Category Archives: Indigenous Nations

Indigenous Nations, Rivers & Oceans

‘We’ll do it ourselves’: Weary of waiting on Ottawa, First Nation sets up marine protected area

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A First Nation in B.C. celebrated Indigenous Peoples Day by taking action where the federal government has not by establishing a new marine protected area in the Great Bear Coast. 

Kitasoo Xai’xais First Nation (KXFN) elected Chief Doug Neasloss and the nation’s hereditary chiefs formally and unilaterally announced the Gitdisdzu Lugyeks (Kitasu Bay) Marine Protected Area (MPA), a 33.5-square-kilometre ocean protection zone in their traditional territories near Laredo Sound, 500 kilometres north of Vancouver.

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Indigenous Nations

Klahoose Treaty Negotiations: Finalizing the offer

The Klahoose First Nation may be close to signing a treaty with the governments of British Columbia and Canada. 

In an email to the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) dated April 26, Jessica Jamieson, from BC’s Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, stated the Klahoose were to be provided with an offer of treaty land and cash this Spring.  This has been put on hold while the provincial government works with the Klahoose to secure one or more private parcels for the benefit of the Klahoose community.

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Cost of Climate Change, Indigenous Nations History

Ancient fish bones may help us adapt to climate change

Editor’s note: Quadra, Cortes and the other Discovery Islands were probably settled 13,000 years ago. The oldest known site, Yeatman Bay on Quadra Island, dates back about 11,000 years.

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The study of 5,000-year-old fish bones on the West Coast is revealing how Indigenous people adapted to warming oceans — information that could shape present day adaptations and fisheries management as the climate crisis advances, University of Victoria researchers say.

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Arts, Indigenous Nations

First Nation documentary examines impacts of Williston reservoir

By Tom Summer, Alaska Highway News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

For director Luke Gleeson, telling the story of his Tsay Keh Dene community and the impacts of the W.A.C Bennett Dam is of the utmost importance.

His new documentary, Dene Yi’injetl – The Scattering of Man, is the telling of a history very few know about, partly due to the remote location of the First Nation in Northern B.C., and finally being ready to tell their story. The film first premiered last November, has been showing at several film festivals, and will screen this Friday night in Dawson Creek.

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Indigenous languages

Province contributes new funding towards First Nations language and culture revitalization

By Melissa Renwick, Ha-Shilth-Sa, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

In lead up to National Indigenous Peoples Day, the province is supporting First Nations language and culture revitalization through nearly $35 million in new funding towards the First Peoples’ Cultural Council (FPCC) and the First Peoples Cultural Foundation (FPCF).

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