News
Follow the links below for a couple of articles from the Nanwakolas Council on what Tlowitsis Guardians have been up to in Tlowitsis territories over the past few months.
News
The Tlowitsis Nation is hosting two public Open House meetings regarding their proposed Ga-guump farm site, located in the Chatham Channel area of their traditional territory
The two Open House sessions will be held on November 30,2021. The first session will be virtual and run from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The link for the virtual meeting is https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NAYRiAMCRJKknteLDrjB2g
The second session will be held in-person at the Port McNeill Community Centre, located at 1473 Broughton Boulevard. It will run from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Both meetings will feature a short presentation by Tlowitsis Nation Chief John Smith, a question-and-answer period, and will have information stations/tables.
Representatives from the Tlowitsis’ farming partner – Grieg Seafood BC Ltd. will be in attendance to answer questions and share information. Both sessions will be facilitated to ensure questions are heard and everyone is able to participate. In compliance with the Province of BC Provincial Health Orders, proof of vaccination must be shown before entry to the in-person session and a mask must be worn at all times.
Event Details
Virtual Session – 3:00 p.m.— 5:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m.: Session starts
3:05 p.m.: Presentations
3:45 onward: Open questions and information station
5:00 pm.: Meeting ends
In-person session – 6:00 p.m.— 8:00 p.m.
6:00 p.m.: Doors open
6:15 p.m.: Presentation
6:45 onward: Open questions and information stations
8:00 pm.: Meeting ends
For more information, please contact Amy Jonsson, Communications Director for Grieg Seafood BC Ltd. at 250 287-0849.
If you cannot attend either session but would like to provide feedback or comments, please email: info@tlowitsisnation.ca
News
We are pleased to share this profile of our plans for Nenagwas from the National Observer.
News
February 26, 2021 — Campbell River, BC — Tlowitsis Nation — Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada — British Columbia Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
The governments of Canada, British Columbia and the Tlowitsis Nation have signed a new agreement that will further advance reconciliation and treaty negotiations.
News
The Tlowitsis Nation is beginning its detailed design of the infrastructure needed for the development of our subdivision. Our engineering contractor is developing all the detailed designs for Nenagwas. Road systems, water distribution, electric and other utilities. Lot development.
Waste Water Treatment; we have hired one of the best consulting firm that is designing the state-of-the-art Wastewater treatment plant that will be built on the reserve.
It will be fully automated; it will meet or exceed the regulatory conditions of effluent discharge. The plant will remove solids, the cleaned effluent will pass through micro screen filters system and a UV light system that will sanitize the effluent before final discharge.
We have made an application the BC Municipal Wastewater Regulation for the permit. There is a long review process before we are issued a permit, we are confident that this project will meet the standards necessary for operation to begin.
Ocean Outfall; The cleaned effluent will discharge deep into the ocean approximately 3000m from the low-water mark and the discharge point will be 33m deep based on lowest tide. This process is being reviewed by Fisheries and Oceans, Navigable Waters and BC Municipal Wastewater Regulations, which require us to announce publicly in the local news paper. The consultants we have working on this portion of the project specialize in ocean outfall systems and has been doing this type work for many other communities.
We have made an application FLNRO for a License of Occupation for a foreshore lease for the laying of the ocean outfall discharge pipe.
This total system is being designed for the future, the amount of effluent in the first 10 years will be very low and will increase upon further development of Nenagwas. The wastewater treatment plant is being designed to handle the total capacity once Nenagwas is fully develop, which based on 30-35 years.
Land Prep; We are anticipating the bushing and clearing for the develop of Nenagwas sometime in June or August 2021. It will take 2 years construction of all the infrastructure before any of the housing development begins.
Contact Thomas Smith at the Tlowitsis office at 250-923-7815
Event
Tlowitsis First Nation publishes report highlighting important archeological sites throughout their territories. The work deepens cultural understanding and ensures protection of these places from human and natural disturbances.
Read the article: https://coastfunds.ca/news/tlowitsis-guardian-watchmen-map-sites-of-cultural-importance/
Event
Tlowitsis Guardians Archaeology Program – Click Here
News
Watch a new video about the work of the NVI Guardians. The Guardian program is one of many projects being implemented in the North Vancouver Island Marine Plan.
Keepers of the Coast from Josie Byington on Vimeo.
News
The new Recognition and Reconciliation of Rights Policy for Treaty Negotiations in British Columbia, ratified on September 4, 2019, was made possible due to this pre-existing, tripartite relationship between Canada, the Province of British Columbia and the First Nations Summit. The parties share the same goals to improve treaty negotiations in British Columbia. With both the federal government and the Province of British Columbia committing to implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action, the parties recognized the opportunity to make profound improvements to how treaty negotiations are approached in British Columbia.
The new BC-specific policy captures ongoing work and new innovations at negotiation tables across British Columbia. It also builds on the work of the 2016 “Multilateral Engagement process” and the more recent “Principals Accord” and draws on the experience gained by the negotiating parties since treaty negotiations began.
This BC-specific policy supports an approach to treaty negotiations based on the recognition of rights. A central feature of the BC-specific policy is that negotiations recognize the continuation of rights without modification, surrender or extinguishment when a treaty is reached. Under the BC-specific policy, future treaties, agreements and other constructive arrangements will set out guidelines for reconciling Crown and Indigenous rights based on co-existence that can evolve over time. It also provides greater flexibility to develop agreements incrementally in British Columbia.
For more information and a complete copy of the policy document, please visit the BC Government website
Event
The Tlowitsis Community Advisory Group (TCAG) joined Chief John Smith and Councillor John Smith for an emotional journey to Tlowitsis traditional territory. Most members on the trip were visiting Tlowitsis territory for the first time in their lives. The full-day voyage took TCAG members up Johnstone Strait, past Port Neville, and from Tlowitsis Island to Turnour Island, where the group stopped to visit Kalagwees, the site of our nation’s former winter village. Over eight hours on the water, TCAG members had a chance to see current Tlowitsis reserves, along with some of the vast lands currently under consideration as part of the Tlowitsis’ treaty negotiations with BC and Canada. The group was also thrilled to see a pod of orcas during their journey up Johnstone Strait, and a humpback whale on the return home. To view the photos from this special voyage, visit our photo gallery here