did raise concerns about the
timely fulfilment of New Skeena Forest Products (NSF)
existing obligations and these concerns are shared
by British Columbia.

20

20,352 †
2004

41,646 †
2003

Under the authority of the Nisga’a Forest Act, harvesting took place on seven cut blocks and a Harvest
Billing System report shows that 20,352 cubic metres
of wood were harvested, using a combination of
conventional and helicopter logging. This represented
more than 500 truckloads.

2000

Poor global market conditions, limited local processing
facilities, and the ongoing softwood lumber dispute
between Canada and the U.S. continued to have a
negative impact on the forest industry in northwest
British Columbia.

59,557 *

Year in Review

2002

During the first five years of the treaty, control of
timber harvesting and management on Nisga’a
Lands was transferred from British Columbia to
Nisga’a Lisims Government. During the transition
period, British Columbia licenced the harvest of
timber to forest companies who held licences
prior to the Effective Date of the Nisga’a Final
Agreement. Responsibility for the administration of
these licences was shared between British Columbia
and NLG. During the reporting period, NLG’s Forest
Resources Department worked to prepare for the
end of the transition period and full control of forest
resources in May 2005.

74,469 *

Forestry Transition Period

For the reporting period, for timber harvested
on Nisga’a Lands, British Columbia transferred
quarterly Same Economic Position (SEP) payments
totalling $654,130.48 to Nisga’a Lisims Government.
Under the SEP arrangement, NLG receives payments
equivalent to those it would have received if it had
managed the timber harvest itself.

2001

Under the Nisga’a Final Agreement, the Nisga’a
Nation has control over its lands and forests.
Nisga’a Lisims Government is managing the harvest
of forest products on Nisga’a Lands to provide
employment for Nisga’a people today and for
future generations.

The Kalum Forest District continues to monitor and
report on the state of the roads and cut-blocks and
worked closely with Nisga’a Lisims Government
to deal with this matter. As part of the plan, all
roads will be assessed and repaired during the next
reporting period.

99,588 *

Building a Sustainable
Forest Industry

cubic metres of timber
harvested since 2000
*155,000 cu m allowable harvest
†
135,000 cu m allowable harvest

Lisims Forest Resources Ltd.

Goals

In 2003, Nisga’a Lisims Government created
Lisims Forest Resources Ltd. to manage the forest
resources on Nisga’a Lands. A business plan has
been developed and operation will commence at
the end of the Forest Transition Period (May 2005).
During the reporting period, marketing arrangements were made between Lisims Forest Resources
and Alcan Forest Products, which has experience
selling forest products to China, Japan, and Korea.

> Increase employment.

Botanical Forest Products

Managing Nisga’a Lands

Pine mushroom harvesting is regulated and
monitored on Nisga’a Lands through the sale of
permits to Nisga’a and non-Nisga’a harvesters
and buyers. Each fall since 1988, pine mushroom
harvesting has been a significant contributor to
the Nisga’a economy. NLG’s 2004 Botanical Forest
Products Management Plan identified three objectives: sustainable management, compliance with
Nisga’a legislation, and increased awareness of the
economic opportunities of mushroom harvesting
among Nisga’a citizens.

The Lands Department of Nisga’a Lisims Government
is entrusted with the resources of Nisga’a Lands,
excluding forests, fish, and wildlife. The Lands
Department works to ensure that management of
Nisga’a Lands is economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable, and that the Nisga’a Nation
receives the best and highest return on its interests.

Revenue generated from the 2004 season dropped
significantly from the previous year. This is attributable
to the shorter season and reduced buyer activity.
In addition, international mushroom prices fell to
unprecedented low levels. These factors, along
with an oversupply in southern British Columbia,
contributed to a negative result for the season.
Lisims Forest Resources is working with Misty
Mountain Industries of Richmond to increase the
value of botanical forest products collected on
Nisga’a Lands. During the reporting period, the
partners successfully implemented a pilot project
that helped hire pickers and outlined objectives
for the 2005 season.

mushrooms harvested since 2000
2000

13,620 kg

2001

27,216 kg

$1.3 million

2002

23,000 kg

$1.0 million

2003

45,360 kg

$1.0 million

2004

12,000 KG

$0.15 million

Kilograms harvested
Revenue to the local economy

22

$0.4 million

> Increase value-added opportunities for
non-timber forest products.
> Upgrade, maintain, and construct infrastructure
to allow harvest operations.
> Increase utilization of timber products.
> Increase harvesting of botanical forest products.

Year in Review
During the reporting period, there were two
prominent applications for use of Nisga’a Lands:
an application for a licence of occupation for a fish
landing site and an application for a licence of
occupation for a small agricultural farm and greenhouse. The first was approved and the second will be
considered for approval in the next fiscal year.
British Columbia environmental assessments for
land use on Crown lands within or abutting the
Nass Area began on the following projects: Klappan
Coal, Bear River Gravel, and Swamp Point Gravel.
All three assessments are in preliminary stages.
NLG will be monitoring the environmental
assessment process to ensure Nisga’a interests
are not affected. NLG may become more involved
as the assessment moves forward. (See “Protecting
the Environment,” pg. 30).
During the reporting period, British Columbia
completed a survey of portions of Nisga’a Lands
boundaries and awarded survey contracts for
the Nisga’a Highway Corridor and Nisga’a Lands
boundaries.

Hydroelectric Potential
The Nisga’a Nation holds two water reservations
on Nisga’a Lands for a period of 20 years after the
Effective Date of the Nisga’a Final Agreement: the
Nisga’a Water Reservation (for domestic, industrial
and agricultural purposes), and the Nisga’a Hydro
Power Reservation (which covers all the unrecorded
waters of all streams — other than the Nass River —
that are wholly or partially within Nisga’a Lands).
NLG’s Lands and Resources Department has been
collecting water flow data on a number of streams
to determine the feasibility of both domestic and
commercial “green” hydroelectric projects. During
the reporting period, it was determined that two
streams are suitable for development under the
Nisga’a Hydro Power Reservation.
With energy generating capacity, Nisga’a communities
would have an important asset to attract business to
the Nass Valley. This project has the potential to not
only meet the electricity needs of the Nisga’a Nation,
but also provide NLG with the opportunity to sell
surplus power back to the provincial grid.

Goals
> Develop a pesticide use policy.
> Finalize the Nisga’a Lands boundary surveys.
> Clearly mark the outer Nisga’a Lands boundary
where it crosses roads.
> Erect entrance portals on the Nisga’a Highway
on both the route to Terrace and at Gingolx.
> Continue to explore the feasibility of
hydroelectric development.

Valley were in poor condition and road access to the
village of Gingolx (Kincolith) was non-existent. The
Nisga’a Nation negotiated an independent agreement with British Columbia to address transportation
needs. British Columbia has allocated $52 million to
upgrade and pave the Nisga’a Highway from Lava
Lake to New Aiyansh, Nass Camp, and Lax-galts’ap.
At the end of the reporting period, $41 million of the
total had been spent.
Canada, British Columbia, and the Nisga’a Nation
together funded $34 million to construct a new
28-kilometre gravel highway from Lax-galts’ap to
Kincolith. The new highway was open to the public
in December 2002. The highway to Kincolith has
since been upgraded with a seal coat surface to
reduce maintenance costs.
These infrastructure projects have brought employment and new skills to Nisga’a communities — skills
that are being put to work both at home and outside the Nass Valley. Highway construction projects
continue to provide employment for Nisga’a citizens
as labourers, heavy equipment operators, flag
persons, and in provisioning construction camps.
Up to 60% of the jobs created have been filled by
Nass Valley residents.

Goals
The final phase of the Nisga’a Highway Upgrade
Project is budgeted at $10.5 million. This work,
slated for completion in spring 2006, includes:
> Grade work and paving – Lava Beds to
Nass Camp (42 km)
> Paving – West end of Lava Beds to
Kwinyarh Creek (7.285 km)
> Paving – Nisga’a Highway to Gitwinksihlkw
Village boundary (1.5 km)

Investing in
Infrastructure
Building infrastructure — particularly roads — is
critical to the development of the Nisga’a Nation.
Improving transportation increases safety, strengthens
ties between Nisga’a communities and the outside
world, and promotes economic development.

> Paving – Nisga’a Highway to New Aiyansh
Village boundary (0.7 km)
> Paving – Nisga’a Highway into Nass Camp
(0.8 km)

Before the conclusion of negotiations for the Nisga’a
Final Agreement, the existing roads into the Nass

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Promoting Tourism

External Opportunities

Nisga’a Lands abound with tourism potential —
soaring mountains, dramatic lava beds, picturesque
fjords, and thriving rivers and streams. The natural
beauty of Nisga’a Lands is complemented by the
Nisga’a Nation’s rich cultural traditions. With the
improvements to the Nisga’a Highway and the
completion of the extension to Kincolith, visitors
are arriving from across Canada and around the
world to explore Nisga’a Lands and the Nass Area.

During the reporting period, representatives of
Nisga’a Lisims Government met a new neighbour,
the purchaser of Kitsault, an unoccupied town
located within the Nass Wildlife Area. A decommissioned mining town, Kitsault is only 40 kilometres
(as the crow flies) from New Aiyansh and is accessed
by road through Nisga’a Lands. Under the Nisga’a
Final Agreement, the Nisga’a Nation has certain
rights and interests throughout this general area,
including the fee simple ownership of adjacent
lands, access rights, fish and wildlife harvesting
rights, backcountry recreation tenures, commercial
recreation areas, and environmental assessment
and protection rights.

Anhluut’ukwsim Lax-mihl
Angwinga’asanskwhl Nisga’a
Nisga’a Memorial Lava Bed Park
Nisga’a Memorial Lava Bed Park is a Class “A” provincial
park that encompasses 179 square kilometres. The park
is jointly managed by the Nisga’a Nation and British
Columbia, and each party appoints three members
as their representatives on a Joint Park Management
Committee. British Columbia funds an agreement for
services and maintenance within the park. The agreement is valued at $40,000 annually, plus revenues.
British Columbia is also seeking a partnership to create
a lava bed entrance portal with a carved totem pole.
This two-to-three-year project will be funded, in part,
by British Columbia.

Goals

The number of campers visiting the park increased
for the third year in a row.

> Increase the number of visitors to the
Nisga’a Nation.

Commercial Recreation Tenure

> Create an entrance portal at Nisga’a
Memorial Lava Bed Park.

The Nisga’a Nation has a Commercial Recreation
Tenure within the Nass Area for a term of 27 years
which commenced immediately after the Effective
Date of the Nisga’a Final Agreement. To capitalize
on this opportunity, Nisga’a Lisims Government has
developed a management plan and has consulted
with Ecotrust Canada to determine the best way
of moving forward. Ecotrust Canada has proposed
conducting a workshop with tourism specialists
and interested Nisga’a citizens and government
members. Goals of the workshop will include
identifying the components that would constitute
the Nisga’a Nation’s tourism industry, estimate cost
and feasibility, and create a three-year plan.

24

Kitsault could prove to be an excellent base for
wilderness tourism and offer good partnership
opportunities for Nisga’a citizens and other
residents of northwest British Columbia. The new
owner was presented with a copy of NLG’s Commercial
Recreation Tenure Management Plan and a positive
working relationship was established. Nisga’a Lisims
Government looks forward to working with the owner
of Kitsault in realizing the potential of the region.

> Identify targets and goals and produce a
three-year plan with Ecotrust Canada.
> Explore tourism partnerships throughout
northwest British Columbia.

•
Magoonhl Lisims
headwaters
of the
Nass River

Nass Area

•

Canada

USA

i�

n

Alice Arm

• • Kitsault

Area of Detail

British Columbia

nd
Ca
na
l

• • Terrace

Por
tla

Nass Area

•Vancouver

Gitwinksihlkw
Nass River
Lax- galts’ap
Gingolx
-

•

Area of Detail

Roads and Highways
Nisga’a Highway
¯
Nisga’a Highway Kincolith
¯
Extension
Project

Nass Area
(includes Nass Wildlife Area)

• •New Aiyansh

•

Terrace

•

Nisga’a Memorial Lava Bed Park
¯
(Anhluut’ukwsim
Laxmihl
Angwinga’asanskwhl¯ Nisga’a)
¯

Nass Wildlife Area
(includes Nisga’a Lands)
¯

Gingietl Creek
Ecological Reserve No. 115

Nisga’a Lands
¯

Waterways

This map is not to scale and is for general information purposes only. Within the area of detail there are private lands owned by the Nisga’a Nation and others (not shown).
-

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25

3

supporting community well-being
Responsibilit y for the well-being of others has always been
par amount in Nisga’a culture. The Nisga’a Final Agreement
allows Nisga’a people to once again meet that responsibilit y
in cultur ally appropriate ways.

programs and services
Under the Nisga’a Final Agreement, Nisga’a Lisims
Government manages an array of social services
and programs, including health, education, and
child and family services. Together with Canada
and British Columbia, Nisga’a Lisims Government
is investing in Nisga’a communities by developing
and strengthening these programs.
“It is our responsibility to ensure quality, healthy
living in our midst. This is achieved by helping each
other and showing kindness to each other.”
— Ayuuk-hl Nisga’a

Nisga’a Child and Family
Services
Nisga’a Lisims Government provides service
options to ensure the protection and well-being of
Nisga’a children consistent with both the Ayuuk-hl
Nisga’a and British Columbia statutes and policies.
By maintaining the Nisga’a family through the
utilization of the Ayuuk, Nisga’a Child and Family

26

Services (NCFS) hopes to ensure the spiritual,
physical, mental, emotional, and cultural wellbeing of all Nisga’a children.
NCFS provides support services for families, which
promote sound parenting practices and respite
care. Voluntary Care Agreements allow parents to
place their children in a safe, approved home for
a temporary period if they are unable to care for
their children during medical treatment or training.
Special Needs Agreements provided by NCFS ensure
the safe care of children with special needs.
NCFS approves and provides ongoing support payments to adults who provide foster care for Nisga’a
children, on both a temporary and permanent basis,
in Nisga’a Family Care Homes. NCFS also provides
family support services, a recreation program, youth
worker program, community workshops, a speech
therapist, Drug Awareness Resistance Education,
and a psychologist.

Since the Effective Date of the treaty, NCFS has:
> directly served 400 Nisga’a children
> opened 90 Nisga’a care homes
> opened two Nisga’a Family Care Homes
> invested in youth centres in each community
> launched a summer daycare program, and
> provided wilderness excursions for high-risk youth.

Goals
> Complete transfer of delegated services from
British Columbia, including voluntary services,
guardianship services, and child protection.

by the village social development departments. Programs include: Basic Needs, Special Needs, Guardian
Financial Assistance, Adult In-Home Care, National
Child Benefit Reinvestment, Training Employment
Support Initiatives, Family Violence Prevention, and
Community Support Services.
The following programs are funded directly through
Nisga’a Child and Family Services: Family Support
Services, Recreation Program, Youth Worker Program,
Community Preventative Services, and Community
Workshops.
During the reporting period, the four Nisga’a
communities reported 534,726 community contact
hours with children and youth.

> Initiate child welfare legislation.

Goals

> Negotiate delegation agreements for adoptions
from British Columbia.

> Continue to build capacity.

> Transfer other services for children and
families from British Columbia to Nisga’a
Child and Family Services.
> Ensure allied services (family advocate, speech
therapist, addiction counsellor) are in place for
children and families.
> Achieve a levelling off — if not a reduction —
in the use of guardianship services over the
next five years, as the education and prevention
programs take effect and incidences of child
abuse and neglect diminish.

> Improve program accountability through information management service standardization.
> Conduct a comprehensive evaluation of social
development programs.
> Develop a joint strategic plan for social
development programs.
> Conduct compliance reviews with village
program administrators every three years.
> Provide training for social development staff
within the four Nisga’a communities.

Healthcare Development
and Service Delivery

Social Development
and Services
Nisga’a Lisims Government is committed to
supporting healthy and economically prosperous
Nisga’a communities where children, youth, and
adults have hope and opportunities, and access to
a safety net that ensures a healthy living standard.
NLG assists persons living on Nisga’a Lands by providing equitable access to services while ensuring
a basic standard of living. This is accomplished by
developing individual and family strengths, and by
providing access to services that will enhance their
self-sufficiency.
Eight social development programs are funded
through the Fiscal Financing Agreement (FFA), with
the intent that services are reasonably comparable
to those available to residents elsewhere in northwest British Columbia. All programs are delivered

The Nisga’a Valley Health Board was created in 1979.
During the 1990’s, Canada transferred health service
responsibility to the Nisga’a Tribal Council. In 2000,
the Nisga’a Final Agreement placed healthcare
provision almost completely within the jurisdiction
of Nisga’a Lisims Government. By then, the Nisga’a
Tribal Council had developed one of the most
progressive, efficient, and effective First Nations
healthcare organizations in Canada.
Since the treaty, Nisga’a Valley Health Board has
evolved into the Nisga’a Valley Health Authority
(NVHA) and provides physician services, lab and X-ray,
treatment, public health, community health nursing,
dental services, mental health services, home care,
cultural community health representatives, and the
administration of all Non-Insured Health Benefits.
With its mission of Dax-gadim G-andidils, “Healthy

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27

Bodies/Healthy Minds,” NVHA encourages illness
prevention, focuses on education and individual
empowerment, and promotes interdisciplinary
approaches, including traditional practices.
The Nisga’a Valley Health Authority is committed
to providing the best healthcare services within its
allocated budget. This process has become more
challenging and the negative effects of service
reductions are beginning to be seen. Increased client
usage, suicides and attempted suicides, an increase
in high-risk behaviours, and destructive addictions
continue to burden the system.
To meet these challenges, NVHA is developing a
Nisga’a National Health Plan to reflect the overall
health priorities of Nisga’a people and non-Nisga’a
residents. The plan identifies milestones at five-,
ten-, fifteen-, and twenty-year intervals, and focuses
on three streams: chronic disease, mental health,
and youth issues.

Goals
> Complete and launch the Nisga’a National
Health Plan.
> Develop a Community Health Plan to align
services with the national plan.
> Stabilize and then further develop the
Nisga’a Nation’s healthcare system.

Improving Primary
and Secondary Education
On Nisga’a Lands, K-12 education is provided by British
Columbia through provincial School District 92 (Nisga’a).
The school board consists of four Nisga’a members and
one non-Nisga’a member. Nisga’a Lisims Government
works in partnership with the district to foster and protect Nisga’a language and culture while seeking to raise
the standard of education for all Nass Valley youth.
The Student Success/Literacy Initiative began in
2001 and is grounded in “balanced literacy,” which
helps ensure students develop a broad range of
literacy abilities in spoken language, reading, and
writing. A balanced literacy program, combined with
technology, has also assisted students with special
needs to be more successful in school.

28

Other literacy initiatives include: Wireless Writers
Program, which combines writing and technology
to increase computer literacy; and the summer Rec’
and Read Program for grades 1–3, which promotes
recreational reading.
Throughout the district, British Columbia Performance
Standards are used to assess students’ writing ability
in the fall and spring. Students of School District 92
have improved on both provincial and district assessments. Over the past four years, the percentage of
students meeting or exceeding expectations in reading comprehension on the provincial Foundation Skills
Assessment has increased as follows:
> Grade 4 – increased from 32% in 2002–2003
to 56% in 2004–2005
> Grade 7 – increased from 15% in 2002–2003
to 27% in 2004–2005
The percentage of Nisga’a students graduating from
high school continues to rise. The provincial average
of Aboriginal completion is 48%. School District 92 is
performing well above that average at 63% Aboriginal
completion in 2004–2005. This is a 9% increase from
last year and a 21% increase since the Effective Date of
the Nisga’a Final Agreement (school year 2000–2001).
Adults are also taking up the challenge of obtaining their high school completion certificates. Each
Nisga’a Village has a school district adult education
centre. These centres have become significant
community assets with qualified, dedicated staff
and more than 100 students enrolled.

Goals
> Continue to improve the academic results
of students.
> Continue to expand Nisga’a language instruction.
> Improve computer literacy.
> Enhance programs for adults who wish to obtain
their high school completion certificates.

Expanding Post-Secondary
Education
Wilp Wilx-o’oskwhl Nisga’a (Nisga’a House of Wisdom)
Institute offers Nisga’a-based post-secondary programs in Nisga’a communities and Urban Societies.
Serving both Nisga’a and non-Nisga’a students,
Wilp Wilx-o’oskwhl Nisga’a (WWN) partners with a
number of public institutions for the delivery of
programs. Scholars from around the world have
come to the Nass Valley to study at this institution
of higher learning.
Through a federation agreement with the University
of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), WWN offers
a Bachelor of Arts in First Nations Studies-Nisga’a,
a Northern Advancement Program that helps new
university entrants prepare for academic success,
and an Education Diploma in Nisga’a Language
and Culture. Through an affiliation agreement with
Northwest Community College, WWN also offers
vocational and technical training, Grade 12 achievement, university/college preparation, Carpentry/
Timber Framing, and continuing education programs.
Since 1994, WWN students have gone on to earn
19 Bachelor of Arts degrees, one Bachelor of
Commerce degree, 36 Nisga’a Studies certificates,
25 First Nations Studies certificates, and one
First Nations Language certificate.
During the reporting period, WWN was busy
developing plans for its next ten years, including
a plan to build a campus complete with faculty
and student housing and daycare facilities. WWN
continued course development in the First Nations
Studies program and expanded vocational, technical, and trades programs. WWN is also exploring
the development of new programs, such as Nisga’a
Recreation and Tourism, Early Childhood Education,
and Archival and Curatorial Studies.
WWN’s annual budget is $ 1.3 million. Under the
terms of the Nisga’a Fiscal Financing Agreement,
British Columbia contributed $226,000 and Canada
contributed $251,650 to Wilp Wilx-o’oskwhl Nisga’a
for the support of post-secondary education and
training programs. Additionally, Canada contributed $158,700 through the Indian Studies Support
Program while British Columbia, in partnership with
UNBC, contributed a further $81,000.

Ensuring Access to Justice
Nisga’a Lisims Government’s Access to Justice
Department supports Nisga’a citizens in the
prevention and resolution of conflicts through
increased awareness of Ayuuk-hl Nisga’a and
Canadian laws and legal processes. Funded by
Canada, the Access to Justice Department works
in partnership with other organizations and
manages the following programs.
The Aboriginal Justice Program is designed to assist
in the monitoring of adults on supervision orders
with British Columbia’s Corrections Branch, liaise
and maintain communication between Nisga’a
communities and personnel in the Canadian justice
system, access community needs in the area of
justice, and explore ways to meet those needs. The
Aboriginal Justice Program encourages the revival
of Nisga’a traditional ways of dealing with conflict
and ensures Nisga’a communities have access to
relevant legal information and services.
The Yuuhlimk’askw Program is offered to Nisga’a
communities to provide culturally appropriate alternative justice solutions. Yuuhlimk-’askw (a Nisga’a way
of counselling, guiding, cautioning, and supporting
community members) is a proactive approach which
involves the community in exploring the underlying
causes of behavioural problems.
The Lisims Nass Valley RCMP Victim Services Program
provides a source of emotional support to victims
of crime in their recovery and involvement with the
justice process, information about the justice system,
and liaison with Crown Counsel to assist with court
orientation.

Goals
> Encourage and facilitate access to the
Yuuhlimk-’askw Program in dealing with conflicts
between individuals and their families.
> Develop a public legal education strategy.
> Develop legal advocacy services.

Nisga’a Lisims Government also funds Nisga’a
students pursuing post-secondary education
throughout British Columbia and North America.

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4

Protecting the Environment
A s t he Nisg a’a N at ion ch a r t s a cour se for sus ta in a bl e
de v el opmen t, one of i t s guiding pr incipl e s is a commi t men t
t o en v ironmen ta l s t e wa r dship. Nisg a’a L isims Go v er nmen t
w or k s w i t h C a n a d a a nd Br i t ish Col umbi a t o s a fegu a r d t he
Nisg a’a N at ion ’ s n at ur a l r e source s for pr e sen t a nd
fu t ur e gener at ions .

Forest Stewardship
Ecological sustainability is a prime consideration in
the development and approval of all operations within
Nisga’a Lands and the Nisga’a Forest Act sets high
standards to maintain biodiversity. The Nisga’a Final
Agreement requires that forest practices meet or
exceed existing British Columbia standards.
This involves implementing a total, integrated, and
quantifiable forest management program, developing
strategies to meet the requirements set in the
Nisga’a Forest Act and Land Use Plans.

Wildlife Management
Nisga’a hunting rights can be exercised in the
16,101 square kilometre Nass Wildlife Area. The Nass
Wildlife Committee, a tripartite body created under
the Nisga’a Final Agreement, provides advice about
wildlife management and harvest within the Nass
Wildlife Area. British Columbia uses this information
to establish annual harvest levels and approve the
annual Nass Wildlife Management Plan.
Nisga’a Lisims Government manages wildlife for
long-term health and vitality. Moose, mountain goat,
and grizzly bear have been identified as “Initial
Designated Species” and the Nisga’a Nation receives

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an annual hunting allocation of these species.
Nisga’a citizens have the right to hunt other
wildlife species in accordance with the Nisga’a Final
Agreement, subject to conservation and laws for
the purpose of public health and safety. Holders
of traplines both outside and within Nisga’a
Lands continue to exercise their trapping rights
in accordance with federal and provincial laws of
general application.
During the reporting period, British Columbia
granted $90,000 to NLG for a moose population
survey to be conducted in 2006.

Klappan Coal

Swamp Point Aggregate
Mine Project
During the reporting period, NLG’s Lands and
Fisheries staff and representatives from British
Columbia met with Ascot Resources Ltd., the
proponents of the Swamp Point project. The proposal includes the extraction of 3,000,000 tonnes
of gravel per year from Portland Canal for export
to California. British Columbia and NLG reviewed
the proposal, and outlined the environmental
assessment process and related provisions of the
Nisga’a Final Agreement.
Although the project is estimated to provide fulltime
employment for between 25 and 35 people, NLG will
only approve the project if it meets strict guidelines
for environmental protection. If the project passes
the environmental review, construction of infrastructure is scheduled to begin in 2006. Both NLG Lands
and Fisheries staff will continue to participate in the
Environmental Assessment Working Group.

Although this project is located outside the
Nass Area on the opposite side of Mount Klappan
from Magoonhl Lisims (Nass Lake), NLG will be
monitoring this environmental assessment process
to ensure Nisga’a interests are not affected. NLG
may become more involved as the assessment
moves forward.

Offshore Oil and
Gas Agreement
During the reporting period, the Nisga’a Nation
and the Province of British Columbia signed a
‘Protocol Respecting Offshore Oil and Gas.’ Further
discussions are anticipated to determine next
steps under the Protocol. The Protocol expires on
December 31, 2006.
In addition, dialogue amongst NLG, British Columbia,
and Canada has been established and is ongoing.

Bear River Gravel
At the end of the reporting period, Nisga’a Lisims
Government was notified of the environmental
assessment of this project. NLG will fully participate
in the assessment process to ensure Nisga’a Lands,
fish, and wildlife are fully protected.

Dim a a m a-g a’atdiËhl h ańiijok t g un a . . . t x a a ńitk w shl
- yat s ’isk w, t x a a ńi t k w shl w il k si- g a l g ol hl a k s a hl
t x a p ’a x -k ’a lii-a k sk w, ii t s ’ ee t s ’ ik s t gun a w il ńii-w il iË
- g a ns dip ńisiË . W e mus t ta k e c a r e of t his E a r t h —
a l l t he a nim a l s , e v er y s t r e a m in t he va l l e y — a nd
t his l a nd on w hich you a nd I l i v e .
— Ayuuk-hl Nisga’a

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Lisims Fisheries Conservation Trust
Nisga’a Fisheries applies the highest possible standards in the areas of conservation and environmental
protection to ensure a healthy, productive aquatic ecosystem for the benefit of present and future
generations of all people. This commitment is ensured, in part, by the Lisims Fisheries Conservation
Trust. Managed by trustees appointed by the NLG and Canada, the Lisims Trust promotes conservation
and protection of Nass Area fish species; facilitates sustainable management, watershed restoration,
and wildlife habitat restoration; and supports Nisga’a participation in fisheries stewardship for the
benefit of all Canadians.

5

Safeguarding a Culture
Nisg a’a Lisims Go v er nmen t is commi t t ed t o pro t ec t ing a nd
promo t ing Nisg a’a cult ur e in a l l a spec t s of communi t y
de v el opmen t. T he Ay uuk hl Nisg a’a , a l ong w i t h t he w isdom
of t he el der s , for ms t he found at ion of Nisg a’a cult ur e .

Ayuuk hl Nisga’a Department
The Ayuuk-hl Nisga’a Department (AND) was
created to protect, preserve, and promote Nisga’a
language, culture, and history. The department’s
vision is to ensure Nisga’a people are spiritually,
socially, economically, and politically healthy, and
empowered by a thorough understanding of what
it means to be Nisga’a.
“We must take great care of our own way of life —
which is based on the Nisga’a Ayuuk — for we have
a responsibility to ensure that it is passed on, as it
should be, to our children who follow behind us...
Attend public functions, so that you may hear the
wisdom of the people who speak. Knowledge and
wisdom, counsel and guidance, are what stabilize
the community and the (Nass) valley.”
— Ayuuk-hl Nisga’a
The work of AND supports the cultural integrity of
every program and service delivered through Nisga’a
Lisims Government. This is achieved by preserving
the past and ensuring that Nisga’a knowledge
and traditions inform government practices. AND
provides interpretation of Nisga’a language and
culture, empowering Nisga’a people with a broader
understanding of their unique identity.

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> resource support for various NLG committees
> liaison and negotiations with the Royal British
Columbia Museum, the Royal Ontario Museum,
and the Smithsonian Institute, and
> research and production of books on key
aspects of Nisga’a culture.
During the reporting period, portions of the
Ayuuk-hl Nisga’a were transcribed for the first time.
An oral heritage, the Ayuuk has been passed down
from generation to generation through the spoken
word. Nisga’a Lisims Government, recognizing that
most Nisga’a people no longer speak the Nisga’a
language, moved to preserve this unique legacy
while the full knowledge and nuance of the
language is still present in Nisga’a communities.
This process helps safeguard Nisga’a heritage for
future generations.

Goals

This is achieved through:

> Increase use of AND services by all
Nisga’a departments.

> development and maintenance of a catalogue
system for Nisga’a archives

> Complete the development of the
archival catalogue system.

> resource and administrative support for the
Council of Elders

> Develop additional documentation
of Nisga’a traditions.

Cult ur a l ly, our young peopl e a r e r e v i v ing d a nce s
a nd t r a di t ions t h at h av en ’ t been seen for fif t y y e a r s .
T he y d a nce a nd wa l k in bo t h w or l ds .

pr esiden t Nel son l eeson
s i m o o g i t a x l a awa a l s
n i s g a’a l i s i m s g o v e r n m e n t

The Nisga’a Final Agreement is British Columbia’s first modern treaty. A landmark in the relationship
between Canada and its First Nations peoples, the treaty went into effect on May 11, 2000.
The governments of Canada, British Columbia, and the Nisga’a Nation are parties to the Nisga’a Final
Agreement, which sets out Nisga’a Lands and the Nisga’a people’s right of self-government. Because
three governments share responsibility for implementing the treaty, an Implementation Committee
was formed to provide a forum for sharing information and ideas, and to ensure the treaty’s
implementation. This report summarises the progress made in the fifth year of the treaty, from
April 1, 2004 to March 31, 2005.

Black

Published under the authority of Nisga’a Lisims Government, the Province of British Columbia, and the
Government of Canada. New Aiyansh, British Columbia, Victoria, British Columbia, Ottawa, Ontario
qs-b010-020-000-ee-a1 catalogue: r1-17/2005e isbn: 0-662-42563-4
www.nisgaalisims.ca
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www.ainc-inac.gc.ca

www.gov.bc.ca/arr