The Cheslatta Carrier Nation office is based at Southbank, on the south shore of Francois Lake, 23 kilometres south of Burns Lake. Many members of the Cheslatta Carrier Nation live on 17 Reserves scattered over a vast area known as the ‘Southside’. Other Cheslatta members have moved away from their traditional lands and now live with their families in places like Prince George, Vancouver and elsewhere.

Our nation is guided by our members and governed by a Chief and two Councillors. Chief Janet Whitford works with Councillors Hazel Burt and Teddy Jack, and a dynamic team of Cheslatta staff to provide services and support to Cheslatta members. They also work with governments and industry on matters of importance to the nation.

The Cheslatta Carrier Nation owns several businesses including the Pondosy Bay Resort, Cheslatta Marine Services, Cheslatta Logging and others which provide employment for members and revenues to support the nation.

NEW DAY AGREEMENT

History was made on February 27, 2020 when the Cheslatta Carrier Nation signed the New Day Agreement with Rio Tinto. The long-term partnership will support a strong future for the Cheslatta community and Rio Tinto’s hydroelectric operations in the Nechako Watershed.  The New Day Agreement will promote the social and economic well-being of the Cheslatta Carrier Nation through engagement in the areas of training, employment, business opportunities, and environmental stewardship. The New Day Agreement also establishes the New Day Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships for Cheslatta students of all ages.

BC SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

On March 29, 2019, the Cheslatta Carrier Nation and the Province of British Columbia signed agreements to address historic wrongs originating with construction of the Kenney Dam and creation of the Nechako Reservoir. In 1952, Cheslatta Carrier Nation members were evicted from their homes on two weeks’ notice and forcibly resettled outside their traditional territory. Their lands, village, cultural, and spiritual sites were then flooded to create the Nechako Reservoir which supplies water to the Kemano Generating Station to produce power for the aluminum smelter in Kitimat, BC. 

The Settlement Agreement received unanimous support from Cheslatta members during a ratification process concluded on March 14, 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic interfered with much of the planned work for 2020 but some progress was made on the implementation projects this year.  More work is planned for 2021 if conditions allow.

COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY PLAN (CCP)

The Comprehensive Community Plan was developed with help from our Membership to better solidify a vision and future for Cheslatta Carrier Nation. This plan was developed to:

• Assert our jurisdiction in our territory

• Set out our vision for the future

• Guide reconciliation discussions

• Guide the use of resources in our territory

• Identify steps to achieve the vision

Comprehensive Land Use Plan

Cheslatta Carrier Nation started the development of their Land Use Plan in 2018 through a community-centred process with the support of technical Contractors and completed the LUP in 2020.

The Land Use Plan currently outlines a wealth of community information and data about the community’s development and land use goals and interests. It also provides further direction on the additional land use planning work that needs to be completed.