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THIS IS OUR LAND. WE ARE THE LAND.
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TAHLTAN STEWARDSHIP INITIATIVE
The Tahltan Stewardship Initiative (TSI) is our opportunity for transformative change based on the recognition of Tahltan Title and Rights. Now, we have a say in decisions that matter for our people in accordance with our values and knowledge. We decide how to protect our culture, care for our lands, water, air, fish, and wildlife. We decide how to sustainably manage our natural resources and economic development in our territory. TSI means Tahltans working together to transform how things are done. Through TSI, the rules are changing. And we are shaping the process.
Vision Statement The Tahltan Stewardship Initiative (TSI) will support the Tahltan Nation to assert self-determination and fulfill our inherent stewardship and caretaking responsibilities for our territory. Stewardship is the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care. The TSI will help the Tahltan Nation to plan for and manage our land, water, air, wildlife, and natural resources. It will ensure we take care of Tahltan Territory now and for future generations. By conserving wildlife, managing economic development, protecting our environment and relationship with the land (including culturally significant areas) and asserting jurisdiction over Tahltan Territory, we will advance our role in and refine shared decision-making processes.
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TAHLTAN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – WINTER NEWSLETTER 2022
TAHLTAN STEWARDSHIP INITIATIVE WEBSITE LAUNCH ANNOUNCEMENT
In December, the Tahltan Stewardship Initiative (TSI) launched its brand new, innovative website! Visit: tsi.tahltan.org to explore the site Much of the website has been designed uniquely for Tahltans only and requires a password to view. If you are a Tahltan member and require assistance obtaining your Members Only Section password, please contact:
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250-771-3274,
receptionist@tahltan.org
1-855-TAHLTAN (824-5826) or,
TAHLTAN STEWARDSHIP INITIATIVE – TSI WEBSITE ANNOUNCEMENT
TSI is an opportunity for our Nation to create transformative change on matters that impact our lands, rights, and wellbeing. Through the TSI website, members can learn more about this important work and each of TSI’s 17 projects. Explore frequently asked questions, TSI resources, and more. Tahltans can confidentially interact with map-based and interactive surveys to share their knowledge and important views to support this important, transformative work for our Nation. Surveys on the TSI website are part of the first round of questions to assist our TSI team determine what is important to Tahltans and how membership would like to participate and contribute. Responses to these initial survey questions will also help us create more in-depth interview questions as we begin to develop land and resource management direction in later stages of the planning process.
TSI Website Launch Engagement TCG Launches Tahltan Stewardship Initiative (TSI) Website Press Release – Dec 17, 2021
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Tahltan Central Government Launches New Website for its Stewardship Initiative News Article – Dec 17, 2021
Engagement for TSI is designed to be as inclusive as possible. Our intent is to give all Tahltans, regardless of age, geographical location or background, the opportunity to learn about this important initiative and contribute to it. COVID-19 has significantly impacted our plans for engaging with membership and has limited our ability to meet with you in person. It is critical that Tahltans have ongoing input into this work. The TSI website will be one of many ways that community input can be confidentially shared to be carefully incorporated into TSI.
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Check out any of our interactive surveys on any topic or project that may interest you by visiting: tsi.tahltan.org/engage
Radio Interview – Dec 21, 2021
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CBC Midday Cafe with Leonard Linklater: Interview with Nalaine Morin Tahltan Government Seeks Input from Citizens on Land Stewardship
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New information will be added to the website throughout the project. We will be announcing ongoing engagement opportunities to participate in TSI in the days and weeks ahead. Tahltans have an inherent responsibility, as stewards of our lands and resources, to ensure that any use or development of lands and resources is carried out in a sustainable and responsible manner. We want to hear your voice! Mēduh for your participation!
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TAHLTAN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – W INTER NEWSL ETTER 2022
PRESS RELEASE
TCG Launches Tahltan Stewardship Initiative (TSI) Website December 17, 2021
Today the Tahltan Central Government (TCG) announced the launch of its Tahltan Stewardship Initiative (TSI) website: tsi.tahltan.org. The TSI is an opportunity for the Tahltan Nation to have a say on matters that impact their lands, rights, and wellbeing. Through TSI, the Tahltan Nation can finally have a say in how to protect their culture, care for their lands, water, fish, and wildlife, supported by global commitments to reconciliation and new legislation. This work means a new relationship between the Tahltan Nation and the Province of British Columbia based on truth, respect, and equality between Nations.
“Tahltans must be involved in strategic planning and decision-making on matters that involve our territory and impact our collective rights and wellbeing. The Tahltan Stewardship Initiative (TSI) is an opportunity for the Tahltan Nation to have a say in decisions that matter in accordance with Tahltan values and knowledge. It means Tahltans deciding how to protect their culture, care for their lands, water, fish, and wildlife. I am very excited about the launch of our TSI website which will allow Tahltans to understand, engage and contribute their knowledge to the important work being done to further our sovereignty and support the continued preservation of our culture,” – Nalaine Morin, TSI Chair & Lands Director, Tahltan Central Government
“The TSI is an important part of our journey and story as a Nation. Since time immemorial, Tahltans have lived, fought, and bled to protect our territory. Caring for our lands, fish, and wildlife is part of who we are. The launch of our new TSI website will support Tahltans to contribute their knowledge and collective voices to our efforts. We stand united as we work to maintain our Tahltan identity and protect our environment for future generations. I commend those within our Nation working on TSI and encourage all Tahltans to get involved,” – Chad Norman Day, President, Tahltan Central Government The framework of TSI will build and use Tahltan knowledge and worldview, local knowledge, and science in decision-making processes, build capacity and provide opportunities and training for Tahltans to work on stewardship projects. TSI is grounded in Tahltan values and sovereignty. TSI is a step forward on the journey of self-determination and preservation of Tahltan culture.
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TAHLTAN STEWARDSHIP INITIATIVE – TSI WEBSITE ANNOUNCEMENT MEDIA
Tahltan Central Government launches new website for its stewardship initiative Article from Terrace Standard
| Terrace Standard Staff
| Published December 17, 2021
The Iskut Band and Tahltan Band continue to govern Tahltan interests with respect to the Indian Act in the communities of Iskut, Dease Lake, and Telegraph Creek, says the Tahltan Central Government.
Tahltan Stewardship Initiative forges a new path for the First Nation in decision making. On Dec. 17, the Tahltan Central Government (TCG) launched the Tahltan Stewardship Initiative (TSI) website to mark a step forward on their journey of self-determination. The TSI is an opportunity for members of the Tahltan Nation to have a say on matters that impact their lands, rights, and wellbeing. TCG President Chad Norman Day, called the TSI an “important part” of their journey and story as a Nation.
The framework of TSI will build and use Tahltan knowledge and worldview along with science in decision-making processes, build capacity and provide opportunities and training for Tahltans to work on stewardship projects. “Tahltans must be involved in strategic planning and decision-making on matters that involve our territory and impact our collective rights and wellbeing,” said Nalaine Morin, TSI chair and lands director for TCG. TSI website can be accessed at: tsi.tahltan.org
“Since time immemorial, Tahltans have lived, fought, and bled to protect our territory. Caring for our lands, fish, and wildlife is part of who we are. The launch of our new TSI website will support Tahltans to contribute their knowledge and collective voices to our efforts,” said Day.
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TA H LTA N CE NT R A L G OV ER NM E NT
Resource Development Policy Statement April 7, 1987 – In history as well as in mythology, the Tahltan Indian people have always been acknowledged as the original inhabitants of the Stikine River Watershed in northern British Columbia. Archaeological evidence has determined that the Tahltan people have continuously occupied this area for thousands for years, perhaps as many as 10,000. This is what is often referred to in poetic terms as “since time immemorial.”
The first white person to come into Tahltan country was Samuel Black who arrived in 1821 exploring for the Northwest Trading Company. Our people never met Black and so it wasn’t until 1838 when the second white person, Robert Campbell of the Hudson Bay Company, entered our territory that European contact with our people was first made.
development within our country is to be realized within a reasonable time, we must combine politics and business when dealing with developers wishing to establish themselves within Tahltan country. Developers will have to come to terms with this reality if they expect to function successfully within our territory.
Tahltans had an elaborate trading economy already established when the Hudson Bay Company first encountered our tribe. Although the H.B. Co. was very interested in immediately setting up a competing trading operation in Tahltan country, our people blocked them for approximately forty years so as to protect our own established trading economy. At that time Tahltans had an active commercial network based on our position as a middleman between the coastal trade and the tribes living north and east of Stikine country. We also traded our own fish and furs and other natural resources such as obsidian to all peoples who came into our country.
Before a resource development project can commence within Tahltan tribal territory, it will be necessary for the developer and the Tahltan Tribal Council to enter into a project participation agreement that encompasses the following elements and basic principles:
Tahltan people are very proud of our tradition of commercial enterprise and equally proud that we were able to protect our interests against the mighty H.B. Co. empire for those many years. It wasn’t until the 1870’s Cassiar gold rush was in full swing that the H.B. Co. was able to open its first trading post in Tahltan traditional territory.
3. assurance that the project will provide more positive than negative social impacts on Tahltan people;
1. assurance that the development will not pose a threat of irreparable environmental damage; 2. assurance that the development will not jeopardize, prejudice or otherwise compromise the outstanding Tahltan aboriginal rights claim;
4. provision for the widest possible opportunity for education and direct employment-related training for Tahltan people in connection with the project;
Even though our people have lost the monopoly position of business in our own country, we are still active on many business fronts. Our present tribal objective is to increase our participation in all business that develops within the borders of our tribal territory so that we can again enjoy a self-sustaining healthy and enterprising economy.
5. provision for the widest possible opportunity for employment opportunities for Tahltan people with respect to all phases of the development;
We wish to make it very clear that Tahltan people and the Tahltan Tribal Council are not inherently opposed to any specific type of business or resource development within our country. However, we do feel strongly that any development within our tribal territory must adhere to some basic principles that the Tahltan Tribal Council has developed.
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We appreciated that most private developers “just want to conduct their business.” They do not want to have any discussions or participate in any actions that have overtones of aboriginal rights or native politics. We in one sense sympathize with that wish of developers because we, as businessmen, also experience frustration when politics begin to directly affect our business endeavors. However, the reality is that if our tribal objective of achieving substantial participation in business
If resource developers and the Tahltan Tribal Council can reach agreement embracing the points noted above, then we believe that Tahltans, the developers and all other Canadians will enjoy equitable benefits from each resource development undertaken and there will be business harmony within Tahltan traditional tribal territory.
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6. provision for substantial equity participation by Tahltans in the total project; provision for the widest possible development of Tahltan business opportunities over which the developer may have control or influence;
8. provision of the developer to assist the Tahltans to accomplish the objectives stated above by providing financial and managerial assistance and advice where deemed necessary.
Signed:
Vernon Marion, President Tahltan Tribal Council – April 7, 1987
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TAHLTAN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – W INTER NEWSL ETTER 2022
TSI PROJECT INTRODUCTIONS There are 17 projects within the Tahltan Stewardship Initiative. Our projects are designed to align related Tahltan governance, reconciliation, and land management projects.
Below is a list of projects within TSI:
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Assessment of Ecosystem Services & Climate Change Resilience
Fisheries Stewardship Project
GIS Spatial Database Project
Land Governance Framework & Operational Policies Project
Capacity Development Project
Caribou Stewardship Project
Predator Program
Communications & Engagement Project
Tahltan Guardian Program
Cultural Heritage Project
Ecosystem & Climate Project
Tahltan Infrastructure Assessment (Energy, Access, & Mineral Potential)
Tahltan Indigenous Protected & Conserved Areas (IPCAs) Project
Tahltan Land Stewardship Plan
TCG Archives Project
Water Resources Project
Youth Stewardship Program
TAHLTAN STEWARDSHIP INITIATIVE – TSI PROJECT INTRODUCTIONS
Further to the project introductions shared in the Summer and Fall Newsletters, we would like to share introductions to our remaining TSI projects.
Tahltan Guardian Program The Tahltan Guardian Program has been active since 2015. The Tahltan Guardian Program will continue to focus on environmental stewardship monitoring measures and ongoing data collection processes based on local, Indigenous, and scientific knowledge sources. Guardians actively participate in various aspects of wildlife management including monitoring the effectiveness of hunting regulation changes, land use and hunter activity within and outside of new regulation areas, conflict wildlife and wildlife-human interactions in Tahltan Territory.
– PROJECT BACKGROUND
Tahltan Infrastructure Assessment (Energy, Access, & Mineral Potential) The Tahltan Infrastructure Assessment seeks to understand what energy infrastructure exists within Tahltan Territory and further, what infrastructure is required by the Nation. The Assessment will include analysis of potential locations for minerals, mining, geothermal energy, run of-river hydropower and more. The Assessment will seek to lay a solid foundation to guide how the Tahltan Central Government makes decisions about energy. This project supports Tahltan Land Stewardship Plan (TLSP) work.
The Tahltan Guardian Program started in the fall of 2015, due to concerns around wildlife in our territory. Mainly, decrease in animal populations and increase in resident hunters. We started to expand it a little more with others and on-the-ground initiatives around environment, industry, and other concerns that were brought forward. The key priority was to get out on the land and make a presence. Regulation enforcement wasn’t good enough, no “on-the-ground” data was being collected, and we just needed to be out there to see for ourselves what is really going on. The first year went well. We learned a lot about how big our territory is and some of the activities that are taking place. Showing our presence out there and collecting data to improve wildlife management was the focus and to learn how we can adapt our program to best suit our territory. Being out on the land showed us what we need to keep an eye on it, and to better educate the public and Tahltan members on other initiatives out there.
Water Resources Project The Water Resources Project will document and describe our water resources including groundwater, fish-bearing streams, rivers, and lakes. This work will support the development of our Tahltan Land Stewardship Plan (TLSP) and is the first step in developing our water management strategy. The Project will support the preservation of ecosystems within Tahltan Territory, clean drinking water, and preservation of our land for future generations. 58
TAHLTAN CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – W INTER NEWSL ETTER 2022
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TSI BASE M A P DR AF T MAP v1.1 – 2021/06 LOCA L I T Y LAKE L A NDFOR M TA HLTA N N AT ION T ER R I TORY Charlie Crole Creek Ecological Reserve
EC OLOGICA L R ESER V E PR OT EC T ED A R E A PR OV INCI A L PA R K
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Chickens Neck Ecologica Reserve
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Tahltan Nation continues to do research and assemble further information and data, and adjustments to the boundaries reflected in this map may be made in the future where appropriate and supported by evidence.
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This map represents the general boundaries of Tahltan territory based on the information available and reviewed as of the date of its creation. It does not represent a definitive or final statement of the areas to which Tahltan Aboriginal title and rights apply.
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