> > > October 2008

The Nass Area Strategy: Planning for a Positive Future

The Nass Area covers almost 27,000 square kilometers. About 8% of this area is Nisga’a Lands. Nisga’a Lands roughly correspond to what people think of as the Nass Valley from Nass Camp to the coast. The Nation owns Nisga’a Lands and has control over development on them. The Nation also has substantial rights to consultation over proposed developments in the rest of the Nass Area. The Nass Area Strategy will make sure the Nation benefits from any development within the Nass Area. The strategy is a set of principles and a process. Both are based on the Nation’s rights under the Final Agreement. The Final Agreement requires that the Nation be consulted about proposed Nass Area developments. The Nation will use this opportunity to ensure that Nisga’a interests are protected. These interests will vary by project but will always include the rights set out in the Environment Chapter of the Final Agreement (Chapter 10). The Nation will not accept a trade off between environmental and economic benefits. In addition to the environmental rights explicitly guaranteed by the Final Agreement the Nation will also ensure these consultations protect our traditional uses of the land, traditional and modern harvesting practices and our land ownership and land use plans.

continued on the back page

The Nass Area (light gray) includes Nisga’a Lands (in dark grey). The Nation owns these lands and con-trols development on them. The Nation will be involved in any proposed development in the Nass Area.

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Traditional Talent

Fourteen Nisga’a youth in the Nass Valley will be finish-ing a pilot program aimed at building young entrepre-neurs for the area this month. With the help of facilita-tors, participants are learning the skills and qualities needed to be successful in today’s business.

The program started in the late spring. It includes eight days of instruction over the course of the program. Infor-mation is also available online.

Dr. Brent Mainprize is a faculty member at Royal Roads University who teaches entrepreneurship, new venture creation and business planning. He’s leading the pro-gram. Mainprize says the aim is to help build skills in the community to help the youth start thinking about launch-ing their own ventures and plugging into the opportunity offered in the Nass Valley. “The concept [of the program] is, most of these participants will launch a business out of this, if they haven’t done so already,” he said.

Mainprize says what has really been important is match-ing participants’ passions with their skillset. The facili-tators have been encouraging the participants to look inside themselves and find what their strengths and passions are. Next comes a way to make money out of it.

An important focus of the program is how to start busi-ness in the Nass Valley and keep the wealth the busi-ness creates in the community. Mainprize says there is no reason the youth can’t start businesses in the Nass and keep money in the area. Having these youth take

Developing Economic Opportunities for Youth

grow. In addition to business specific skills the program has also been exploring ways to provide pathways to education.

Some participants were already running successful busi-nesses and looking to find ways to expand while others were in the business planning stage.

The program was free of charge. There is the possibility of a followup camp next year, which may include Nisga’a youth not situated in the Nass Valley. Contact Paul Mer-cer at NLG for information.

an initiative will also set a good example for the younger generation - “We’re really looking at building economic capacity in the area”.

Everything changes quickly these days. Business owners will need new knowledge and skills so their business can

Dr. Brent Mainprize is working with the Nisga’a Lisims Government on a number of economic development initiatives including the Youth Entrepreneurship Program. While conventional wisdom would have it that entrepreneurs are born, not made, he believes that entrepreneur-ship can develop through practice, case studies, experience and mentoring.

Cherie Mercer is a smart and talented business woman who is turning her gift for designing and creating clothing, floral decorations and traditional aboriginal crafts into highly prized works of art. ‘Sky River Creations’ is Cherie’s business specializing in a wide selection of distinctive wreaths, crosses and heart shaped floral designs that express

sympathy and comfort to bereaved families. Her other specialties are her exclusive creations in traditional wearable art and unique fashionable clothing ranging from casual to elegant formal wear at affordable prices. Cherie won Nathan Cullen’s 2006 Entrepreneurship Award for the Nass Valley.

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Our Canoe Has LandedThe Nisga’a Museum will provide a fitting home for showcasing internationally significant Nisga’a artifacts. In addition, the museum will be a centre for research, learn-ing, and creating new works of art. Multipurpose space will host cultural performances and provide international researchers with the opportunity to conduct original research. The Nisga’a Museum is destined to become a focal point for cultural tourism in northwest British Columbia.

The building covers 10,000 square feet and will cost $6.5 million. The structure’s design is inspired by a tra-ditional canoe with oars in the water. The footprint (the shape of the floor) is that of a Nisga’a ceremonial food tray. The tall end of the building is covered in glass and will accommodate the 53 foot totem which is being re-patriated. The building includes permanent gallery space, a classroom, conference room, gift shop, cafeteria, of-fices and a storage and workshop area. The building and site design provide space for indoor and outdoor cultural events.

The museum will open in August 2010. Construction started earlier this fall. Preparing the site required mov-ing 17,000 cubic meters of gravel from the Grizzly Hill gravel pit to the site. This was one of the largest earth moving projects in the northwest in recent years. Con-crete will be poured this fall and construction will resume in the spring. Maximizing local participation during con-struction is an essential part of the project. This includes not only employment but also services and supplies.

Adapted from Soar, a publication of the Business Development Bank of Canada

Cherie has spent six months studying fashion design with Pamela Baker, a world-renowned fashion designer at the Touch of Culture Native Training Institute in North Vancouver. Cherie has also studied accounting and bookkeeping courses which provide valuable tools to manage her business. Cherie self-financed all the business equipment, tools and materials required for ‘Sky River Creations’, keeping the business in good financial standing. The

combination of today’s technology, her educational background and her innate expertise gives Cherie the skills and techniques to create her outstanding, handcrafted, one-of-a-kind designs. What used to be a weeks of work can now be accomplished in a few days using modern technology. It’s a busy time for Cherie. “We’re going to be working up to 2010,” she said.

During the earth moving, for example, every dump truck available in the valley was used, flaggers were local and supplies were bought in the valley. In fact most of the money spent moving the gravel was spent in the valley.

In addition to construction, work is also proceeding on the exhibit design. Fran Johnson of Ayuukhl Nisga’a

has been working with the exhibit designers to develop the museum’s theme. The museum will hold about 300 artifacts in its permanent collection. These pieces are being repatriated from the Royal BC Museum and the Canadian Museum of Civilization.

The museum will employ a full-time director and guides during the tourism season. The Capital Finance Commission is responsible for construction. A commit-tee which includes Fred Tolmie, Edmond Wright, Clayton Harmon, Fran Johnson and Dan Schweng administer the project on behalf of the commission.

Nass Area Strategycontinued from front cover

A basic principle of the strategy is that proposed, environmentally sound development projects must include opportunities for Nisga’a Economic development. This will vary by project but might, for example, include:

Equity Ownership;•Revenue Sharing•Royalties•Contracting Opportunities•Direct Employment•Joint Venturing Opportunities•

The strategy is being directed by the NLG Executive.

Improving Communications Across the NationA strong nation requires an informed population. Over 70% of Nisga’a citizens live outside the Valley. Of these fifty-four percent live in areas served by an urban locals. Nearly one in five do not. Staying informed is tough. The Nisga’a Network is a collection of websites which support community, communication, collaboration and learning. Using modern technologies means that Nisga’a citizens - wherever they live - can, for example, easily access news and information, check the Cultural Calendar and participate in committee work without always having to travel. The centerpiece of the Nisga’a Network is the Community Centre (http://nnkn.ca). Visitors to the site will find news, information, event calendars, the cultural calendar, job postings, photo albums of events around the Nation and a reference section which includes documents and forms of interest. Contributors to the site can include NLG, village governments, urban locals, councils and committees working for the Nation and relevant institutions and organizations (e.g. WWN, SD92, churches, ...). Space will be made available for programs and initiatives across the Nation so they can let citizens know what they’re doing

This newsletter is published by:

Nisga’a Lisims Government

PO Box 231, 2000 Lisims Drive

New Aiyansh, BC V0J 1A0

T 250 633 3000

Toll-free 1 866 633 0888

www.nisgaalisims.ca

www.nnkn.ca

If you have news or a story to tell,

please contact Eric Grandison by

phone or email at:

ericg@nisga’a.net

Hope

Kaslo

Comox

Nelson

Robson

Vernon

Merrit

Duncan

Telkwa

Masset

Bowser

Kyuquot

Sechelt

Nanaimo

Kelowna

Elkford

Creston

Quesnel

Kitimat

Kispiox

Houston

Terrace

Gingolx

Balfour

Naramata

Westbank

Victoria

Ucluelet

Keremeos

Kamloops

Smithers

Kitwanga

Hazelton

Big Lake

Kitkatla

Thornhill

Mackenzie

Alert Bay

Penticton

Ladysmith

Courtenay

Chemainus

Castlegar

Skidegate

Saanichton

Aldergrove

Clearwater

Kitwancool

Tatla Lake

Gold River

Vanderhoof

Port Hardy

Parksville Chilliwack

Metlakatla

Abbotsford

Burns Lake

Summerland

Glen Vowell

Hartley Bay

Salmnon Arm

Slocan Park

Fraser Lake

Bella Coola

Fort Nelson

Port Edward

New Aiyansh

Laxgalts'ap

Lake Country

Coal Harbour

Port Simpson

Mount Currie

Powell River

Port Alberni

Dawson Creek

Forest Grove

Lake Cowichan

Williams Lake

Tumbler Ridge

Prince George

Fort St. John

Lax Kw'alaams

Prince Rupert

Gitwinksihlkw

Qualicum Beach

Campbell River

Telegraph Creek

Coquitlam

Port Coquitlam

CloverdaleMilner

Delta

Blaine

Surrey

Deroche

Mission

Langley

Burnaby

Richmond

VancouverPitt Meadows

Chilliwack

Aldergrove

Abbotsford

Maple RidgeNorth Vancouver

New Westminster

Port Moody

Fort Langley

White Rock

Harrison Hotsprings

Data Sources:Citizenship Data:NLG May 2008Cadastral Features/Regions/Roads:NLG 2000Water and Cartographic Features:MSRM TRIM 1:20000 DigitalData Representational Files July 1982Nisga’a Lands: Nisga’a Final AgreementMay 11,2000 and Subsequent Crown GrantsProjection: NAD83Universal Transverse Mercator, Zone 9Devices: ARCMap 9.2 ArcINFO Licence Version

Drawn By: E. K Hisanaga

Produced by:Nisga’a Lisims GovernmentDirectorate of Lands and Resourceswww.nisgaalisims.ca1-866-633-0888

Nisga'a Lands

Educational Funding District ( Color Key )

DISTRICT Gingolx

Laxgalts'ap

Gitwinksihlkw

New Aiyansh

Prince Rupert

Terrace

Vancouver Affiliated Vancouver

Prince Rupert Affiliated

Terrace Affiliated

0 100 200 30050Kilometers

Districts Province Town / CityEight (USA) 181 4

Unknown addressAK 122 Unknown Address

AnchorageBethelCraigHomerJuneau

KetchikanMetlakatla

SitkaThorne Bay

WasillaWrangell

Alabama 4 KinstonAZ 2 PeoriaDE 1 Unknown AddressFL 3 Ocala

Orange ParkID 1 BoiseIN 1 Indianapolis

NM 2 La PlataOH 1 North RidgevilleVT 1 SharonWA 39 Unknown Address

AberdeenBellingham

BlaineClinton

DarringtonEdmondsEverettKent

Lake StevensLynnwood

Maple ValleyRoslynSeattle

SteilacoomTonasket

WoodenvilleEleven (Prince Rupert Affiliated P&S) 255 AB 129 Alberta Beach

BanffBrooksCalgaryClyde

DeBoltEckville

EdmontonFort McMurrayGrande Prairie

High RiverLac La BicheLake LouiseLethbridge

Medicine HatPeace River

Red DeerRedwater

Rocky Mountain HouseSherwood Park

StrathmoreVermilion

WetaskewinBC 40 Hartley Bay

KitkatlaMasset

MetlakatlaPort Simpson

SkidegateMB 9 Selkirk

WinnipegNB 9 Moncton

North TetagoucheSaint JohnSix RoadsSt.- Basile

NS 2 DartmouthHalifax

ON 42 BowmanvilleBramptonEar FallsLondon

NewmarketNiagara Falls

OakvilleRockland

Thunder BayToronto

PE 3 O'LearyQC 1 QuebecSK 15 Frenchman Butte

LloydminsterMcTaggort

Prince AlbertRegina

SaskatoonYT 5 Burwash Landing

Watson LakeWhitehorse

Five (Prince Rupert) 1355 BC 1355 Port EdwardPrince Rupert

Four (New Aiyansh) 751 BC 751 New AiyanshUnknown Address 136 136 Unknown Address

One (Kincolith) 343 BC 343 KincolithSeven (Vancouver) 925 BC 925 Burnaby

CloverdaleCoquitlam

DeltaFort Langley

LangleyMaple Ridge

MilnerMission

New WestminsterNorth Burnaby

North DeltaNorth Vancouver

Pitt MeadowsPort Coquitlam

Port MoodyRichmond

SurreyVancouver

VictoriaWhite Rock

Six (Terrace) 1046 BC 1046 TerraceThornhill

Thirteen (Vancouver Affiliated P&S) 317 BC 317 AbbotsfordAldergroveAlert BayBalfourBowser

Buick CreekCampbell River

CastlegarChemainusChilliwackClearwater

Coal HarbourComox

CourtenayCrestonDuncanElkford

Gabriola IslandGold River

Harrison Hot SpringsHope

KamloopsKaslo

KelownaKeremeosKyuquot

LadysmithLake Country

Lake CowichanLangleyMerrittMission

Mount CurrieNanaimoNaramata

NelsonParksvillePenticton

Port AlberniPort Hardy

Powell RiverQualicum Beach

RobsonSaanichtonSalmon Arm

SecheltSlocan ParkSummerland

UclueletVernon

WestbankThree (Gitwinksihlkw) 203 BC 203 Gitwinksihlkw

Twelve (Terrace Affiliated P&S) 282 BC 282 Bella CoolaBig Lake

Burns LakeDawson Creek

DerocheForest GroveFort NelsonFort St. JohnFraser LakeGlen Vowell

HazeltonHoustonKispioxKitimat

KitwancoolKitwangaMackenzie

Prince GeorgeQuesnelSmithers

Tatla LakeTelegraph Creek

TelkwaTerrace

Tumbler RidgeValdonnel

VanderhoofWaglisla

Williams LakeTwo (Greenville) 510 BC 510 Greenville

One (Gingolx)5%

Tw o (Laxgalts'ap)8% Three (Gitw inksihlkw )

3%

Four (New Aiyansh)12%

Five (Prince Rupert)22%

Six (Terrace)17%

Seven (Vancouver)15%

Eight (USA)3%

Eleven (Prince Rupert Affiliated P&S)4%

Tw elve (Terrace Affiliated P&S)4%

Unknow n Address2%Thirteen (Vancouver Aff iliated

P&S)5%

One (Gingolx)Two (Laxgalts'ap)Three (Gitwinksihlkw)Four (New Aiyansh)Five (Prince Rupert)Six (Terrace)Seven (Vancouver)Eight (USA)Eleven (Prince Rupert Af f iliated P&S)Twelve (Terrace Aff iliated P&S)Thirteen (Vancouver Aff iliated P&S)Unknown Address

T o t a l A p p r o v e d N i s g a ' a C i t i z e n s M a y , 2 0 0 8

and celebrate their achievements. We’ve been testing the site over the summer and it’s ready for wider use. You can get in touch with Jim Stone (jim.stone@nisgaa.net) for more information.

Peter Thomas McKay of New Aiyansh will receive the Cultural Heritage and Diversity Award of Excellence from the BC Representative for Children and Youth for his work to better the lives of children and youth. The Awards of Excellence recognize four individuals and two organizations for their commitment to and focus on improving the lives of vulnerable children. Award winners will be recognized at a dinner on October 20, during the 2008 Champions for Children and Youth Summit in Vancouver. Visit www.rcybc.ca for more information on the Awards of Excellence and the Champions for Children and Youth Summit.

Peter McKay Recognized