Special Assembly of the Nisga’a Nation Special Assemblly... · ’shl hlaa jag- am-ak-hlgwit guun...

Special Assembly of the Nisg-

a’a NationGitlax-t’aamiks / May 2 – 5 / 2016

Preparing for opportunities on our doorstep

Special aSSembly of the NiSg- a’a NatioN 2016 ///// 1

Declaration of the Nisg-a’a Nation

Nisg-a’a n’ uum’ , hli gadihl K-’alii-Aksim Lisims —

Gin’ amis K-’am Ligii Hahlhaahl ts’eets’iks wil jogam’ hli daa la’ooy’.

Adaawak-dihl Simgigat ganhl Sigidim Haanak-’ hli Ayuug-ahl Ango’osgum’ .

Hlo’otdim’ hl hli al’algax-hl g-aniye’etgum’ ahl dim sayt-k-’il’hl ts’ak’.

Y’ay n’ it, Nisg-a’a n’ uum’ —

Hlaa luu-wit’ax- gigathl hlag-ats’uum’ ahl ts’im-hahlal’s ii hlaa jag

-a-sakswhl hlag

-ats’uum’

andoosda’a, hli t an haldim-dibax-hl w’ iit’isim hahlal’s tgun-sa.

Ga’adiithl g-ook-diit iit sit’aadiithl g

-ag

-edim hahlal’shl hlaa jag

-am-ak-hlgwit guun’ .

Hlaa wil huxw hak’sim sigyootkwhl m’ aal guun’ , ii n’ uum’ an diyeet.

Hlaa dildalt’inhl Nisg-a’a ahl han’ iijok--

Liksgigat n’ uum’ , ii hlaa wil tk-al-haxhuksgum’ ahl Canada, li luu-am’aamhl g-ag

-oodim’ wil hlaa

aluut’aahl g-enx-hl dim yox-gum’ .

Sa tgun ii lip mak-sgum’ , ii sayt k’il’ wilaa mak-sgum’ g-anhl hli gadihl Canada ii ts’im gaks dim

wil hlo’om’ .

N’ it’inhl K-’alii-Aksim Nisg-a’ahl lip Ayuugam ii dip huxw n’ it’inhl hugax- nda wilaa dip wilaay’ it.

Guudim’ hl Hli Algax-hl K-’alii-Aksim Lisims, ii hlaa hliskw dip japt ii dip sidax-gathl Ayuug-am’ ahl

dim wilaa sayt dildilsihl Nisg-a’a ganhl g

-abiihl dim huxw haldim-yeet, ahl dim dip luu-yox-kwt,

dim ii dip hugax-am diyeet, dim g-anii wilaa aam dim wilaa jax-jog

-am’ .

Wann’ ihl dim wilaa dildilsdim’ ahl ts’im Lip Ayuug-am’ g

-anhl Lip Wilaa Loom’ , ii dim dip diheek-’alt

g-an’ agwihl dim dildilsdim’ g

-anhl naahl dim dag

-alaanit loom’ , dim wilaa sgihl Amaa Wil ahl Nisg

-a’a.

Wilaa t diyeehl Simgigat g-anhl Sigidim Haanak-’ g

-anhl t’ist’isithl Ayuug

-am’ hli daa la’ooy’ , n’ ihl dim

hlo’otdim’ ii n’ idiit dim an t de’entkwhl Nisg-a’a Lisims Government dim t wilaa diyeediithl Ayuuk-.

Hlaa n’ ihl G-ansimutkws tgunhl sisgit ahl Nisg-a’a, ahl wil t K-’am Ligii Hahlhaahl g

-an wilhl g

-alksi-

lagim’ ahl lax--ts’eets’ikshl gin’ amit loom’ , ii n’ it dim t an de’etgum’ dim wilaa Lip Gigadim’ .

Y’ay n’ it, hli gadihl K-’alii-Aksim Lisims n’ uum’ —

Gwin’ ayim’ hl hli k-’e’em-g-oots K-’am Ligii Hahlhaahl an t gin’ amhl ts’eets’iks loom’ hl dim adigwil

luu-sbayt hitkwt sk-’apdim’ .


Welcome to the Special aSSembly

On behalf of Nisg-a’a Lisims Government, I welcome you all to the 8th biennial Special Assembly of the Nisg-a’a Nation.

Our theme for this year’s Special Assembly is ‘Nisg-

a’a Nation: Preparing for Opportunities on Our Doorstep’. Remarkably, these opportunities have come to us, literally onto our doorstep. As a government we have fulfilled our responsibilities by considering these possibilities in accordance with our Treaty, protected our lands and natural resources, and ensured that we receive benefits and meaningful opportunities for jobs, equity participation — all as required by our Nass Area Strategy.

All that remains is that we continue to prepare ourselves for these opportunities.

Thank you to the Village of Gitlax-t’aamiks for hosting the 2016 biennial Special Assembly of the Nisg

-a’a Nation.

Respectfully,

Sim’oogit K-’aw’een / H. Mitchell Stevenspresident

may 2 – 5 / 2016


Welcome to gitlax- t ’aamikS

Nisg-a’a Village of Gitlax-t’aamiksChief’s Welcome Message / 8th Biennial Nisg-a’a Nation Special Assembly

Welcome to the community of Gitlax-t’aamiks, one of four communities within the Nisg-a’a Treaty

lands. We hope that you will enjoy your visit with us as you attend the 8th Special General Assembly of the Nisg

-a’a Nation. Your time spent with us will be an enjoyable stay, the community of Gitlax-t’aamiks

is known for its awesome, amazing hospitality, you will be well taken care of. So once again welcome and have a fun, safe visit to our community.

Once again we will gathering to share our concerns, thoughts and new ideas in a respectful way. Moving forward into a bright future with a good economic base. We should also be asking ourselves the following questions:

1. What are we doing right?2. What are we doing wrong?3. How can we be a part of change?

Nisg-a’a Lisims Government, along with its departments will be sharing updated information.

I ask you to remember that this is your time, ask questions. Be respectful to one another, stay within the rules and be willing to listen.

On behalf of the community of Gitlax-t’aamiks, I commend each of you for your commitment in attending this assembly.

All my relations.

Gerald Robinson / Chief Councillor Gitlax-t’aamiks Village Government

may 2 – 5 / 2016


Table of Contents

Agenda ..................................................................................................................................... 6

Rules of Procedure ................................................................................................................ 10

Office of the Executive Chairperson ..................................................................................... 25

Office of the Secretary-Treasurer .........................................................................................26

Office of the Chairperson of the Council of Elders .............................................................. 29

Office of the Chief Executive Officer .................................................................................... 32

Office of the Executive Director ...........................................................................................43

Office of the In-House Legal Counsel / Law Clerk ...............................................................45

Directorate of Programs & Services .....................................................................................47

Directorate of Lands & Resources ........................................................................................60

Directorate of Finance........................................................................................................... 67

Directorate of Fisheries & Wildlife ....................................................................................... 73

Directorate of Human Resources ......................................................................................... 76

Directorate of Communications & Intergovernmental Relations .......................................80


may 2 – 5 / 2016 gitlax- t ’aamikS

Special Assembly Agenda


///////////////////////////////

Monday May 2

Tuesday May 3

Wednesday May 4

Thursday May 5


ageNda / moNday, may 2

Monday / May 2, 2016

8:00am Registration & Continental Breakfast

10:00am Opening Ceremonies + Presentation of G-anim Siwilyeen’skw — Council of Elders + Declaration of the Nisg

-a’a Nation — Shirley Morven, Chair, Council of Elders

+ Call to Order — Chairperson Kevin McKay + Invocation by Rev Harry Moore, Sr. + Nisg

-a’a Elementary School choir sings O’ Canada

10:30am Introduction of Co-Chairs Co-Chairs Ron Nyce & Franklin Alexcee Reading of the Special Assembly

Rules of Procedure

10:45am Welcome Address + Gerald Robinson, Chief Councillor — Gitlax-t’aamiks

11:00am NLG Executive Officers Reports + President — H. Mitchell Stevens + Executive Chairperson — Kevin McKay + Secretary-Treasurer — Corinne McKay + Chair, Council of Elders — Shirley Morven

12:00pm Lunch

Afternoon Co-Chairs Edna Nyce & Gerald Robinson

Preparing for Opportunities on Our Doorstep

1:00pm NLG Executive Officers Reports cont’d

1:30pm Executive Officers Question Period

2:30pm Afternoon Break

2:45pm Executive Senior Management Reports + Chief Executive Officer — Collier Azak + Executive Director — Cheryl Stephens + In-House Legal Counsel — Stephanie Lysyk

4:00pm Question Period

5:00pm Daily Door prize draws and Adjournment for the day

Gitlax-t’aamiks Welcome Banquet (tbc)


ageNda / tueSday, may 3

Tuesday / May 3, 2016


9:00am Call to Order by Co-Chairs 2 Co-Chairs Henry Moore & Cliff Morgan

Invocation by Damian Azak, Pastor Daily Reading of Rules of Procedure

9:15am Reporting Session + Directorate of Programs & Services — Denise Verreault, Director

10:15am Morning Break

10:30am Question Period

12:00pm Lunch

Afternoon Co-Chairs 2 Co-Chairs Martin Adams & Gerald Robinson

1:00pm Presentation + John Dunn, Vice-President, TransCanada — PRGT (TBC)

2:00pm Reporting Session + Directorate of Lands & Resources — Warren Fekete, Director


3:30 pm Afternoon Break

3:45pm Reporting Session + Directorate of Finance — Terry Holt, Director

4:30 pm Question Period

5:00pm Daily Door prize draws and Adjournment for the day


ageNda / WedNeSday, may 4

Wednesday / May 4, 2016


9:00am Call to Order by Co-Chairs 2 Co-Chairs Cliff Morgan & Ron Nyce

Invocation by Rev. Peter Nelson Daily Reading of Rules of Procedure

9:15am Reporting Session + Directorate of Fisheries & Wildlife — Harry Nyce, Sr., Director

10:00am Morning Break


11:00 am Reporting Session + Directorate of Human Resources — Cheryl Pelletier, Director

12:00pm Lunch

Afternoon Co-Chairs 2 Co-Chairs Franklin Alexcee & Edna Nyce

1:15 pm Keynote Address + Melanie Mark, MLA Vancouver-Mt. Pleasant

2:00pm Reporting Session + Nisg

-a’a Pacific Ventures LP — Harry Nyce, Jr., Chief Executive Officer

2:45 pm Afternoon Break


3:30pm Reporting Session + Communications & Intergovernmental Relations — Edward Allen, Director

4:15 pm Question Period

4:45pm Daily Door prize draws and adjournment for the day

Evening Cultural and Entertainment activities will be posted and announced by the host community.


ageNda / thurSday, may 5

Thursday / May 5, 2016


9:00am Call to Order by Co-Chairs 2 Co-Chairs Edna Nyce & Martin Adams

Invocation by Rev. Can. Gary Davis, Sr. Daily Reading of Rules of Procedure

9:15am Reporting Session + Nisg

-a’a Employment, Skills & Training (NEST) — Gary Patsey, Manager

10:00 am Morning Break

10:15 am Question Period

10:45am Reporting Session + Economic Development Initiatives — Bertram Mercer, Manager


12:00pm Lunch

Afternoon Co-Chairs 2 Co-Chairs Ron Nyce & Henry Moore

1:00pm Reflections from Executive Officers and NLG Senior Management going forward

2:00pm Closing Ceremonies + Chief Councillor Closing Remarks + President’s Closing Remarks

Daily Door Prize Draws

Retirement of Ganim Siwilyeenskw & Closing Prayer


rules of procedure

Political rights: Every Nisg-a’a citizen has the right to make political choices, to participate in political

activities, and to express a view on any public issue1.

1. The Chairpersons shall be members of the Nisg-a’a Lisims Government (NLG) Executive

Committee who are not Officers of the NLG Executive.

2. All sessions will start on time.

3. Disorderly conduct is strictly prohibited in the assembly hall.

4. Cellular phones and other transmitting devices must be turned off (wifi) while the Assembly is in session, however this does not preclude the use of the photo features on phones.

5. VHF mobile radiophones must be turned off before they can be brought in to the assembly hall and must remain off inside the assembly hall.

6. Nisg-a’a citizens may register as delegates of the special assembly (“Delegates”).

7. Non-Nisg-a’a citizens may register as observers of the special assembly (“Observers”). Only persons

who have registered at the Special Assembly are entitled to present in the assembly hall.

8. Delegates who are not Nisg-a’a representatives may ask questions about the presentation given

and must keep the question to no more than 2 minutes. Each Delegate must identify themselves by first and last name and community that they reside in when questions are posed on the special assembly floor.

9. Delegates may make recommendations to Nisg-a’a Government regarding a matter on the agenda.

10. Presenters must allow at least one third of their time allocation for question period.

11. Each presentation and question period must be completed within the time allotted on the agenda.

12. In recognition of Nisg-a’a laws enacted by Wilp Si’ayuuk-hl Nisg

-a’a, recommendations must

not obligate Nisg-a’a Government to appropriate or expend funds, and must not be contrary

to Nisg-a’a enactments.

13. In addition to the above rules, the Chairpersons of the Special Assembly have the authority and discretion necessary to preserve order and decorum, and to ensure that the meeting proceeds in accordance with Nisg

-a’a law.

14. Daily door prize draws will be conducted at the end of each day for Delegates of the Assembly who are: (a) present in the meeting room when the draw is held, and (b) not Nisg

-a’a Lisims Government

employees or Nisg-a’a representatives.

1 Constitution of the Nisg-a’a Nation, Chapter 2, Rights, par 11


may 2 – 5 / 2016 gitlax- t ’aamikS

Special Assembly Reports


///////////////////////////////


I am very proud to provide you with this report about how we have prepared for sustainable prosperity and undertaken initiatives to improve our quality of life. My report shall cover the economic, social and cultural highlights of your government in action over the last two years.

Because we have been so busy over the last two years, included at the end of this report is a point form summary for your ease of reference.

May / June 2014

Immediately following the 2014 Special Assembly in Gitwinksihlkw, we went right back to work.

We attended the LNG in BC conference in Vancouver in late May, and the World LNG Summit in San Antonio, Texas in early June. At both conferences we had the opportunity to network and demonstrate that we are now proponents for establishing an LNG processing facility within the Nass Area in which Nisg

-a’a Nation would

have an ownership interest.

We continued our work to establish relations with willing partners for such a project. The BC Environ-mental Assessment Office hosted 4 Open Houses in the Nass Valley with respect to proposed projects

on Nisg-a’a Lands. We encouraged

Nass Valley residents to participate in this important process to learn about these projects and to offer your feedback.

On June 3, 2014, Nisg-a’a Nation an-

nounced that we concluded a com-prehensive agreement with Avanti Mining Inc. with its wholly owned subsidiary Avanti Kitsault Mine Ltd. in connection with Avanti’s proposed Kitsault Molybdenum Mine Project in northwestern British Columbia. The agreement addresses a number of outstanding Nisg

-a’a concerns in

respect of environmental protec-tion, provides economic benefits to the Nisg

-a’a Nation (including a net

smelter royalty of up to 2% based on prevailing molybdenum prices), and resolves all outstanding litigation.

To support the enactment of the Nisg

-a’a Landholding Transition

Act, we announced the schedule of sessions to be held in all the Nisg

-a’a Villages and Nisg

-a’a Urban

Locals to learn more about what the Act does and how you may be able to use it to obtain fee simple ownership of a residential lot in a Nisg

-a’a Village.

On June 26, 2014, the Executive approved the Vetter Falls Business and Re-Investment Project Plan 2014, approved the Nisg

-a’a

Tourism Strategy Implementation 2014 project application, and adopted the Nisg

-a’a Fisheries

Licence Bank Plan. The Executive also adopted the Nisg

-a’a Post-

Secondary Education Assistance Program Policy 2014, and directed the Ayuuk-hl Nisg

-a’a Department

to distribute the Publication ‘Lock, Stock and Barrel: Nisg

-a’a Ownership

Statement.’

Three Seasonal Workers were hired for NLG’s new Seasonal Wildland Firefighter Program. Initial Attack Crews firefighters operate as three person crews and are usually the first on the scene of a new wildfire. Initial attack crews are highly mobile and are often relocated to help fight wildfires throughout the province or elsewhere in North America. This enhances our forest fire fighting capacity in the Nass Valley.

July / August 2014

We announced the comprehensive Benefits Agreement with Seabridge Gold in respect of Seabridge Gold’s KSM Project, located in northwest British Columbia. The Benefits Agreement establishes a long-term co-operative relationship between Nisg

-a’a Nation and Seabridge

under which the Nisg-a’a Nation

will support development of the Project, participate in economic benefits from the Project, and provide ongoing advice.

office of the preSideNt

Sim’oogit K-’aw’een / H. Mitchell Stevens president


The Agreement includes commit-ments by Seabridge regarding jobs and contracting opportunities at the KSM Project, education and training, financial payments and a framework for working together on ongoing development matters. This comprehensive agreement also addresses concerns expressed by the Nisg

-a’a Nation around the

potential environmental and social impacts of the KSM Project.

In addition to the agreement with Seabridge Gold, we also announced a benefits agreement with Avanti Mines respecting their Kitsault project. Seabridge was very respon-sive to our concerns around the environmental and social impacts of the project on Nisg

-a’a Treaty

interests. Avanti took longer, but eventually Avanti saw the benefits of working with us after the project faced disputes and litigation and their management team was replaced, fortunately, with people who were willing work with us.

July 31, 2014 was an especially sig-nificant day as the Nisg

-a’a Nation

entered into several important agreements with the Government of BC to facilitate the further im-plementation of the Nisg

-a’a Treaty,

establish the Nisg-a’a Nation as the

primary property tax authority on Nisg

-a’a Lands, and provide a share

of provincial mining and clean energy revenue generated from the Nass Area. BC and Nisg

-a’a

Nation entered into:

1. the Settlement Agreement to resolve issues over the implementation of environmental assessment and consultation obligations under the Nisg

-a’a Treaty,

2. the Nisg-a’a Real Property

Tax Coordination Agreement (RPTCA), and

3. the Kitsault Mine Economic and Community Development Agreement (ECDA).

The RPTCA is an agreement entered into in accordance with the Nisg

-a’a Treaty which allows

NLG to collect property taxes from persons other than Nisg

-a’a citizens

on Nisg-a’a Lands. In addition, NLG

will have taxing authority over industrial installations such as any future LNG pipelines passing through Nisg

-a’a Lands.

The Kitsault ECDA supports the advancement of the Kitsault molybdenum mine project and enables the Nisg

-a’a Nation to

receive a share of provincial min-eral tax revenues collected from its operations. Current mineral tax projections estimate that the Nisg

-a’a Nation will receive approxi-

mately $43 million over the 16 year operational life of the mine.

Further benefits from resources will come from a share of revenues from the Long Lake hydroelectric project. When the hydro project is operating at full capacity, revenue to the Nisg

-a’a Nation is forecast at

$123,820 per year over the life of the project. This revenue sharing comes through the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund. The hydro project is a 31 mega-watt facility, 25 km outside of Stewart, close to the BC Alaska border. The construction of a 10 km 138 kilovolt transmission line connects the site to the BC Hydro grid, with oppor-tunities to interconnect with other regional projects.

In July, we shared the letter in which we congratulated the Tsilhqot’in National Government on their recent victory in the Supreme Court of Canada recognizing their aboriginal title.

September 2014

We once again embarked on a busy schedule of meetings with various levels of the provincial government. At the Premier’s gathering, I was asked if I could make a statement to the other aboriginal peoples in attendance — so without hesitation I acknowledged the Coast Salish whose territory we were on and I offered the nation’s congratu-lations to the Ts’ilqotin on their recent Supreme Court victory. I also reminded our colleagues that we are stewards of the land — and that we must work with each other instead of in opposition of each other because we all want to share in the revenues and economic growth that will be coming to our province.

The Nisg-a’a Nation was in receipt

of a prestigious economic devel-opment award at the Canadian Association of Native Development Officers (CANDO) Annual General Meeting in Nanaimo on September 25. Mr. Bert Mercer represented the Nisg

-a’a Nation to receive the award

that recognized the successes of our Nisg

-a’a Business Development

Fund in supporting local, communi-ty businesses and entrepreneurs.

October 2014

On October 22, 2014, the Nisg-a’a

Valley Health Authority board and



staff welcomed Simgigat, Sigidim haanak-

’ and members of the public to witness the unveiling and blessing of new state of the art x-ray, lab, ultrasound and optometry equipment that will enhance medical services delivery in the Nass Valley.

At 10:16am on October 16, 2014 NLG joined thousands of British Columbians in the earthquake preparedness drill that promotes Drop, Cover and Hold on in the Great BC Shakeout!

November 2014

On November 6, 2014, we pub-licly announced in Vancouver the recent benefits agreement we had reached with Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Ltd. (PRGT).

We concluded an agreement that is critical to the Nisg

-a’a Nation’s

aspirations to become a world class LNG exporter, and critical to the BC economy as a whole. Our agree-ment also provides the Nisg

-a’a

Nation with significant direct financial benefits including annual payments over the life of the Project, capacity funding, exclusive contracting opportunities for right-of-way clearing, camp services, security and medical services on Nisg

-a’a Lands.

We also served notice to the LNG sector that we hold the option to an unparalleled opportunity for an LNG investor to join Nisg

-a’a Nation

in bringing LNG to market.

Additionally, the Nisg-a’a Nation

and PRGT will work together to determine whether the Nisg

-a’a

Nation can establish a future natural gas distribution scheme to serve homes within the Nass valley.

As a result of the recent historic property tax agreement with BC in July 2014, the Nisg

-a’a Nation

will also receive significant proper-ty tax payments once the Project becomes operational.

Following this agreement, we visited the four Nisg

-a’a Villages

and three Nisg-a’a Urban Locals

to explain this agreement and provide Nisg

-a’a citizens with an

opportunity to ask questions. The Nisg

-a’a Nation has collectively

had 27 opportunities over the previous 2 years to discuss LNG development, including a special session with the Council of Elders who gave us our social license to pursue the possibility of this development.

Nisg-a’a Lisims Government was

announced winner in the ‘Best Reward & Recognition Strategy’ category at the Canadian HR Awards ceremony in Toronto on Friday November 7, 2014. NLG’s HR Director Cheryl Pelletier and her staff along with Executive Director Cheryl Stephens were in attendance to receive this prestigious award.

On November 27, we celebrated the passage of two key pieces of legislation and two economic bene-fits agreements that supported our efforts to become a major partic-ipant in BC’s liquefied natural gas export economy. The BC Legisla-ture in Victoria passed the Nisg

-a’a

Final Agreement Amendment Act which established the NLG as the

property taxation authority over Nisg

-a’a Lands.

The BC legislature also passed the Protected Areas of British Columbia Amendment Act which is a first step in the process to remove 63.5 hectares from the Nisg

-a’a

Memorial Lava Bed Park. This will facilitate the right-of-way corridor for PRGT’s proposed 900 km pipeline project.

On Saturday November 29, it was a historic journey for the Majag

-aleehl

K-’alii-Aksim Lisims as they lit up the streets of downtown Vancouver rendering their harmonic and upbeat musical selection as they proudly marched in the 102nd Grey Cup Parade.

December 2014

In December 2014, we renamed and re-organized our economic development vehicle and grouped many of the nation’s assets under Nisg

-a’a Pacific Ventures LP.

We also appointed Eva Clayton as a director of the board of the North West Regional Hospital District under the Hospital District Act. This was another benefit of the taxation agreements we signed with BC which ensured that we had representation on this very import-ant board which makes decisions respecting capital expenditures within the North West region.

January 2015

2015 was the first year that Nisg-a’a

Lands were assessed and taxed. Tax notices were sent out in June,



and taxes were due July 2, 2015. NLG worked with the BC Assess-ment to assess and tax properties.

The taxation system was imple-mented smoothly. The assessment provided Nisg

-a’a citizen home-

owners with an initial objective valuation of their property. Further, we managed the impact of these assessments through a series of measures similarly employed by governments throughout the province such as:

+ the Home Owner Grant, + the Low Income Grant

Program, and + exemptions for our public

service and other institutions such as our churches.

The BC Assessment system will be of enormous value to the Nisg

-a’a

Nation when industrial and com-mercial properties are developed on our land. The tax revenue from these developments will provide funding for our infrastructure, and our social and economic programs.

February 2015

To protect our trust for future gen-erations, on February 18, 2015, the Executive accepted the recommen-dation of the Finance Committee that the annual budget spend rate of the Nisg

-a’a Settlement Trust be

reduced to a maximum of 1.8% to be reviewed every 3 years.

On February 24, 2015, the Lieu-tenant Governor of British Colum-bia, Judith Guichon visited the Nass Valley. She toured our legislature and the Nisg

-a’a Museum.

March 2015

Once again, we celebrated Hoobiyee. Our congratulations to Ging

-olx.

In March 2015, we successfully passed our first budget under the new fiscal reality without capital transfers. We had long anticipated this reality and, as a government, we continued to find new and innovative ways to work within our means.

In March 2015, in respect of the Nisg

-a’a Nation Delegated Services

Agreement, the Executive autho-rized signature of the Amendment Agreement. We also signed an extension to the Non-Delegated Services Liability Insurance & Indemnity Agreement (NDLSIIA).

April 2015

In pursuing our goal of sustainable prosperity, we continued to move several initiatives forward for the benefit of Nisg

-a’a Nation. I contin-

ued to represent the nation on the Premier’s Executive Committee on resource development. I also returned from Beijing, China where I attended the China LNG Interna-tional Summit on April 22-24. My travel and accommodation was covered by CWC LNG China Interna-tional. We met with well over 25 companies during the Summit. It was also very interesting to see the workings of a communist coun-try, where every individual works.

On April 2, the Nisg-a’a Nation

signed a cooperation and benefits agreement in respect of Pretivm’s Brucejack Project. This is another agreement that will see jobs, con-

tracting opportunities and financial benefits to Nisg

-a’a Nation. Most

importantly, we were satisfied that the project has met environmental protection provisions of Chapter 10 of the Nisg

-a’a Final Agreement.

Wilp Si’ayuuk-hl Nisg-a’a (WSN) man-

dated a formal review and analysis of existing Nisg

-a’a laws. Sixteen pieces

of legislation are to be reviewed as to their effectiveness and efficiency in the operation of our government. It will be an ongoing process.

May 2015

Our Nisg-a’a Day celebrations, origi-

nally scheduled to take place at the Nisg

-a’a Museum on May 11, were

rescheduled to May 19 as an Open House celebration here at NLG.

I had a number of meetings, namely with the Premier’s Chief of Staff. Chief Councillor Ron Nyce and Chief Councillor Gerald Robinson and I also met in respect of a potential hydro project. We have continued our meetings in respect of LNG.

Members of the NLG Executive raised the question that we must explore other opportunities within the nation and within our Treaty. One of those opportunities is the hydro reservation in the Treaty. We received a report from the Deputy Director of Lands & Resources on the gauges in the streams. It is a very detailed and lengthy report on the Anudol project.

We also met with Federal Fisheries Minister Gail Shea to discuss the NNFC licenses. To be proactive we put a proposal forward and to our



surprise the Minister accommodat-ed a meeting.

As a nation, we must begin the dialogue regarding the re-align-ment of the Elder’s Package to determine how we move forward so that Nisg

-a’a citizens will benefit

from the activities of the nation and the nation’s assets. We are charged with the responsibility for the protection of the nation’s assets, especially in respect of our Settlement Trust. So we must ensure it is secure and sustainable for future generations of Nisg

-a’a —

our grandchildren and great-grand-children. We are starting a dialogue and approach it in an open-mind way, with exploration of every reasonable option. In these discussions, there is no right and no wrong answer.

I’m pleased with the progress the government is making in respect of the legislative review mandated by the Executive and WSN.

A three-day Nisg-a’a Education

Conference themed ‘Embracing Education in the Spirit of Sayt-K’il’im-G-oot’ took place May 20, 21 and 22, 2015 in the Nisg

-a’a Village

of Gitlax-t’aamiks. We had some very special guests in attendance at the 2015 Education Conference: a commercial airplane pilot with Air Canada, lawyers, PhDs in Archi-tecture, Sociology and Education,

Red Seal electricians, carpenters and cement masonries. It was a very well-rounded, diverse list of guest speakers and panelists who all had one thing in common: they are all Nisg

-a’a.

June 2015

The Gitmax-mak-’ay Prince Rupert/Port Edward Nisg

-a’a Society

honoured its founders in a celebration dinner commemorating the 50th anniversary since it was established as a Nisg

-a’a Tribal

Council Urban Local in 1965. The dinner took place on Friday June 12, 2015 at the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre arena.

While on their campaign trail leading up to the June 25, 2015 election for BC AFN Regional Chief, candidates Mr. Shane Gottfriedson, Mr. Bob Chamberlin and Mr. Doug White each made presentations to the NLG Executive. I congratulated Mr. Shane Gottfriedson on his victory and wished him well on his new post as BC AFN Regional Chief.

We attended a number of meetings with LNG companies. We met with them and we listened to what they had to say to us. They still continue to be very interested.

We were concerned that the feder-al government was preparing once again to introduce its proposed Fiscal Harmonization Initiative (FHI), which Nisg

-a’a Nation, along

with our Land Claims Agreement Coalition, had vigorously opposed as being inconsistent with the Nisg

-a’a Treaty.

On June 22, 2015, The Nisg-a’a

Nation, as represented by the NLG Executive, entered into the Police Services Funding Contribution Agreement with Canada.

As well, the NLG provided financial support for existing and new hous-ing for Nisg

-a’a citizens residing on

Nisg-a’a Lands with the disburse-

ment of $848,403.25 to each Nisg

-a’a Village Government.

On June 22, 2015, the Executive established an Interim Nisg

-a’a

Language and Culture Authority, and directed the Ayuuk-hl Nisg

-a’a

Department to bring forward to Executive a list of Nisg

-a’a citizens

who may be considered for appointment on the Interim Nisg

-a’a Language and Culture

Authority. The Executive also requested that the Boards of Wilp Wilx-o’oskwhl Nisg

-a’a Institute and

of School District No. 92 (Nisg-a’a)

consider for appointment one of their respective board members to sit on the Interim Nisg

-a’a

Language and Culture Authority.



July / August 2015

On July 22nd, the Executive met with representatives of the Nisg

-a’a

Valley Health Authority to provide input in to the Nisg

-a’a Nation

Health Plan 2015-2020 titled “A Shared Path to Improved Health”.

As President, I along with my elect-ed colleagues remain committed to the vision of improved health ser-vices for our people, and we intend to ensure the Health Authority lives up to this plan. So I urged all Nisg

-a’a citizens to review the plan

that is available on our website.

Chief Roger William of the Ts’ilhqot’in National Government visited the Nass Valley and had opportunity to observe and address Wilp Si’ayuuk-hl Nisg

-a’a (WSN)

at its summer sitting on July 27, 2015. All members of WSN stood in honour as Chief William then shared a traditional Loon song that is a part of Ts’ilhqot’in history. Chief William then exchanged gifts with the Executive officers. I concluded the exchange with words of encouragement to Chief William and the Ts’ilhqot’in Nation.

Majag-aleehl Nisg

-a’a received

honourable mention and an award at the 2015 Calgary Stampede, and thanked its largest contribu-tor, Nisg

-a’a Lisims Government,

for their financial support of $31,000.00. The 2015 Annual Calgary Stampede is the second largest parade in North America next to the Rose Bowl, and out of 15 entrants in the Marching Band Category, it placed an impressive 5th place.

Elections Canada produced elections information relevant to the next federal election in the Nisg

-a’a Language, facilitated by

the Ayuuk-hl Nisg-a’a Department:

http://www.elections.ca/vot/abo/info/VG-Nisga’a.pdf.

Voter Identification-Nisg-a’a at

http://www.elections.ca/vot/ids/abo/ID-Nisgaa.pdf.

To give effect to our agreement with PRGT, the Nisg

-a’a Lisims

Government Executive granted to PRGT a license of occupation under section 6 of the Nisg

-a’a Land Act.

On July 27, 2015, the Wilp Si’ayuuk-hl Nisg

-a’a requested the

NLG Executive to investigate the administrative, legal, financial and other issues that may be involved in the establishment of a Nisg

-a’a

Public Institution in connection with the delivery of health services within Nisg

-a’a Lands and, to the

extent the Executive considers it advisable, obtain the views of the Nisg

-a’a Valley Health Authority

(NVHA) in relation to the establish-ment of such a Nisg

-a’a Public

Institution, and report on the status of its investigation at the October 2015 sitting of the House.

Over the course of that summer, our fishers had one of the best seasons in the in-river and marine sale fisheries with a record number of openings and revenues earned by fishers.

September 2015

I attended the opening of the Stewart World Port in Stewart, BC on September 16, 2015 along

with the Secretary-Treasurer and the Chairperson of the Council of Elders. The opening of this port is a sign of things to come with respect to economic development in the region.

On September 22, we met with Lax Kw’alaams in respect of N Licenses — salmon, halibut, troll, and crab. Because of the state of the fishing industry, those other non-salmon species are the only other avenue where our people can be meaning-fully employed in the industry.

We had the opportunity to meet with Skeena-Bulkley Valley NDP candidate and our incumbent MP Mr. Nathan Cullen. We discussed a number of important issues with Mr. Cullen including the proposed federal Fiscal Harmonization Policy.

In our Treaty, there is a hydro res-ervation which provides us with an awesome investment opportunity. At the September Executive, the Director of Lands and Resources de-livered a report on a proposed hydro-electric project report — a project we could initiate. It’s time for the nation to make a decision. It’s time for us to create opportunity for ourselves which may require an investment from the nation so that we are 100% shareholders in a wealth creation project which we initiate. We must consider this collectively and start thinking in business terms about how our money can work for us.

In respect of finances, the Execu-tive of Nisg


approved the recommendation of the Nisg

-a’a Finance Committee that

NLG retain TD Commercial Banking for the provision of NLG’s banking services for a term of five years.


http://www.elections.ca/vot/abo/info/VG-Nisga’a.pdf

http://www.elections.ca/vot/abo/info/VG-Nisga’a.pdf

http://www.elections.ca/vot/ids/abo/ID-Nisgaa.pdf

http://www.elections.ca/vot/ids/abo/ID-Nisgaa.pdf


October 2015

On October 19, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau won a resounding majority with 184 seats. Prior to the election, we had met with Mr. Justin Trudeau, his senior team, and senior advisor Rick Theis whom we briefed about our major issues. I am more opti-mistic that if issues arise respecting the implementation of our Treaty, it will no longer seem like a perpet-ual challenge to have our concerns heard. I am excited by our future prospects in light of these political developments.

As reported at the Executive meeting, we continued to follow up on opportunities related to LNG. We met with an LNG company, and Minister Rich Coleman. I also attended the annual GasTech Conference in Singapore from October 27-30, 2015.

On October 16, NCFS relocated their offices in Terrace which are now better suited to serving clients as NCFS assumes greater levels of responsibility going forward. We remind everyone that the property is a lease, not a purchase.

On October 19, we held a joint press conference with the Government of BC respecting the announcement of $2.1 million to the Nisg

-a’a Nation

for job skills training to be adminis-

tered by NEST. Over the next three years, $2.1 million will be utilized in the NLG Path to Employment program which will provide training, work experience and entry to trades apprenticeships for 215 participants from the Nisg

-a’a communities.

WSN passed a balanced final budget for fiscal year 2015/16 as required by Nisg

-a’a law. I am also

very pleased that the WSN has passed a resolution to move forward the establishment of a new Nisg

-a’a Public Institution

respecting health services which will be accountable to Nisg

-a’a

Nation. At the same time, we will ensure a smooth transition from the current NVHA so that services will continue throughout, with little or virtually no disruption to the people who work hard to provide us with health services. WSN voted unanimously in favour of the resolution, which makes it a historical first in exercising provisions of the Nisg

-a’a Treaty

and the Nisg-

a’a Constitution in respect of the establishment of a Nisg

-a’a Public Institution for

the delivery of health service.

On October 1, 2015, we were pleased to announce a comprehen-sive Benefits Agreement between the Nisg


on behalf of the Nisg-a’a Nation,

and WindRiver Power Corporation in respect of WindRiver’s planned

50 megawatt hydroelectric project at Kinskuch Lake. This project is completely consistent with our vision of sustainable prosperity and self-reliance.

On October 15, 2015, the third annual International LNG in BC conference took place in Vancouver and Executive Chairperson Kevin McKay represented the Nisg

-a’a

Nation in a panel conversation with Minister of Aboriginal Relations & Reconciliation John Rustad, Former Chief of Tsawwassen First Nation Kim Baird and AFN Regional Chief Shane Gottfriedson.

The Nisg-a’a Finance Committee

recommended that the Executive exercise its termination rights under section 38(1) of the service delivery agreement between the Nisg

-a’a Nation and the Nisg

-a’a

Valley Health Authority dated April 1, 2013 (the “Agreement”). Considering that the Nisg

-a’a

Nation has an obligation under the Nisg

-a’a Nation Fiscal Financing

Agreement made April 1, 2009 (the “FFA”), to ensure the ongoing provision of health services on Nisg

-a’a Lands, the Executive

direct the Chief Executive Officer to investigate:

+ the conditions that must be satisfied before the Nisg

-a’a

Nation may terminate the Agreement;



+ how termination of the Agreement may affect the Nisg

-a’a Nation’s obligations

under the FFA to provide health services on Nisg

-a’a

Lands; and

+ the options currently available to the Nisg

-a’a Nation for

meeting its obligations under the FFA to provide health services on Nisg

-a’a Lands if

the Agreement is terminated.

The CEO was then to report to the Executive on the findings of his investigation at the December, 2015 meeting of the Executive.

On October 21, 2015, the WSN passed a resolution about the respective responsibilities of NLG and NVG’s in reference to economic development opportunities.

November / December 2015

Prime Minister Trudeau provided a personal invitation to my office to attend the opening session of the 42nd Parliament in Ottawa on Friday December 4. I was deeply honoured to accept this invitation on behalf of the Nisg

-a’a Nation.

It was a momentous occasion to be on the floor of the Senate Chamber, gathered with all the Ministers, Senators, Members of Parliament, the Supreme Court of Canada and the Governor General as it represented recognition of the Nisg

-a’a Nation that we are an

important constituency of interest in Canadian society.

On November 5, we had our quar-terly Tripartite Implementation and Tripartite Finance Committee

meetings with Canada and British Columbia held in Ging

-olx. We are

having challenges with the comple-tion of annual Tripartite Implemen-tation Reports due to BC’s lengthy review process. We advised them at that meeting that we will be re-viewing our reporting options. We thank the Nisg

-a’a Village of Ging

-olx

for their excellent hospitality in hosting these meetings.

I extended my personal congratula-tions to the Nisg

-a’a scholar Dr. Jean-

nie Morgan who received her PhD in Sociology from the University of British Columbia on November 26.

I along with the Officers, CEO, Gen-eral Counsel and Director of Com-munications met with a number of federal ministries in Ottawa, includ-ing the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance; Minister of Natural Resources; Ministry of Transport; Liberal MP Wayne Easter and NDP MPs Charlie Angus and Romeo Saganash. As a new gov-ernment we thought it was timely to meet with these individuals to brief them on important matters in relation to the implementation of the Nisg


As Co-Chair of the Land Claims Agreement Coalition (LCAC), we also participated in the LCAC conference ‘Making Treaties Work’ in Ottawa. The Secretary-Treasurer and I also recently met with the Trustees of the Lisims Fisheries Conservation Trust. We are very pleased with the management of the trust and our ability to access funds for the successful management of our Fish-eries program. The Nisg

-a’a Lisims

Government Executive enacted the Nisg

-a’a Land Amendment Act, 2015

In Force Regulation.

Further to the Nisg-

a’a Constitution, the Executive called for a Special Assembly of the Nisg

-a’a Nation to

take place in the Nisg-a’a Village of

Gitlax-t’aamiks from Monday, May 2 to Thursday, May 5, 2016.

January 2016

I congratulated Mr. Sheldon Martin who was the successful candidate in the January 26, 2016 by-election for the Vancouver Nisg

-a’a Urban

Local. I’m pleased that younger people are putting their names forward to hold political office in Nisg

-a’a Government.

We are now entering our second year of Nisg

-a’a property taxation.

All residents on Nisg-a’a Lands

received a letter from BC Assess-ment in early January after which Property Tax notices will be issued from Nisg

-a’a Lisims Government’s

Property Tax Administrator.

On January 19, 2016, NPVLP announced a major milestone negotiated in the 2011 that North-west Transmission Line benefits agreement between the Nisg

-a’a

Nation and BC Hydro has come to fruition. Lisims Communica-tions (a Nisg

-a’a Nation owned and

operated internet service provider) and subsidiary of Nisg

-a’a Pacific

Ventures LP announced that, as of December 8, 2015, the internet connection into the Nass Valley has been upgraded to fibre optic for all Nisg

-a’a Government entities, busi-

nesses and residential subscribers for three of our Nisg

-a’a Villages.

Existing services were improved to Ging

-olx which will also receive its

fibre optic upgrade.



This upgrade was only possible due to the 2011 benefits agree-ment between the Nisg

-a’a Nation

and BC Hydro which was the first major agreement achieved under the Nass Area Strategy. We are still realizing the benefits of that agreement today.

The Nisg-a’a Valley Health Authority

(NVHA) held its 28th Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Ts’oohl Ts’ap Memorial Centre in Gitwinksihlkw on January 18th, as required by its Constitution and Bylaws.

The Nisg-a’a Nation, as represented

by the Nisg-a’a Lisims Government

Executive, filed a notice of complaint under Part 4 of the British Columbia Assessment Act in respect of the assessed value of the NTL Right of Way as set out in the 2015 Supplementary Roll.

The Executive of Nisg-a’a Lisims

Government also approved the appointment of Ms. Denise Verreault to the position of Director of Programs and Services, and appointed Ms. Esther Adams as the Nisg

-a’a Elections Officer, in

accordance with section 71 of the Act, effective February 5, 2016.

February 2016

In February, we made two trips to Ottawa to meet with Federal

officials from various departments to lobby the government on issues of importance to the Nisg

-a’a Nation

and to pursue our aspirations in re-spect of sustainable development.

We also met with our partners on the Land Claims Agreement Coalition (LCAC) in our annual leadership meeting to continue our efforts to the lobby the federal government to adopt a compre-hensive Implementation Policy for modern treaties such as our Treaty.

I congratulated the Nisg-a’a Village

of Gitlax-t’aamiks for an excellent job in hosting the annual Hoobiyee celebrations on February 26 & 27, 2016. It was very nice to see friends and family unite to celebrate our new season of harvest.

On behalf of the Nisg-a’a Nation, I sent

a letter of congratulation to Ms. Mel-anie Mark, MLA Vancouver-Mount Pleasant, on a successful campaign to become the first aboriginal woman in British Columbia to be elected to the Provincial Legislature. We are extremely proud that she is con-tinuing on the path taken by Frank Calder and Larry Guno by choosing to serve in public office. It was yet another milestone in the history of the Nisg

-a’a people and for aboriginal

women across British Columbia.

The Nisg-a’a Employment, Skills

& Training (NEST) department

announced the launch of its new website at www.nisgaaworks.ca for launch February 10, 2016.

The Executive Director presented to the Executive a memorandum entitled “Analysis on terminat-ing funding to the Nisg

-a’a Valley

Health Authority” where the Executive members were asked to consider the options provided in the December 2015 Health memo-randum they wish to pursue. The Executive directed the Chief Exec-utive Officer and Executive Director to proceed by pursuing the option outlined as Option C.

March 2016

March 2016 will perhaps be remem-bered as one of the most historic months in the nation’s history since the effective date of the Nisg


On March 27, we announced that the Nisg

-a’a Nation has been work-

ing with the Province of British Columbia to conclude the transfer of approximately 22,000 ha of Provincial Crown upland (called “Nasoga Gulf Upland”) in fee sim-ple, and a long term lease over the foreshore and submerged lands at Nasoga Gulf.

It is anticipated that once the Nasoga Gulf Upland is transferred



to the Nisg-a’a Nation, those lands

will be added to Nisg-a’a Lands

pursuant to paragraph 11 of the Lands Chapter of the Nisg

-a’a

Final Agreement.

Pursuant to the October 2014 agreement with Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Ltd. (“PRGT”) which allows PRGT to build a natural gas pipeline through the Nass Area and Nisg

-a’a Lands, the Nisg

-a’a Nation

has an option to secure capacity in the proposed PRGT pipeline for use by an LNG developer. Since that time the Nisg

-a’a Nation has been

actively pursuing opportunities for LNG development in the vicinity of Nasoga Gulf. Although no project is proposed for this location at this time, the area may eventually be developed and may include LNG or other infrastructure development. Nisg

-a’a citizens will, of course, be

informed as these opportunities progress. Discussions in respect of this proposed transfer will continue and the Province will soon begin consultation discussions with Lax Kw’alaams First Nation, Metlakatla First Nation, Kitsumkalum First Nation and Kitselas First Nation.

Our legislature was busy as well. In addition to other important legislation, the WSN enacted the Nisg

-a’a Expropriation Act which will

protect the rights and interests of Nisg

-a’a citizens by ensuring a fair

and orderly process in the event of any expropriation.

We were also honoured to have the BC Assembly of First Nations meet on Nisg

-a’a Lands in Lax-g

-alts’ap,

further to a commitment by BC Regional Chief Shane Gottfriedson to hold these sessions in communi-

ties. We were also honoured to have National Chief Perry Bellegarde travel from Ottawa to be here for this session. Finally, Grand Chief Ed John from the BC First Nations Summit issued an apology on behalf of the BC Chiefs for their lack of support to the Nisg

-a’a Nation in the Calder Case

to the Supreme Court of Canada. In all, it was another momentous occasion in the history of our people. My congratulations to the Village of Lax-g

-alts’ap.

point form summary

May / June 2014

+ Attended LNG in BC Conference in May and the World LNG Summit in San Antonio

+ BC Environmental Assessment Office (BCEAO) hosted 4 Open Houses in the Nass Valley

+ We concluded a comprehen-sive agreement with Avanti re: proposed Kitsault Molybdenum Mine Project in northwestern British Columbia

+ WSN enacted the Nisg-

a’a Landholding Transition Act

+ Executive approved the Vetter Falls Business and Re-In-vestment Project Plan 2014, the Nisg

-a’a Tourism Strategy

Implementation 2014 project application; and adopted the Nisg

-a’a Fisheries Licence Bank

Plan, and the Nisg-a’a Post-Sec-

ondary Education Assistance Program Policy 2014

+ Executive approved the reprint of ‘Lock, Stock and Barrel: Nisg

-a’a Ownership Statement.’

+ NLG’s Seasonal Wildland Fire-fighter Program established

July / August 2014

+ Entered into Benefits Agree-ment with Seabridge Gold re: KSM Project which includes commitments to jobs, contract-ing opportunities, education training, and financial payments. Also addresses concerns around potential environmental and social impacts of the KSM proj-ect. Also entered into Benefits agreement with Avanti Mines respecting their Kitsault project

+ The Nisg-a’a Nation entered into

several significant agreements with the Government of BC respecting – Settlement agreement

to resolve issues over imple-mentation of environmental assessment and consultation obligations under the Nisg

-a’a

Treaty– Nisg

-a’a Real Property Tax

Coordination Agreement, and – Kitsault Mine Economic and

Community Development agreement

+ Share of revenues from the Long Lake hydroelectric project

+ Congratulated Tsilhqot’in on their recent victory in the Supreme Court of Canada



September 2014

+ At the Premier’s gathering, I made a statement to the other First Nations in attendance

+ Nisg-a’a Nation received a pres-

tigious economic development award from CANDO

October 2014

+ NVHA host blessing of new state of the art x-ray, lab, ultrasound and optometry equipment

+ NLG partakes in October 16 Great BC Shakeout earthquake exercise

November 2014

+ Benefits agreement reached with Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Ltd. (PRGT) critical to Nisg

-a’a Nation’s

aspirations to become a world class LNG exporter. Nisg

-a’a

Nation and PRGT agree to work together to determine future natural gas distribution to homes in the Nass Valley. Agreement includes direct financial benefits, including annual payments, capacity funding, exclusive contracting opportunities, camp services, security and medical services. With our historic property tax agreement with BC in July 2014, we will be able to tax all these facilities and provide revenue to Nisg

-a’a Nation

+ Nisg-a’a Nation has collectively

had 27 opportunities over the previous 2 years to discuss LNG development

+ NLG was announced winner in the ‘Best Reward & Recognition Strategy’ category at the Canadian HR Awards ceremony

+ BC Legislature enacted key pieces of legislation and two economic benefits agreements

+ Majag-aleehl K-’alii-Aksim march

in the Grey Cup Parade

December 2014

+ Nation’s assets re-organized under Nisg

-a’a Pacific

Ventures LP

+ Eva Clayton appointed as a director of the board of the North West Regional Hospital District as result of tax agree-ment with BC

January 2015

+ Property Taxation is imple-mented on Nisg

-a’a Lands.

Properties are assessed by BC Assessment and tax notices issued by Nisg

-a’a Nation Tax

Administrator. Revenues will provide funding for our infra-structure, and our social and economic programs. Impact of assessments addressed through Home Owner Grant, Low Income Grants, and exemptions for public service and other institutions such as our churches

February 2015

+ Executive accepted Finance Committee’s recommendation that the annual budget spend rate of the Nisg

-a’a Settlement

Trust be reduced to a maximum of 1.8% to be reviewed every three years

+ Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, Judith Guichon visited the Nass Valley

March 2015

+ Once again, we celebrated Hoobiyee. Our congratulations to Ging

-olx.

+ Passed our first provisional budget under the new fiscal reality without capital transfers

+ Nisg-a’a Nation Delegated

Services Agreement, the Executive authorized signature of the Amendment Agreement

+ Signed an extension to the Non-Delegated Services Liability Insurance & Indemnity Agreement

April 2015

+ Represented the nation on the Premier’s Executive Committee on resource development

+ Attended China LNG International Summit

+ Cooperation and benefits agreement in respect of Pretivm’s Brucejack Project



+ WSN mandated a formal review and analysis of existing Nisg

-a’a laws

May 2015

+ Our Nisg-a’a Day celebrations, re-

scheduled to May 19 as an Open House celebration here at NLG

+ Meetings held with Premier’s Chief of Staff

+ We must look to other opportu-nities with our Treaty — poten-tial Nisg

-a’a hydro project

+ Continued our meetings in respect of LNG

+ Federal Fisheries Minister Gail Shea to discuss the NNFC licenses

+ Legislative review mandated by the Executive and WSN

+ Nisg-a’a Education Conference

themed ‘Embracing Education in the Spirit of Sayt-K’il’im-G-oot’

June 2015

+ The Gitmax-mak-’ay Prince Rupert/Port Edward Nisg

-a’a

Society celebrates 50 years and honoured its founders

+ Candidates Mr. Shane Gottfried-son, Mr. Bob Chamberlin and Mr. Doug White each made presen-tations to the NLG Executive. Congratulated Shane Gottfried-son on his successful election as BC AFN Regional Chief

+ Meetings with LNG companies

+ Fiscal Harmonization Initiative (FHI)

+ Signed Police Services Funding Contribution Agreement with Canada

+ Financial support for existing and new housing for Nisg

-a’a

citizens provided to NVGs

+ Interim Nisg-a’a Language and

Culture Authority established

July / August 2015

+ NVHA issued Health Plan 2015-2020 titled “A Shared Path to Improved Health”

+ Chief Roger William of the Ts’ilhqot’in National Govern-ment visited the Nass Valley

+ Majag-aleehl Nisg

-a’a received

honourable mention at the 2015 Calgary Stampede

+ Elections Canada produced elections information in the Nisg

-a’a Language in consulta-

tion with NLG Ayuuk-hl Nisg-a’a

Department

+ Nisg-a’a Lisims Government

Executive granted to PRGT a license of occupation

+ the WSN requested the NLG Executive to investigate the ad-ministrative, legal, financial and other issues that may be involved in the establishment of a Nisg

-a’a

Public Institution in connection with the delivery of health ser-vices within Nisg

-a’a Lands

+ One of the best seasons for the in-river and marine sale fisheries

September 2015

+ Opening of the Stewart World Port in Stewart

+ Met with Lax Kw’alaams in respect of N Licenses — salmon, halibut, troll, and crab

+ Discussed a number of important issues with our MP Mr. Cullen

+ Discussed Nisg-a’a Hydro reser-

vation which provides us with an awesome investment opportunity

+ NLG retain TD Commercial Banking for the provision of NLG’s banking services

October 2015

+ Prior to the federal election, we had met with Mr. Justin Trudeau and his senior team

+ Met with another important LNG company, and Minister Rich Coleman

+ Attended GasTech Conference in Singapore

+ NCFS relocated their offices in Terrace

+ BC funds $2.1 million to the Nisg

-a’a Nation for job skills train-

ing to be administered by NEST

+ WSN passed a balanced final budget for fiscal year 2015/16



+ WSN passed a resolution to move forward the establish-ment of a new Nisg

-a’a Public

Institution re: Health

+ Entered into a benefits agree-ment with WindRiver re: planned 50 megawatt hydro-electric project at Kinskuch Lake

+ Attended third annual Interna-tional LNG in BC conference

+ WSN passes resolution re: responsibilities of NLG and NVG’s in reference to economic development opportunities

November / December 2015

+ Invited to attend opening of 42nd Parliament in Ottawa

+ Tripartite Implementation and Tripartite Finance Committee meetings with Canada and BC

+ Nisg-a’a scholar Dr. Jeannie

Morgan received her PhD in Sociology from the UBC

+ Met with a number of federal ministries in Ottawa, including the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance; Minister of Natural Resources; Ministry of Transport; Liberal MP Wayne Easter and NDP

MPs Charlie Angus and Romeo Saganash

+ LCAC conference ‘Making Treaties Work’ in Ottawa

+ Special Assembly of the Nisg-a’a

Nation to take place in the Nisg

-a’a Village of Gitlax-t’aamiks

January 2016

+ Younger people are considering putting their names forward to hold political office in Nisg

-a’a

Government

+ Second year of Nisg-a’a

property taxation

+ Installation of fibre optic technology

+ Nisg-a’a Valley Health Authority

(NVHA) held its 28th Annual General Meeting

February 2016

+ Made two trips to Ottawa to meet with Federal officials

+ Met with our partners on the Land Claims Agreement Coalition (LCAC)

+ Hoobiyee celebrations on February 26 & 27, 2016

+ Melanie Mark — first aboriginal woman in British Columbia to be elected to the Provincial Legislature

+ Nisg-a’a Employment, Skills &

Training (NEST) department announced launch of new website

March 2016

+ March 2016 will perhaps be remembered as one of the most historic months in the nation’s history since effective date of the Treaty

+ Transfer of approximately 22,000 ha of Provincial Crown upland (called “Nasoga Gulf Upland”) in fee simple

+ Opportunities for LNG development re: Nasoga Gulf

+ BC Assembly of First Nations meet on Nisg

-a’a Lands

Respectfully submitted,

Sim’oogit K-’aw’een / H. Mitchell Stevenspresident



Greetings to all Nisg-a’a citizens,

and our non-Nisg-a’a guests.

Welcome to the 8th Special Assembly of the Nisg

-a’a Nation

since May 11th 2000. The Nisg-a’a

Village of Gitlax-t’aamiks is the host community for the 2016 Special Assembly of the Nisg

-a’a Nation.

We look forward to experiencing the hospitality that Gitlax-t’aamiks is known for. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. As always, we pause for a moment to remember our loved ones who have gone before us back to the Spirit World. We are grateful for their contributions to the vision that continues to guide Nisg

-a’a

Nation in implementing the Nisg

-a’a Treaty.

On May 11 2016, we celebrate the 16th Anniversary of the effective date of the Nisg

-a’a Treaty. My

main responsibility is to chair all meetings of the Nisg

-a’a Lisims

Government Executive which are held once a month. The Executive reports to WSN every 3-4 months. As per the Nisg

-a’a Constitution, I

am one of the four officers of NLG. Along with the President, Secre-tary-Treasurer and the Chairperson of the Council of Elders, we carry out responsibilities assigned by the Nisg

-a’a constitution, and Nisg

-a’a

Lisims Government. The Officers make regular reports to NLG Execu-tive, and WSN.

Also, I continue to represent Nisg

-a’a Lisims Government on

the Tripartite Implementation Committee and the Land Claims Agreement Coalition (LCAC). Nisg

-a’a Nation, Canada, and

BC, comprise the Tripartite Implementation Committee which meets 3 times per year. They provide recommendations on effective ways of meeting the challenges in implementing the Nisg

-a’a Treaty. The LCAC is

comprised of all 24 Aboriginal groups in Canada that are now implementing their respective Modern Treaties. The two main Aboriginal groups in the LCAC, are First Nations, and Inuit. The Nisg

-a’a Nation has been in

LCAC since it was established in 2003. The LCAC’s main priority is to advocate for the need to develop and Implement a new national policy for the effective, and efficient Implementation of Modern Treaties. On February 25th 2016, the LCAC held their annual meeting in Ottawa. Since 2003, the LCAC co-chairs have been Nisg

-a’a Nation (First Nations

co-chair) and Nunavat Tungivik Inc. (NTI) (Inuit co-chair). The LCAC Leaders have decided the co-chairs remain Nisg

-a’a

and NTI.

As per NLG’s mission statement, NLG continues to evolve to meet the needs of Nisg

-a’a citizens.

NLG continues to review existing legislation, and regulations. When appropriate amendments are considered, they are brought into effect through due process. As per the Nisg

-a’a Constitution,

Special Assemblies are held every two years. They provide an opportunity for NLG to report to Nisg

-a’a citizens. It is also an

opportunity for Nisg-a’a citizens to

provide their feedback, and inform NLG what their priorities are. The majority of NLG meetings are open to the public. All Nisg

-a’a citizens

are encouraged to observe their local NLG meetings, as well as the Executive, and the WSN meetings held regularly. In carrying out our shared responsibility of Nisg

-a’a

Government, as per NLG’s mission statement tagline, we aspire to “One Heart, One Path, One Nation.”

In closing, it is my sincere hope that the 2016 Special Assembly of the The Nisg

-a’a Nation, meets your

expectations.


W’ii Ajiksim Gibaygum X-sgaak / Kevin McKayexecutive chairperson

office of the executive chairperSoN

W’ii Ajiksim Gibaygum X-sgaak / Kevin McKay executive chairperson


In November of 2012, I stepped in to this position for the Nisg

-a’a

Nation with the swearing of the Oath of Office for Secretary-Trea-surer. It is with great appreciation of the work that was carried out by those with the vision for our nation and those in our historical journey that were entrusted to care for the nation’s resources.

Financial Administration

The Management and control of financial affairs of the Nisg

-a’a Nation

are defined in the Nisg-

a’a Financial Administration Act. On March 30th, 2016 WSN passed the Nisg

-a’a Nation

Provisional Budget that provides for funding appropriations to Nisg

-a’a

Government, Nisg-a’a Village Govern-

ments, Nisg-a’a Urban Locals, Nisg

-a’a

Valley Health Authority (NVHA), School District (SD) #92, and Wilp Wilx-o’oskwhl Nisg

-a’a Institute

(WWNI).

Provisional Budget

This year’s Provisional Budget pre-sented challenges as the Finance Committee considered lower than projected Income Taxes, and mis-cellaneous revenue. As well, with a reduction in the Trust Spend Rate to 1.8%, this ensures the Settle-ment Trust growth is sustainable, however reduces the percentage

available for appropriations. New to this budget is an appropriation for the establishment of a Nisg

-a’a

Public Institution for Health, this stems from a unanimous WSN motion of July 27, 2015.

Personal Income Tax Act

Based upon revenue sharing agreements between the Nisg

-a’a

Nation, Canada, and BC, taxes paid to Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) are returned to the Nisg

-a’a Nation —

therefore the NLG Communications Department has been advertising for Nisg

-a’a citizens earning income

on Nisg-a’a Lands:

• ticK yes on your t1 tax form

The Personal Income Tax Act pro-vides for payments from Canada equal to the amount of income tax assessed on residents on Nisg

-a’a

Lands. The payments for 2013 and 2014 were estimated, therefore 2015 was the first year the CRA was able to reconcile actual tax assessed. This reconciliation required adjustment to correct the optimistic projections.

Property Tax

Legislation to enact Real Property Tax Coordination Agreement legislation was introduced and

passed by Wilp Si’ayuuk-hl Nisg-a’a

in July of 2014. This provides the nation the ability to assess property values through the BC Assessment Authority and to impose taxes based on assessed values. This legislation was expected to be enacted soon after the effective date in 2000, however the potential for LNG projects on Nisg

-a’a Lands

was leveraged to move forward with nation taxing authority. The administration for taxation is currently being carried out by the Chief Financial Officer and Manager of Government Services.

Audit

The Finance Committee has reviewed the Deloitte & Touche LLP, Annual Audit Plan for this fiscal year. Financial Statements must be audited and are approved by Wilp Si’ayuuk-hl Nisg

-a’a annually,

in the July sitting of WSN. Audited Statements are posted on the Nisg

-a’a Nation website:

www.nisgaanation.ca.

Capital Finance Commission

The Capital Finance Commission (CFC) was established to enable the financing of major maintenance or replacement of FFA listed assets. In addition, commission is responsible for management and control of the

office of the Secretary-treaSurer

Bilaam Neek-’hl / Pearly Fin / Corinne McKay

secretary-treasurer


Capital Finance Commission fund in accordance with the Nisg

-a’a Capital

Finance Commission Act. The CFC meets to consider submissions under Schedule C of the FFA, and to consider submissions under the New Assets Act.

Fiscal Financing Agreement

The Fiscal Financing Agreement (FFA) provides funding to the Nisg

-a’a Nation for agreed-upon

services. The current term of the FFA was April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2015, with a provision for the agreement to roll over for two years. Work is in progress to pre-pare for the new FFA negotiations, with the establishment of an FFA Working Group. The work to be done will entail a careful analysis of the funding needs of our villag-es, entities, as well as mandated programs. We are optimistic with the mandate of the Liberal Government to lift the 2% funding cap, to invest in capital, and the Liberal Government’s Ministerial Mandate letters from the Prime Minister of Canada that state “No relationship is more important to me and to Canada than the one with Indigenous Peoples. It is time for a renewed, nation-to-na-tion relationship with Indigenous Peoples, based on recognition of rights, respect, co-operation, and

partnership.” (See more at: http://pm.gc.ca/eng/minister-indige-nous-and-northern-affairs-man-date-letter).

Settlement Trust

The Settlement Trust balance is a regular feature of the NLG Newslet-ter and its market and cost balances are reported in Annual Audited Financial Statements. There has been significant gains in the fund balance, despite concerns with volatile market conditions.

In the most recent WSN of March 2016, a motion was passed for the potential to acquire land at Nasoga Gulf. In anticipation of concluding the transfer a loan will be arranged for funds to be borrowed against the Settlement Trust. Updates will be available through: www.nisgaanation.ca.

The Finance Committee meets with Trust Fund Managers twice a year to receive reports and to under-stand market conditions and the investment strategies employed by Trustees. Trust Fund Managers have reported that fund balances have exceeded benchmarks. Trust Fund appropriations are listed as Designated Trust Funds in Audited Financial Statement and are listed chronologically by year.

Nisg-

a’a Pacific Ventures LP

The NLG Executive concluded that it is beneficial to place activities under the Commercial Group of Companies under the central control of a master limited partner-ship that is owned by the nation. Nisg

-a’a Pacific Ventures Limited

Partnership (NPVL) was created for this purpose. As a nation owned entity, NPVL must comply with the Financial Administration Act for budgeting and financial reporting purposes.

Museum Advisory Committee

The Museum Advisory Committee is comprised of Shirley Morven, Harry Nyce Sr, Terry Holt, Janice Stephens and Corinne McKay. Harry had been involved with the repa-triation of cultural artifacts, he has established networks and knowl-edge of the repatriation process. He has advised our committee of the Museums interested in Custo-dial Arrangements of objects from Nisg

-a’a villages.

We extended a warm welcome to Stephanie Halapija who has joined us as the Curator for Nisg

-a’a Museum.


http://pm.gc.ca/eng/minister-indigenous-and-northern-affairs-mandate-letter





Encouragement

The 2017 North American Indig-enous Games will take place in Toronto. To our youth who try out and become members of Team BC, congratulations.

To our citizens who have achieved graduation status in educational achievements and awards, con-gratulations and all the best in your endeavors. I have had the privilege of attending the Graduation Cele-brations for Dr. Amy Parent and Dr. Jeannie Morgan — it is inspira-tional and uplifting.

To those who have had losses, our forefathers have started each meeting with prayer and honouring our loved ones; we have continued this important cultural tradition.

In the reports for this Special Assembly, I hope that you can see progress, as well as joining us in the work to move forward as a progressive nation.

“Too often other First Nations are spectators to projects, you can achieve an agreement that does more for the Nisg

-a’a Nation.”

(Thomas Berger, WSN, October 29, 2013)

Si aamhl wilin,


Bilaam Neek-’hl / Pearly Fin

Corinne McKay, MBA, BCommsecretary-treasurer


Dr. Amy Parent

Dr. Jeannie Morgan


Gilmu’unskwhl Miinhl Han’ iit’aahl T’ist’isit

Mm’ aahl Hlok-s ahl 2016

Greetings to you. I am uplifted to see so many committed to noting the progress your NLG and Wilp Si’ayuuk-hl Nisg

-a’a have made.

In addition I look forward to you providing your input and voicing your concerns as you did during our last Special Assembly in May of 2014. I applaud you for attending. I say this because the only way we will continue to move forward is by working together as we do in the Council of Elders.

First, I will name some of the talents of a traditional Council of Elders member. These I have discovered in my capacity as Chair for the Council of Elders (CoE). Your CoE functions in accordance with our Constitution and our Governance Act. It is a supportive role which requires diplomacy, advocacy, flexibility, durability, humility1, and a sense of humor among other traits. Most importantly it necessitates one to be able to blend traditional knowledge with that from mainstream education and experiences, much as it had for those simgigat who counselled

1 To have humility means one must think of one’s self less but not less of one’s self:

and advised their wilwilaa’iskwgum land and resource owners ahl hli daa la’ooy’ ; those who had to transact with the Newcomers. There’s a gap between those experiences of our wealthy ancestors and our experiences as we begin again revitalizing our knowledge, that which will enable us to recognize and take hold of the opportunities on our doorstep. Fortunately there are 16 unique members in your Council of Elders which makes the demands from our responsibilities more stress-free because they are being shared by each exceptional member. In turn, this facilitates the work your Executive, WSN, and employees do on your behalf.

As one of the four officers in your NLG and WSN there are meetings to attend:

+ The quarterly WSN sittings;

+ The regular two-days, a month Executive deliberations;

+ The Extra-ordinary Executive sessions;

+ The annual assembly of the Land Claims Agreement Coalition, where President Stevens has a vote and Kevin McKay (our historian) is a co-chair;

+ Programs and Services Committee which is chaired by Gitmax-mak-’ay Executive member, Clifford Morgan;

+ POPS Sub-Committee, chaired by Executive member, Ron Nyce, our AG;

+ Finance Committee, chaired by Secretary-Treasurer, Corinne McKay. I attend for specific times such as when my guidance is required.

NLG Support

+ In-House Legal Group: Thank you to this group for helping to make our work officially accurate.

+ Ayuuk-hl Nisg-a’a Department

Memorial Services

It is a given that death has always been a major part of living. The traditional ayuuk- and customs created by our ancestors ensure that we adhere to our treasured practices we utilize as we support the members of our families who have passed as well as those who remain. These cherished practices assist us in protecting our iden-tities, names and other customs. However, while the ayuuk- strength-ens us, it does not make it any

office of the chairperSoN of the couNcil of elderS

Sigidimnak-’ Ang-aye’e / Shirley Morvenchairperson, council of elders


easier when our loved ones return to the Spirit World. We grieve.

Our condolences go out to you who have suffered great losses of your loved and valued family members. Dim amg

-oodim’ n’ isim’ ahl ts’im

gigiingwax-kw.

Functions

+ Attended the Stewart World Port opening last September. Beautiful country, but freezing. Almost got hypothermia.

+ Attended BC Assembly of First Nations in Lax-g

-alts’ap. Put into

practice our traditional Gwilks Haldim Guutkw with the help of Sim’oogit Ksim X-aan, my brother, Claude, Sim’oogit Duuk-’, and K-’ak-’etgum Yee. T’ooyak-siiy’ n’ isim’ .

+ Attended graduation of Jeannie Morgan, PhD, at UBC. Si aam ji wilin, Dr. Morgan. Anp’il ajiksim’ n’ iin.

+ Attended, each year, the grad-uation of secondary students from the Terrace Urban Local. Sim lug

-atg

-oot’inskw sim.

Advocacy

+ Our people who require support contact me regarding accessing health care. Some remember I was chair of the NVHB from the late 90s to the 4th year following the NFA. When I advocate for our people, it is not to find fault with any work being done on our behalf. However it does show us what our real progress is.

+ I thank the 2 employees of our NVHA for giving one client information about accessing additional financial support.

+ I thank the client who patiently waited while I sought clarifi-cation about the process of gaining access to complete information for patient travel.

T’is Hak’yo’o

Encouraging our people, using the skills I was given by our Creator:

+ Through our opening and closing prayers at our sayt wan

+ Is the focus of my member statements which I make when I need to

+ Acknowledging the work of committee members, WSN members, Executive members, and staff, either one-to-one, or as a group

+ Providing, upon request, Nisg

-a’a information about

traditional practices

+ Through dialogues each of our Officers.

Sim’algax-am’

Selected members of the Council of Elders work with the AND with regard to our language. In addition there is a list of fluent speakers who may be called upon to assist the AND. There has been a very modest beginning of the Nisg

-a’a

Language Authority this year which consisted of one meeting. I antici-pate a report in due course.

In closing I extend to you our good wishes and look forward to more of us actively pursuing a healthy life-style, continuing to develop strong family ties and good, productive experiences while arranging to make your needs known to our programs and service providers.

G- abiihl dim hiy’,


Dorcas Ang-aye’e / Shirley Morvenchairperson, council of elders



New members of Wilp Si’ayuuk-hl Nisg-a’a (WSN) being officially sworn in



I am pleased to present my report as CEO for Nisg

-a’a Lisims

Government (NLG) to the 2016 Nisg

-a’a Nation Special Assembly

in Gitlax-t’aamiks. Since my appointment as CEO on May 20, 2013, I have received continued strong support and assistance from the Officers, members of the Executive and the staff at NLG.

This report will highlight some of the activities that have occurred over the past two years at NLG and will, in some measure, capture the theme for this year’s Special Assembly: Preparing for Opportunities on Our Doorstep.

Senior Administration

We have made some changes to our senior management team at Nisg

-a’a Lisims Government that

are worthy of note. First of these is Mr. Terry Holt, who joined Nisg

-a’a

Lisims Government as Chief Finan-cial Officer on March 9, 2015. Terry brings to the position an impres-sive portfolio of professional des-ignations. Terry is a Certified Public Accountant, a certified Information Technology Professional and he also has his Master’s Degree in Business Administration. Terry’s previous experience includes a vari-ety of senior level finance positions in both private and public sector organizations. In recent years,

Terry has worked in municipal government as the Manager of Financial Services for the Town of Canmore, Alberta, and most recently for the City of Fernie, BC, where he held the position of Director of Finance and Computer Services. We welcome Terry as our NLG CFO.

On January 28, 2016, Ms. Denise Verreault, who previously held the position of Deputy Director of Programs and Services, was the successful candidate for the posted position and was appointed Director of Programs and Services. Soon after that, Ms. Beverly Azak, who previously held the position of Manager of the Ayuuk-hl Nisg

-a’a

Department, was selected from a posting process as the successful candidate for the position of Deputy Director of Programs and Services. We congratulate these two hard working professionals as our senior management team in the Director-ate of Programs and Services.

NLG has also expressed its gratitude and appreciation to Mrs. Jean Clayton who resigned on October 2015, after holding the position of Nisg

-a’a Elections

Officer for seven years.

We are pleased to report that Ms. Esther Adams was the suc-cessful candidate for the posted position of Nisg

-a’a Elections Officer

and was officially appointed by the

NLG Executive on January 28, 2016. Esther previously held the position of Deputy Nisg

-a’a Elections Officer

during the 1998 Referendum and General Election of 2000. Esther is now busy preparing for the up-coming General Election which is scheduled for early November 2016. With Esther’s previous experience in the Elections Office and as a senior manager we are confident that the upcoming 2016 General Election will be successfully carried out.

We also extend our appreciation to Ms. Carmen Gosnell, who was ap-pointed by the NLG Executive to the position of Temporary Nisg

-a’a Elec-

tions Officer during the preparation and bi-election for the Vancouver Nisg

-a’a Urban Local, non-Executive,

WSN member. This process began when Carmen was appointed Octo-ber 20, 2015, and successfully com-pleted soon after with the election of the youngest, and tallest, WSN member, Mr. Sheldon J. Robinson, on January 26, 2016.

At the February 2015 Executive meeting our Human Resources (HR) Manager, Ms. Cheryl Pelletier, was appointed by the Executive as the NLG Director of Human Resources. This appointment recognizes Ms. Pelletier’s role in providing strategic direction on employment and other related HR matters to NLG. She also oversees and directs the newly established directorate of Human Resources at NLG.

office of the chief executive officer

Sim’oogit Akshl Hlyoon / Collier Azak chief executive officer


The final senior management change to report on is the estab-lishment of the Deputy Director of Lands and Resources position which was filled by Mr. Mansell Griffin in 2015. Mansell previously held the position of Lands Manag-er at NLG. The establishment of the Deputy Director of Lands and Resources is in response to the increased work load in the direc-torate as a result of the increase in activities in resource development in the Nass Area and the position provides the necessary assistance to the Director.

Fiscal Financing Agreement (FFA)

The FFA is a side agreement to the Nisg

-a’a Final Agreement and

is between the Nisg-a’a Nation,

BC and Canada. The FFA provides funding for agreed-upon programs and services for the Nisg

-a’a Nation.

The FFA is negotiated every five years and the term of the current extension expires on March 31, 2017. The Nisg

-a’a Nation has been

in planning and preparation of FFA renewal since July 2013 when the Tripartite Finance Committee tabled these preparations as an agenda item. Since this time, preparations have continued and plans adjust-ed as experience at the table has evolved. At the time of writing this report, the Nisg

-a’a FFA advisory

group was drafting a work plan that will address the nation’s planning, preparations, roles and responsibil-ities, mandates and other matters that will guide the FFA negotiations when it resumes. Like the last FFA renegotiation, we expect NLG and the village governments to form a planning group that will carry

out the ongoing technical work in support of the FFA negotiations. Urban locals are also expected to participate in the planning meet-ings. During the course of this FFA planning and preparation Canada reintroduced their New Fiscal Approach, formerly known as Fiscal Harmonization. We have been very clear in our position with respect to the New Fiscal Approach and while this policy continues to evolve, on its surface, it is difficult to recon-cile it to treaty compliance. Going forward we will insist that treaty compliance is achieved during FFA renewal. Our communications at a high level continues with Canada on this matter. With the implemen-tation of the FFA work plan every effort will be made to conclude the FFA negotiations within the current fiscal year.

Guiding Territory Certificate No. 601084

On October 14, 2015, the regional manager of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations (Smithers) (“FLNRO”) approved the transfer of the guiding territory certificate from Bob Milligan to Collier Azak in trust for the Nisg

-a’a

Nation. Guiding Territory Certificate No. 601084 (the “Certificate”) was issued to Collier Azak in trust for the Nisg

-a’a Nation.

This transfer occurred after nego-tiations between the parties and extensive provincial consultation on the transfer of the guiding territory certificate.

On March 30, 2016, the regional director of Ministry of Environment (Northern Region — Prince George)

approved the issuance of a park use permit 107657 the (“Permit”) to Collier Azak in trust for the Nisg

-a’a Nation for 16 parks, conser-

vancies and recreational areas.

With the issuance of the Certificate and the Permit, the Nisg

-a’a Nation

has now realized its long-standing objective of obtaining the guide outfitting privileges conferred by the Certificate.

Below is a summary of frequently asked questions in respect of the guiding territory certificate and guide outfitting, guide outfitter licences, park use permits, and the future of Nisg

-a’a Guide Outfitting.

What is a GuidinG territory certificate?A guiding territory certificate is an exclusive right to guide and conduct guided hunts for game species within a particular geo-graphic area. Guiding territory cer-tificates are granted under section 59 of the Wildlife Act [RSBC 1996] c. 488 (the “Act”). Guiding territory certificates are granted for a max-imum period of 25 years, but can be renewed prior to the expiration date. Guiding territory certificates have a value that can be sold in the market place. This value is based on several factors, including:

+ The exclusive rights to commercial guided hunting in the area covered by the guiding territory certificate;

+ Access to animals based on the health of wildlife popula-tions in the area;

+ Assets that are developed by the holder of the guiding ter-ritory certificate (e.g. lodges); and



+ Market value of hunts and number of hunts sold.

Who can hold a GuidinG territory certificate? Section 59(1) of the Act states that a guiding territory certificate can be issued to a person, or group of persons. The Act’s definition of “persons” includes, for the purposes of issuing guiding territory certificates, non-natural persons. This means that guiding territory certificates can be issued to legal entities who have the capacity, powers, rights and privileges of an individual person (e.g. corporations). Individual persons must be 19 years or older to hold a guiding territory certificate. A group of individuals can hold a guiding territory certificate, with each individual holding a specified interest in the certificate.

What is a Guide outfitter licence?Only an individual holding a guide outfitter licence can guide persons to hunt (section 51 of the Wildlife Act). A licence holder cannot hunt in a geographic area which is sub-ject to a guiding territory certifi-cate unless they are authorized by the holder of the guiding territory certificate for that particular geo-graphic area. It is common practice for holders of guiding territory certificates to hire several licenced guides to conduct guided hunts, while in smaller territories, guiding territory certificate holders may become licenced guides them-selves. The Nisg

-a’a Nation and

Nisg-a’a Guide Outfitting LP are in

the process of determining who will be hired as permanent and/or seasonal licenced guides.

What is a parK use permit?A park use permit is required to carry out any commercial or industrial activity or enterprise in a park, conservancy or recreation area (section 16 of the Park Act [RSBC 1996] c. 344). A certificate holder cannot authorize licenced guides to conduct hunts within a park, recreational area Or conservancy unless the certificate holder has a valid park use permit for the parks, recreational areas and conservancies located within that particular geographic area.

hoW did the nisG- a’a nation acquire GuidinG territory certificate no. 601036?Bob and Michelle Milligan approached the Nisg

-a’a Nation in

January, 2014 about potentially purchasing Guiding Territory Certificate No. 601036. The Nisg

-a’a

Nation reached an agreement in principle with Bob and Michelle Milligan in April 2014 and entered into a signed purchase agreement in July 2014. The purchase agreement included assets of the company, B&C Coast Mountain Outfitters Ltd. On October 14, 2015, following extensive provincial consultation on the transfer of the guiding territory certificate held by Bob Milligan, FLNRO approved the transfer and a new Guiding Territory Certificate No.601084 was issued to Collier Azak in trust for the Nisg

-a’a Nation.

What area does the certificate cover?The Certificate is one of the largest in British Columbia and grants the exclusive right of the holder to guide within approximately 10,500 square miles (the “Area”). On the original map, the Certificate Area

is outlined in red and the Nass Area is outlined in bold black. The following map (Figure 1) is for general reference purposes only.

Why did the nisG- a’a nation purchase the certificate?Obtaining the guide outfitting priv-ileges conferred by the Certificate has been a long-standing objective of the Nisg

-a’a Nation. The Nisg

-a’a

Final Agreement (Chapter 9) outlines a process of obtaining a guiding territory certificate in the specific instances of abandonment or operation of law. However, these provisions have not been triggered and purchasing the Certificate in an arms-length commercial arrange-ment was the first opportunity the Nisg

-a’a Nation had to obtain guide

outfitting privileges for the areas in which the Nisg

-a’a Nation has

treaty interests.

What Will the milliGans’ role be noW? Now that the Nisg

-a’a Nation

holds the Certificate, the Nisg-a’a

Nation has the exclusive right to guide and conduct guided hunts in the Area. However, the Nisg

-a’a

Nation currently does not have an individual trained and certified to act as a licenced guide under section 51 of the Wildlife Act (BC). Accordingly, arrangements were made with Bob and Michelle Milligan to assist with transition and operation of the guide outfitting business as consultants to the Nisg

-a’a Nation.

What are the next steps for Guide outfittinG in the area?The acquisition of the Certificate provides the opportunity to grow a viable hunting business that



brings economic benefits to the Nisg

-a’a Nation and creates new

jobs for Nisg-a’a citizens. The next

steps in establishing a Nisg-a’a

guide outfitting business will include hiring Nisg

-a’a trainees for

the upcoming hunting season to train with Bob Milligan. In addition to the Nisg

-a’a guide outfitting

business, there is the potential for other related business and services to be developed, such as: fresh water angling, tourism opportunities and taxidermy.

Nass Area Strategy (“NAS”)

Under the Nisg-a’a Final Agree-

ment, the Nisg-a’a Nation has sub-

stantial Treaty rights throughout the Nass Area.

The Nass Area covers almost 27,000 square kilometers. About 8% of this area is Nisg

-a’a Lands

which roughly correspond to what people think of as the Nass Valley from Ginsgox to the coast. The nation owns and has control over development on Nisg

-a’a Lands.

The nation also has comprehensive rights relating to consultation and environmental assessment over proposed developments in the rest of the Nass area (Nisg

-a’a Treaty,

Chapter 10, paragraphs 6-10).

These rights will vary by project but will always include the Treaty rights set out in Chapter 10, Environmen-tal Assessment and Protection, of the Nisg

-a’a Final Agreement which

are triggered any time a potential project may reasonably be expect-ed to have adverse environmental effects on residents of Nisg

-a’a

Lands, Nisg-a’a Lands or Nisg

-a’a

Treaty interests.


Figure 1 / Guide Outfitting Territory and the Nass Area


The objective of the Nass Area Strategy, which was adopted by the NLG Executive in December 2008, is to ensure that proposed develop-ments in the Nass Area will proceed only when all Nisg

-a’a Treaty rights

under the Nisg-a’a Final Agreement

have been complied with, including those Treaty rights dealing with economic, social, cultural and envi-ronmental interests. The nation will rely on these Treaty provisions to ensure that Nisg

-a’a Treaty interests

are protected.

A basic principle of the strategy is that in order for the Nisg

-a’a Nation

to support a resource development project, the nation must be satis-fied that all potential environmen-tal, social and cultural impacts have been assessed, that strategies to mitigate those impacts have been developed and that the nation will receive economic benefits commen-surate with the potential impacts on Nisg

-a’a Nation treaty interests.

When and only when these ele-ments are satisfied will the nation capitalize on the opportunity for Nisg

-a’a economic development.

bacKGroundFor many years, the Nisg

-a’a Nation

has been very proactive in attract-ing sustainable economic develop-ment in the Nass Area and North-ern British Columbia. Over the past 5 years, the Nisg

-a’a Nation

has entered into benefits agree-ments to pursue transmission line, hydro-electric, mining and LNG development. In addition, in late 2014, in accordance with our treaty, we entered into a Real Property Tax Coordination Agreement with BC. This agreement allows the Nisg

-a’a

Nation to levy and collect property tax on Nisg

-a’a Lands.

lonG laKe hydro inc. — lonG laKe hydroelectric project As reported at the 2014 Special Assembly in Gitwinksihlkw, a Benefits Agreement was entered into with Long Lake Hydro Inc. (LLHI), on May 9, 2012, in relation to the Long Lake Hydroelectric Project on Cascade Creek near the town of Stewart. Pursuant to the Agreement, LLHI will make payments to the Nisg

-a’a Nation

based on the occurrence of the following “milestones”: (a) exe-cution of the Agreement, and (b) achievement of the Commercial Operation Date (COD). In addition to the “milestone” payments, LLHI previously paid the Nisg

-a’a Nation

to assist in offsetting the costs it has incurred in connection with the Nisg

-a’a Nation’s participation

in the Environmental Assessment of the project and negotiation of the Agreement. Pursuant to the Agreement, LLHI has agreed to make additional payments for any additional, reasonable documented out-of-pocket costs incurred by the Nisg

-a’a Nation.

Pursuant to the Agreement, LLHI has also agreed to annual revenue sharing payments with the Nisg

-a’a

Nation in relation to the project with the payments to be calculated as a percentage of revenue.

The Agreement also provides for a right of first refusal to purchase the project and employment and business opportunities for Nisg

-a’a

citizens and businesses. Pursuant to the Agreement, a roster of Nisg

-a’a citizens who are available

to work and are interested in employment in connection with the project will be provided to LLHI and its contractors. LLHI

will also provide apprentice training for up to two Nisg

-a’a citizens so

that they have the opportunity to become qualified as hydro station operators.

The Long Lake Hydro Project is now producing and we have received two annual revenue sharing pay-ments pursuant to our agreement.

seabridGe Gold inc. — Ksm projectTwo years ago, we reported that a draft agreement had just been completed with Seabridge Gold Inc. A Benefits Agreement has now been entered into in respect of the gold, copper, silver and molybde-num mine development proposed by Seabridge (the “KSM Project”). Pursuant to the Agreement, Seabridge made lump sum pay-ments to NLG and issued common shares in the capital of Seabridge on the occurrence of the following events: (a) the effective date of the Agreement, (b) Seabridge’s receipt of the Environmental Assessment Certificate and Course of Action Decision, and (c) Seabridge’s receipt of all major permit. Further payments will be made upon (d) commencement of construction, (e) the 20th anniversary of the commercial operation date, and (f) the 40th anniversary of the commercial operation date.

Seabridge will also make annual payments to NLG that are calculat-ed as a percentage of the amount of tax payable in respect of the KSM Project under the Mineral Tax Act. Seabridge will also provide capacity funding to contribute towards NLG’s costs of partici-pating in a Joint Implementation Committee.



The Agreement also provides for:

+ employment opportunities + contracting opportunities for

Nisg-a’a businesses

+ training and education of Nisg

-a’a citizens and Nisg

-a’a

businesses and + commitments in respect of

mitigation and monitoring of environmental impacts.

Currently Seabridge is in the pro-cess of securing financing for the project. Construction will not fully commence until Seabridge has the financing in place to proceed.

Windriver KinsKuch laKe projectIn 2014 we reported that the WindRiver Kinskuch Lake Project was still early in its proposal stage. Today the Nisg

-a’a Nation

and WindRiver have completed a Project Agreement for the Kinskuch Lake Project. Under the Agreement the Nisg

-a’a Nation

will be a partner in the project. NLG will be granted an interest in the equity of the project with voting rights and appropriate board representation. The Agreement contains provisions in respect of payments on the occurrence of the following events: (a) the signing of the impact benefits agreement, (b) signing of an electricity purchase agreement with BC Hydro, and (c) project commissioning.

The Agreement provides for employ-ment and service opportunities in connection with the project, training and employment plans, as well as contracting opportunities.

pretium resources inc. —brucejacK laKeWe reported in 2014 that negotia-tions with Pretium Resources Inc., had just begun. On April 1, 2015 NLG entered into a Project Agree-ment with Pretium Resources Inc. with respect to the potential underground gold and silver mine near Brucejack Lake.

Under the Benefits Agreement Pretium Resources will make a series of lump sum payments to the Nisg

-a’a Nation upon the

occurrence of certain milestones. Pretium Resources will also make an annual payment to the Nisg

-a’a

Nation that will be expressed as a percentage of the mineral tax payable by Pretium for the year. The Benefits Agreement also provides opportunities in respect of contracting and employment for Nisg

-a’a Businesses and

Nisg-a’a citizens.

In addition, the Nisg-a’a Nation

has entered into an Economic, Community Development Agreement with the Province which will see the Province share a percentage of the mineral tax revenue collected from the mine in each year.

Pretium is currently commencing construction of the mine and a number of Nisg

-a’a workers and

contractors are employed at Pretium’s operations.

Kitsault mine projectIn the 2014 Special Assembly report we reported that Dispute Resolution had commenced against BC and Canada with respect to the Kitsault Mine Project.

We are pleased to report that Dispute Resolution against BC and Canada pursuant to Chapter 19 of the Treaty was resolved through negotiations which saw all of the nation’s concerns in respect of the environmental and treaty impacts of the project addressed in 2015. Also, in 2015 the Nisg

-a’a Nation was able to

conclude a Benefits Agreement with Avanti which provided for a series of lump sum payments and an annual net smelter royalty payment. Additionally, the Nisg

-a’a

Nation concluded an Economic, Community Development Agreement with the Province which will see the Province share a percentage of the mineral tax revenue collected from the mine in each year.

Unfortunately since that time, the price of molybdenum has decreased to the point where it is uneconomical for Avanti (now Alloycorp) to proceed with the development of the Kitsault Mine. As a result, the project is on hold indefinitely.

steWart World port (sWp)At this time we are continuing our discussions with Stewart World Port who are constructing a port facility in the Stewart area. We continue to be of the view that the port project requires an environmental assessment under provincial legislation and Chapter 10 of the Treaty. Discussions with the Province on this matter are continuing.



northWest transmission line (ntl)As you know, the construction of the NTL is completed with the final survey of the right of way now being prepared. One of the benefits components to our agreement with BC Hydro on the NTL includes the installation of the fiber optic line from Terrace to Gitlax-t’aamiks in conjunction with the stringing of the hydro transmission line. The work on the fiber optic project is expected to be completed this summer and will connect all of our communities with state of the art internet connection.

prince rupert Gas transmission project A Benefits Agreement was entered into with Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Limited Partnership (PRGT) on October 29, 2014 in relation to the PRGT Project — a proposed LNG pipeline from northeast BC, through Nisg

-a’a

Lands, to the BC coast. Pursuant to the Benefits Agreement, PRGT will make a series of lump sum payments to the Nisg

-a’a Nation

upon the occurrence of certain milestones in the development of the Project. In addition to the milestone payments, PRGT has provided funding to offset the costs incurred by the Nisg

-a’a

Nation in reviewing the Project, participating in the environmental assessments of the Project and in the negotiation of the Benefits Agreement. PRGT has also provided and agreed to provide future funding to contribute to reforestation and any additional environmental studies which the Nisg

-a’a Nation may wish

to undertake.

The Benefits Agreement also provides for ongoing benefits throughout the life of the PRGT Project through annual payments to the Nisg

-a’a Nation based on the

use of the pipeline and lease and right of way payments for the use and occupation of Nisg

-a’a Lands

by the Project. Additionally, PRGT has agreed to make contracting opportunities in connection with the project available to Nisg

-a’a

Businesses.

In addition to the Benefits Agree-ment with PRGT, the Nisg

-a’a Nation

has entered into an agreement with the Province to provide for the Province sharing the benefits associated with the Project with the Nisg

-a’a Nation. Under the agree-

ment the Province will pay lump sum milestone payments as well as yearly payments during the life of the Project.

While payments have already been made under the Benefits Agree-ment, PRGT has not yet proceeded with the Project. PRGT’s Final Investment Decision (FID) in the Project is awaiting the determi-nation as to whether the Pacific Northwest (PNW) LNG plant will proceed. The PNW LNG plant is proposed as the terminus of the PRGT pipeline. The PNW LNG plant has undergone a federal environ-mental assessment and the federal government’s decision in respect of the project is expected in the coming months.

nisG- a’a nation lnG plantUnder the Benefits Agreement with PRGT, the Nisg

-a’a Nation

has the option to use a portion of the pipeline (referred to as the “capacity option”). The Nisg

-a’a

Nation is actively pursuing LNG opportunities through its capacity option on the PRGT pipeline in order to achieve its goal to bring sustainable economic development to the Nisg

-a’a Nation, including the

development of an LNG facility.

The Nisg-a’a Nation has been

seeking a partner to develop the capacity option on the PRGT pipe-line and has met with a number of potential partners in respect of this initiative. The Nisg

-a’a Nation has

also been reviewing potential sites for an LNG plant and has identified lands in Nasoga Gulf as the leading candidate for development.

Westcoast connector Gas transmission projectSpectra Energy Corporation’s West-coast Connector Gas Transmission (WCGT) Project — a proposed LNG pipeline from northeast BC to the proposed Prince Rupert LNG facility and export terminal — has received approval with its environmental assessment certificate, however, the project has been put on hold indefinitely.

The Nisg-a’a Nation has entered

into an agreement with the Province with terms similar to those in the agreement between the Nisg

-a’a Nation and the

Province in respect of the PRGT Project. Accordingly, should the WCGT Project proceed, the Nisg

-a’a

Nation is guaranteed to share in the benefits associated with the Project.



Proposed Land Acquisition at Nasoga Gulf

Since 2013, the Nisg-a’a Nation

has been actively pursuing oppor-tunities for LNG development in the Nass Area. We identified four sites that had not previously been explored for LNG development:

+ Sgawban (on Nisg-a’a Lands)

+ Wil Milit (on Category A Fee Simple Lands)

+ Xmaat’in (on Category A Fee Simple Lands)

+ Nasoga Gulf (adjacent to Category B Fee Simple Lands)

The Nasoga Gulf site is located mainly on Crown Lands in the Nass Wildlife Area and the Nass Area. Nisg

-a’a Nation owns a Category B

fee simple property adjacent to the Nasoga Gulf site.


Marine Approach to the LNG Sites

Nisg-

a’a Nation Sites for a Floating or Land Based LNG Facility


nisG- a’a nation promotion of lnG developmentUnder our agreement with PRGT, concluded in October 2014, the Nisg

-a’a Nation acquired an option

to secure PRGT capacity for the use by an LNG developer who would locate an LNG facility at one of the four sites. That is, an assignee of the Nisg

-a’a Nation has the right to

take gas from the PRGT pipeline and process it through an LNG facility located on one of the four Nisg

-a’a Nation sites. The option

becomes enforceable only upon PRGT taking a final investment decision on their project. Since February 2014, the Nisg

-a’a Nation

has been very active in attempting to attract interest in negotiating an agreement to assign its option for capacity. No agreements for an assignment of the option for capacity which would lead to LNG development have been reached.

discussions With the province of british columbia to acquire land at nasoGa GulfIn late 2013, the Nisg

-a’a Nation

notified the province of its intention to file Crown Grant applications to ensure sufficient land would be available to potentially develop LNG facilities at the four sites. On February 4, 2014, map reserves covering all surveyed and unsurveyed Crown land were established for the four sites under s. 16 of the BC Land Act for the purpose of preserving the land for use in connection with potential industrial development. In September 2014, the province and the Nisg

-a’a Nation entered

into exclusive negotiations for the acquisition of lands at Nasoga Gulf to contribute to the Nisg

-a’a

Nation’s ability to support LNG projects, natural gas pipelines and associated infrastructure.

nisG- a’a nation proposed acquisition of land at nasoGa GulfIn November 2015, the province and the Nisg

-a’a Nation agreed in

principle on the land to be acquired by the Nisg

-a’a Nation and the

addition of the upland to Nisg

-a’a Lands.

The transaction includes:

+ Purchase of approximately 22,508 ha of Provincial Crown upland in fee simple (Nasoga Gulf Upland).

+ Long term lease of approxi-mately 668 ha of Provincial Crown foreshore.

+ Addition of Nasoga Gulf Upland to Nisg

-a’a Lands.

nisG- a’a nation proposed acquisition of land at nasoGa Gulf The commercial terms for the purchase and the lease were concluded in February 2016 and are backed by mandates from the NLG Executive and the Provincial Cabinet. On March 30, 2016 Wilp Si’ayuuk-hl Nisg

-a’a passed

resolutions directing that funds be made available to complete the purchase. The Nisg

-a’a Nation will

be paying fair market value for the land. The terms of the purchase and sale agreement and the long term lease are confidential and cannot be disclosed until all terms have been finalized and the transfer is complete.


Sgawban is located on Observatory Inlet about 5 kilometres north of Nass Point on Nisg

-a’a Lands

Xmaat’in (Dogfish Bay) is a Category “A fee simple property located on the east side of Portland Canal

Nasoga Gulf is a deep gulf located approxi-mately 9 km east of the Portland Canal

Wil Milit (Whiskey Bay) is a Category “A” fee simple property located on Portland Canal at the northern tip of Pearse Island



Map of Nasoga Gulf Foreshore (Aquatic Lands)

Map of Nasoga Gulf Upland


nisG- a’a nation proposed acquisition of land at nasoGa GulfThe Nisg

-a’a Treaty provides for

the addition of lands to Nisg-a’a

Lands pursuant to paragraph 11 of the Lands Chapter of the Nisg

-a’a

Treaty. Lands may be added to Nisg

-a’a Lands, provided that they

are owned by the Nisg-a’a Nation

in fee simple, are contiguous to Nisg

-a’a Lands, and that BC and

Canada agree to the addition of the lands to Nisg

-a’a Lands. The

Nisg-a’a Nation has received BC’s

agreement to add the Nasoga Gulf Upland to Nisg

-a’a Lands. BC and

the Nisg-a’a Nation are working

with federal representatives to gain Canada’s agreement to add the Nasoga Gulf Upland to Nisg

-a’a

Lands. It is hoped that Canada’s agreement will be forthcoming and that the Nasoga Gulf Upland will become Nisg

-a’a Lands immediate-

ly after the transfer is complete. Once these lands become Nisg

-a’a

Lands, the entirety of the Nisg-a’a

Treaty will apply to the Nasoga Gulf Upland, including concurrent application of federal, provincial and Nisg

-a’a law.

nisG- a’a nation proposed acquisition of land at nasoGa GulfThe parties are working toward finalizing the documents to com-plete the transfers and adding the upland to Nisg

-a’a Lands. The prov-

ince is undertaking consultation with the four First Nations whose asserted aboriginal rights may be affected by the transfer. Once those processes and documents are complete, the transfer will take place and the Nasoga Gulf Upland will be added to Nisg

-a’a Lands.

provincial consultation With first nationsThe province has commenced for-mal consultation on the proposed land acquisition and the addition of lands to Nisg

-a’a Lands. The province

is consulting with four First Nations who assert aboriginal rights in the vicinity of Nasoga Gulf (Kitselas First Nation, Kitsumkalum First Nation, Metlakatla First Nation and Lax Kw’alaams First Nation). We understand that the province has advised those First Nations of its strength of claim assessment in respect of the proposed transfer in those consultation letters. Re-sponse from these First Nations has been requested by April 30, 2016.

next steps for the proposed acquisitionThe Nisg

-a’a Nation has offered to

meet with the four First nations to assist the province with its consultation process. The Nisg

-a’a

Nation and the province are working diligently to complete the documentation required to complete acquisition of the upland in fee simple, the long term lease of the foreshore and the addition of the Lands to Nisg

-a’a Lands. We

expect the transactions to close in the coming weeks and the surveys required to transfer the land have been finalized and accepted by the Surveyor General for BC.

no project There is no project proposed for this location at this time. And we have not yet concluded an agreement to assign our option for capacity on the PRGT pipeline. It is, of course, possible that the area may eventu-ally be developed for LNG or other infrastructure development.

Conclusion

As can be seen, the majority of the report relates to the Nisg

-a’a

Nation Nass Area projects. I would like to thank our General Counsel for their assistance in the writing of the report on the Nass Area projects, in particular to ensure that confidential and sensitive information was not inadvertently included in the report but yet still remain an informative report to our public.

Other Directors, the Executive Director and In-house Legal Counsel will also be making reports in other areas that could not been covered in this report.

It is my hope that this report will assist you in providing you with the necessary information to help you with your thoughtful and constructive input to NLG. We look forward to hearing from you.

T’ooyak-siy’ n’ isim’ ii sa’aamhl wilsim’


Sim’oogit Akshl Hlyoon / Collier Azakchief executive officer



Greetings and welcome to the Nisg

-a’a Nation Special Assembly!

The Executive Director works with the Directors and Managers throughout NLG to achieve the priorities set in the respective areas. This report will highlight specific activities that were of focus for the Executive Director since the last Special Assembly.

Programs and Services

Work continued for the attainment of C6 delegation (full Child Protection) for Nisg

-a’a Child and

Family Services (NCFS). NCFS as an agency, received a letter on May 15, 2015 stating that NCFS has fulfilled all criteria for C6 under the Service Delivery Plan and has received the delegation as an agency. As a result, NCFS will be able to deliver service at the C6 level on Nisg

-a’a

Lands. Transition has continued as per the Transition Plan which includes the continued training of Social Workers and file readiness for transfer from MCFD.

Health

With the Director of Programs and Services, we worked with Nisg

-a’a

Valley Health Authority (NVHA) senior staff in the development, review and adoption of the National Health Plan. We continue

to consult with NVHA senior staff on the delivery of service under the National Health Plan through the Annual Plans implemented by NVHA.

On July 27, 2015, Wilp Si’ayuuk-hl Nisg

-a’a passed a unanimous

motion (the “WSN Motion”) requesting that Executive:

(1) investigate the administra-tive, legal, financial and other issues that may be involved in the establishment of a Nisg

-a’a

Public Institution in connec-tion with the delivery of health services within Nisg

-a’a Lands

and, to the extent the Executive considers it advisable, obtain the views of the Nisg

-a’a Valley

Health Authority in relation to the establishment of such a Nisg

-a’a Public Institution; and

(2) report to the House on the status of its investigation at the October 2015 sitting of the House.

The WSN Motion requires an investigation into the creation of a Nisg

-a’a Public Institution to

provide health services (the “NLG Health Institution”). A Nisg

-a’a

Public Institution is established under a Nisg

-a’a enactment.

Prior to drafting the legislation required to establish the NLG Health Institution, Nisg

-a’a Lisims

Government must consider and

determine the goals for and scope of services to be provided by the institution. It is recognized that there must be minimal to no interruption to the delivery of health services to Nisg

-a’a citizens

in undertaking this initiative.

Fish and Wildlife

NLG has been able to secure NNFC licences for an Inland Demonstra-tion Fishery from the fishwheels which allowed more of the salm-on allocation to be available for Nisg

-a’a fishers in the IS fisheries.

The number of licences available to be utilized by NLG varies annually based on the number of licences remaining after commercial fishers have secured their licences for the season.

Nisg-a’a Employment & Skills Training (NEST)

Negotiation to obtain an agree-ment with HRSDC to deliver the ASETS program was completed during the time since the last Special Assembly and NEST opened its doors in November 2013. NEST provides employment advisory services. The NEST mandate is to help Nisg

-a’a people

to continue to sustain, thrive and succeed in our rapidly developing economy and to help Nisg

-a’a

citizens in our service area find

office of the executive director

Luu-ts’ipgum G-aak- / Cheryl Stephensexecutive director


meaningful, demand driven employment. NEST has offices in Gitlax-t’aamiks, Terrace and Prince Rupert to serve the communities of Gitlax-t’aamiks, Gitwinksihlkw, Lax-g

-alts’ap, Ging

-olx, Terrace,

Kitimat, Prince Rupert and Port Edward.

Fibre Optics

As a benefit from the Northwest Transmission Line, the installation of fibre optics into Nisg

-a’a Lands to

improve internet communications has begun. Three of four Nisg

-a’a

communities (Gitlax-t’aamiks, Gitwinksihlkw, Lax-g

-alts’ap) have

access to fibre and work continues to bring the fourth (Ging

-olx) on

line as well to continue to improve service in each of the communities.

Quality of Life Strategy

The Quality of Life Strategy was conceived to improve the quality of life of our citizens beyond physical well-being, looking at all aspects of life (physical, social and spiritual). A framework has been developed to allow for measurement based on a collection of all existing data that will form a baseline. We plan to imple-

ment a survey for further collection of data that will inform the baseline. In order for us to change where we are going we must know where we are now. NLG is committed to working towards an alignment of our governance, administration and programs and services with a quality of life approach.

Nass Area Strategy

As part of the team, the Execu-tive Director reviews correspon-dence and attends meetings with prospective proponents looking to implement projects in the area. This strategy has linkages to the Quality of Life Strategy and NEST. The Executive Director has been involved in negotiations, as part of the NLG team, in the areas of Mining (Avanti Kitsault, Seabridge KSM, Pretium Brucejack), Hydro (WindRiver Kinskuch Lake) and LNG (TransCanada PRGT, Nisg

-a’a

Nation LNG, Spectra WCGT).

With the announcements of the Federal and Provincial Governments regarding Marine Safety and Spill response the Executive Director has been tasked with attending engagement sessions regarding these topics.

Conclusion

As part of the administrative team The Executive Director continues to work closely with the Director of Programs and Services, the Director of Human Resources, the Director of Fish and Wildlife and managers of NEST and Economic Development. As such, these members will report further on areas that are not included in this report.

It is hoped that this report has brought forward information to aid in your deliberation and constructive feedback to NLG, we look forward to hearing from you.

I would like to wish you all well and look forward to a productive week at this Special Assembly!


Luu-ts’ipgum G-aak- / Cheryl Stephens, B.Sc., MBAexecutive director

office of the executive officer


The In-House Legal group provides a range of legal services to Nisg

-a’a

Lisims Government. We are three members at present:

Stephanie Lysyk, In-House Legal Counsel and Law Clerk since July 2011

Myrle Morven, Legislative Assistant since March 2013 and Reporting Officer since November 2013.

Kristy White, Legal Assistant since October 2010.

In-House Legal Counsel / Law Clerk

As In-House Legal Counsel, I am responsible for advising Nisg

-a’a

Lisims Government Officers and senior management on legal matters. I also serve as the legal resource person to Executive and Wilp Si’ayuuk-hl Nisg

-a’a commit-

tees. Where appropriate and within my mandate, I also work with the administration and elected mem-bers of Nisg

-a’a Village Govern-

ments and Nisg-a’a Urban Locals to

clarify Nisg-a’a Nation laws and to

cooperate on shared projects and concerns. In-House Legal Counsel also works closely with General Counsel, Aldridge & Rosling, who have been advising the Nisg

-a’a Na-

tion for many years, and with other external counsel who provide spe-

cial legal advice to Nisg-a’a Lisims

Government on discrete subjects. It is my task to present the budget for the In-House Legal group, and to review legal invoices alongside the Legal Assistant.

As Law Clerk, I work with the CEO, Executive Director, and Manager, Executive Services to review the matters brought forward by the Officers or senior management at Nisg

-a’a Lisims Government and

to coordinate the agenda for the monthly Executive meetings. The Law Clerk reviews any materials giving rise to legal issues prior to Executive and drafts the wording of motions for Executive’s consid-eration during the meeting. I work with the Chairperson of Nisg

-a’a

Lisims Government to resolve any legal and procedural matters arising during Executive meet-ings. Together with the Manager, Executive Services, the Law Clerk ensures that resolutions of Exec-utive are accurately recorded and safely stored.

The Law Clerk also works with the Speaker, the CEO, and the Legis-lative Assistant to coordinate the sittings for Wilp Si’ayuuk-hl Nisg

-a’a.

I advise the Speaker and Nisg-a’a

representatives on legal and pro-cedural matters in the House, and I answer questions with respect to Nisg

-a’a laws or matters involving

the In-House Legal Counsel office during question period. Together

with the Legislative Assistant, I ensure that records of Wilp Si’ayuuk-hl Nisg

-a’a business and

resolutions are accurately kept.

Under the Nisg-

a’a Government Act, it is the responsibility of the Law Clerk to maintain the Nisg

-a’a

Registry of Laws, which I do along-side the Legislative Assistant. The Nisg

-a’a Registry of Laws is housed

in the Nisg-a’a Lisims Government

offices and the public may access any Nisg

-a’a enactment by contact-

ing the Legislative Assistant.

The most important or frequently used Nisg

-a’a acts and regulations

are accessible electronically on the Nisg

-a’a Lisims Government website.

We constantly update the statutes and regulations page with newly passed enactments and to ensure completion where older enactments have not previously been posted.

The Office of In-House Legal Counsel/Law Clerk reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer, and provides monthly briefings to the Executive.

Legislative Assistant / Reporting Officer

As Legislative Assistant, I work closely with In-House Legal Coun-sel/Law Clerk on most matters involving the governance and laws of Nisg

-a’a Lisims Government.

office of the iN-houSe legal couNSel / laW clerk

Stephanie Lysykin-house leGal counsel / laW clerK


Together with the Law Clerk, I maintain the database that houses the Nisg

-a’a Registry of Laws. The

Nisg-a’a Registry of Laws contains

each original enactment passed by Executive or Wilp Si’ayuuk-hl Nisg

-a’a since 2000. To date, the

Nisg-a’a Registry consists of more

than 223 enactments.

The Nisg-a’a Registry of Laws is

updated each time a new act is passed by Wilp Si’ayuuk-hl Nisg

-a’a

or a new regulation is passed by the Executive. The Legislative Assistant assists the Law Clerk by taking on the responsibility for sending the Notice of Enactment to the provincial and federal government and to all Nisg

-a’a

Village Governments and Nisg-a’a

Urban Local offices. Nisg-a’a Lisims

Government employees, other government entities and Nisg

-a’a

citizens contact me in order to obtain a copy of a given Nisg

-a’a

law or regulation.

The Legislative Assistant works with the Speaker, Law Clerk and others to ensure that the business of Wilp Si’ayuuk-hl Nisg

-a’a is carried

out smoothly. I issue the Notice of Wilp Si’ayuuk-hl Nisg

-a’a sittings on

behalf of the Speaker and prepare any materials for distribution in the House.

On November 18, 2013, the Chief Executive Officer of Nisg

-a’a

Lisims Government appointed me Reporting Officer under the Members’ Code of Conduct (the “Code”). As Reporting Officer, I respond to Nisg

-a’a citizens who

have questions concerning the Code or processes under the Code. I am responsible for reviewing complaints submitted under the

Code to ensure they meet the formal requirements with respect to dates and follow the prescribed form. The Reporting Officer also ensures that new members of Wilp Si’ayuuk-hl Nisg

-a’a are sworn

in, and file the required disclosure forms. My office also houses the disclosure and other forms related to Nisg

-a’a representatives.

As of March 2016 I have been tasked with the administration of the Wills & Estates project. I look forward to working with the public on this project.

I enjoy every aspect of my job and the many hats I wear proudly. I feel very blessed to work with a great team and a great organization.

Legal Assistant

As Legal Assistant, I am the point of first contact for most people requesting information from the In-House Legal Counsel office. I trained in 2007 at Sprott-Shaw community College to become a legal assistant and have been working in this position since October 18, 2010. I carry much of the corporate knowledge of the In-House Legal Counsel group, and maintain the files of the office. I work closely both with the In-House Legal Counsel/Law Clerk and with the Legislative Assis-tant/Reporting Officer. I also work directly with many of the director-ates at Nisg


to provide access to legal informa-tion and documents.

I assist the In-House Legal Counsel office by taking on responsibility for the processing of invoices for

professional legal services. I work with the administration of Gen-eral Counsel and external counsel to ensure we receive appropriate invoicing for legal services. I then work with In-House Legal Counsel, Finance and senior management to ensure we code and process invoices promptly.

As Legal Assistant, I maintain a records system for all Requests for Legal Services, and help ensure that such requests are answered in a timely fashion. I also main-tain records of most contracts and agreements entered into by Nisg

-a’a Lisims Government on

behalf of the Nisg-a’a Nation.

an important note concerninG personal leGal issuesThe Office of In-House Legal Counsel frequently receives calls from individuals requiring advice on personal legal matters. Unfor-tunately, the role of In-House Legal Counsel is limited to providing legal advice to government, and cannot assist individual Nisg

-a’a citizens

or Nisg-a’a Government employees

with personal legal matters.

There are some free, publicly available materials or services that may assist individuals with some frequently encountered legal issues. If you would like more information, please feel free to contact Legal Assistant Kristy White for further information.


Stephanie Lysykin-house leGal counsel / laW clerK

office of the iN-houSe legal couNSel / laW clerk


Amaa-sa as n’ isim’ from the Programs & Services staff and Committees

It is with great honour the Programs and Services Directorate staff present this 2016 Special Assembly report to the Nisg

-a’a

citizens. We are pleased to provide the success stories and areas of growth achieved in the past two years in collaboration with our agency partners, Nisg

-a’a entities,

Village Governments and Nisg-a’a

citizens. We continue to focus on developing and implementing strategies to work more effectively, efficiently and, most importantly, as a team, both internally and externally. We are sure you will enjoy reading about the various capacity building opportunities, along with the ongoing policy developments and amendments, and the program successes and developments that our teams diligently work on throughout the year.

The Programs and Services Directorate’s responsibility is the implementation and functional control over the delivery of public programs and services. The programs and services departments include: Nisg

-a’a

Citizenship, Ayuuk-hl Nisg-a’a

(Language and Culture), Access to Justice, Social Development (Social Services), Youth Organizing Youth, the Terrace NLG office and

Nisg-a’a Child and Family Services;

in addition service agreements to K-12 education, (School District 92), post-secondary institute, (Wilp Wilx-o’oskwhl Nisg

-a’a Institute)

and the health service delivery agreement with Nisg

-a’a Valley

Health Authority. The Directorate also has a role in the Nisg

-a’a

Emergency Management, with the responsibility of organizing the logistics during emergency incidences.

The Directorate works with two standing committees, the Programs & Services Committee and the Public Order, Peace and Safety (POPS) committee; as well as draws upon the appropriate resources from staff and Nisg

-a’a

entities. We sincerely appreciate the historical and legislative knowledge, level of dedication, experience and pro-active perspectives that each of the standing committee members contributes to the Directorate.

Programs & Services Committee

electedCliff Morgan, Chair Wallace Clark, Lax-g

-alts’ap

Brian Tait, Gitlax-t’aamiksBruce Haldane, GitwinksihlkwClaude Barton, Ging

-olx

Martin Adams, TerraceHenry Moore, NLG Representative

nlG officersCorinne McKay, Secretary-TreasurerShirley Morven, Chairperson Council of Elders

resourceDirector, Deputy Director and Managers — P&S Directorate Stephanie Lysyk, IHLC

POPS Committee

electedRon Nyce, ChairCraig McKay, Lax-g

-alts’ap

Racheal Stanley, Ging-olx

Edna Nyce, Nisg-a’a Ts’amiks

Vancouver SocietyTina Bolton, GitwinksihlkwDenise Eli, Gitlax-t’aamiks

nlG officersShirley Morven, Chairperson Council of Elders

resourceAccess to Justice, Director and Deputy Director, P&S Directorate Stephanie Lysyk, IHLC

Sgt. Shawn McLaughlin, Interim Commander — Lisims Nass Valley RCMP

directorate of programS & ServiceS

Denise Verreaultdirector



Access To Justice Department

visionInvolve every Nisg

-a’a citizen

in promoting the safety of our communities by building on the strengths of individuals, families and communities.

missionReflect and empower Nisg

-a’a

Ayuuk- (Nisg-a’a law) in all aspects

of our livelihood including the justice system.

GoalTo empower the Nisg

-a’a house

system (huwilp) to be involved in resolution of issues a house may be facing whether it is with the Canadian Justice System, family, community or school; with the ultimate goal of having long houses in each community where each house will return to resolve conflict, celebrate successes and a place for ceremonies.

proGram descriptionThe Access to Justice Department manages the programs under the administration of Nisg

-a’a Lisims

Government. The Access to Justice Department receives funding through contribution agreements from: the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General (Corrections Branch); Attorney General and Minister of Justice (the Province); Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada; and the Ministry of Children and Family Development. The Department provides justice related services to the communities of: Ging

-olx,

Lax-g-alts’ap, Gitwinksihlkw and

Gitlax-t’aamiks.

The Aboriginal Justice Program assists in the monitoring of adults on supervision orders with BC’s Correction Branch, liaises between Nisg

-a’a communities

and the Canadian justice system, encourages the revival of traditional Nisg

-a’a ways of

resolving conflict, and ensures Nisg

-a’a communities have access

to relevant legal information and services.

The Lisims Nass Valley RCMP Victim Services Program provides emotional support to victims of crime during their recovery and involvement with the justice process, information about the justice system, and liaison with Crown Counsel to assist with court orientation.

The Yuuhlimk-’askw Program

(Restorative Justice) provides culturally appropriate alternative justice solutions. Yuuhlimk-

’ askw (a Nisg

-a’a way of counseling, guid-

ing, cautioning, and supporting community members), is a proac-tive approach which involves the community exploring the underly-ing causes of problem behavior.

The Youth Justice Program is to develop a working partnership with all Nass Valley community resourc-es to collectively strengthen the capacity for Nisg

-a’a communities

to effectively respond to youth justice issues/needs.

client confidentialityAll information a client gives to the Access to Justice Department staff is kept confidential and will not disclose any client information to a third party unless that disclosure is authorized by the client.

accomplishments

violeNce agaiNSt WomeN iN relatioNShipS (vaWir)Currently there are over 50 VAWIR committees formed in BC. We are fortunate to have the assistance of Morgen Baldwin (the regional coordinator from Ending Violence Association of BC) who has attend-ed all Nisg

-a’a VAWIR meetings.

This committee is comprised of key agencies in the Nass Valley that respond to domestic violence and sexual assault. This collaborative has been formed with the intention of increasing safety and wellness in the communities through collec-tive planning and support to one another in our various determina-tions to promote safe and peaceful living. While many programs exist to address violence we recognize that specialized programs and services are required to address the unique needs of the Nisg

-a’a Nation.

These services must support the vision whereby Nass Valley citizens and families are empowered and supported to live healthy, safe and vibrant lives free from violence. Ayuuk-hl Nisg

-a’a Department is par-

ticipating with development of the VAWIR Committee and is providing cultural and language support for example the committee is changing the committee name from VAWIR to a Nisg

-a’a name.

On this committee are represen-tatives from: Nisg

-a’a Valley Health

Authority mental health depart-ment, Village Government Social Development, School District 92 (Nisg

-a’a) administrators/educators,

Nisg-a’a Child and Family, Lisims

Nass Valley RCMP, Youth Organiz-ing Youth, Lisims Early Learning Program, Nisg

-a’a Employment,


Skills and Training, and the Access to Justice Department.

iNtegrated caSe aSSeSSmeNt team (icat)The Nisg

-a’a Integrated Case Assess-

ment Team (ICAT) has been formed for the Nass Valley. Members of the Nisg

-a’a ICAT are: Cst. Nathan Dame

(RCMP), Millie Percival (Victim Services), member(s) from Nisg

-a’a

Child and Family Services, a mem-ber from the Nisg

-a’a Valley Health

Authority Mental Health Depart-ment and when required a member from the Village Government Social Development. High Risk Domestic Violence cases are referred to the ICAT where the risk level is assessed and a safety plan is developed. If any systemic issues are identified through the ICAT, they are passed on to the VAWIR committee to be reviewed.

Sexual exploitatioN projectThis project was funded by a grant from the Canadian Women’s Foundation (25,000) and the Civil Forfeiture (25,000). The objective of this project is to bring awareness to frontline workers and youth on what

“sexual exploitation” is and create safety initiatives for Nass Valley citizens. This initiative funded the Community Wellness Conference and focus group presentations.

Safer NiSg- a’a familieS projectThis project was funded by a $30,000 grant from the Aboriginal Justice Strategy Capacity building grant. The objective was to meet with the VAWIR committee, Crown Counsel, Probation Officer and RCMP to develop a draft of the Nisg

-a’a Domestic Violence protocol

that will increase safety of families experiencing domestic violence.

future plaNNiNgCommunity consultation regarding:

+ Domestic/Sexual Assault protocol

+ Sexual Exploitation + Nisg

-a’a name for VAWIR

committee

The Access to Justice Department reports to the Nisg

-a’a Lisims Gov-

ernment Public Order, Peace and Safety Committee.

access to justice department staffFaith Tait Justice Department Manager Restorative Justice Phone: 250 633 3070 Located in the Nisg

-a’a Lisims

Government office

Millie Percival Victim Services Coordinator Phone: 250 633 3012 Located in the Nisg

-a’a Lisims

Government office

Marietta McKay Youth Justice Phone: 250 633 3062 Located in the Lax-g

-alts’ap

Village Government office

Ayuuk-hl Nisg-a’a Department

The work of Ayuuk-hl Nisg-a’a

Department (AND) provides for the Nation’s Vision in respect of culture and language.

In the spirit of Sayt-K’il’im-G-oot, the Nisg

-a’a Nation is a place where:

+ Our Ayuuk-, language, and culture are the foundation of our identity

The mandate of AND is to provide for the processes that preserve, pro-tect and promote Nisg

-a’a language

and culture stated in the provisions of Chapter 11, sections 41, 42 and 43 of the Nisg

-a’a Treaty.

41. Nisg-a’a Lisims Government

may make laws to preserve, promote, and develop Nisg

-a’a

culture and Nisg-a’a language,

including laws to authorize or accredit the use, reproduction, and representation of Nisg

-a’a

cultural symbols and practices, and the teaching of Nisg

-a’a

language.

42. Except as provided for by federal or provincial law, Nisg


jurisdiction under paragraph 41 to make laws in respect of Nisg

-a’a culture and Nisg

-a’a

language does not include jurisdiction to make laws in respect of intellectual property, the official languages of Canada or the prohibition of activities outside of Nisg

-a’a Lands.

43. In the event of an inconsisten-cy or conflict between Nisg

-a’a

law under paragraph 41 and a federal or provincial law, the Nisg

-a’a law prevails to the

extent of the inconsistency or conflict. (Nisg

-a’a Final Agree-

ment, 1998)

We continue to move forward with the Executive, Wilp Si’ayuuk-hl Nisg

-a’a (WSN) and NLG Adminis-

tration, in developing the policies, legislation, resources and projects to provide for the mandate. The provisions require knowledge, skill sets and applications that adapt




with the advancement, progress and changes in the work of preser-vation, protection and promotion of heritage, language and culture.

Interim Access to Information Policy has been developed to protect, preserve and promote the use of the Land Ownership and Occupancy Study (LOOS 1980s) archive. The Interim Access to Information Policy provides for the application process for researchers to access information in the archive.

national trademarKs and symbols policyNisg

-a’a Lisims Government has

developed interim guidelines for the appropriate use of Nisg

-a’a

trademarks for those who wish to show their connection to being Nisg

-a’a through a business, society

or organization.

The Nisg-a’a trademarks were cre-

ated to protect the appropriate use of the trademarks and ensures that people are not misled if a product or service is from the Nisg

-a’a Nation.

Authorization to use Nisg-a’a trade-

marks is processed by the Ad hoc Committee through an application process. The authorization honours the Nisg

-a’a Nation by upholding the

values and traditions as stated in the Nisg

-a’a Constitution.

access to information policyThe Access to Information Policy provides for the protection and preservation of the Land Ownership and Occupancy Study. (c. 1980s). The Access to Information policy identifies the application process for access and support in interpretation,

research assistance and analysis of research requests of Nisg

-a’a

cultural practices and protocols. Language translation is provided through interpretation, translation and vetting for authentication and authorization.

All applications can be requested through the Ayuuk-hl Nisg

-a’a Ad-

ministrative Assistant or from the website www.nisgaanation.ca.

documentinG nisG- a’a cultureThe protocols, practices and interpre-tation of our way of life continues to be documented though the use of the information in the archives, interviewing of Elders and meetings with the Council of Elders (CoE).

lanGuaGe and cultureTo ensure that we, the nation, deliver programs and services that reflect and respect Nisg

-a’a

language and culture, the Ayuuk-hl Nisg

-a’a staff provide continued

support, on request, to agencies, institutes, external partners and other departments. The support involves communication, gathering of information and providing feedback to ensure authenticity, accuracy and authorization of Nisg

-a’a information and our

Nisg-a’a voice. A good example is

the recent interpretation services we provided for the NLG staff signage in the main NLG building, which was a very successful project. When you come to visit us you will see staff titles in Nisg

-a’a.

We continue supporting research initiatives for Nisg

-a’a Museum

exhibits, such as the Norman Tait Exhibit The Living River, Nisg

-a’a

Treaty and Frank Calder, as well as

the sharing of digitized audio and Nisg

-a’a language translation pro-

cess. This process allows for staff to understand the detailed inter-pretation of the English language, translations and finally the vetting process that ensures the appropri-ate use of our language and avoids loss in the translation.

We also provided interpretation services for the recent October 2015 Federal election to Elections Canada for Nisg

-a’a elections information

and posters. Other projects include support to BC Parks with the Inter-pretive Centre, Auto Tour, Brochures and Children’s Art Projects, and support to anthropological and environmental processes with researchers, acknowledging Nisg

-a’a

identification and use of traditional sites and Nisg

-a’a cultural interest.

Lastly, we have supported Bachelors and Master Degree students with their research papers or thesis.

youth and elder WorKshopsThe Nisg

-a’a Youth and Elder work-

shops occur annually at the NESS Unity Day. The workshops provided an opportunity for the Council of Elders to pass on knowledge to the youth. We work collaboratively with the CoE, Nisg

-a’a Youth Advisory

Council (NYAC) & Youth Organizing Youth (YOY) Coordinator, NVHA staff, SD 92 Nisg

-a’a staff and NLG staff

to ensure the event is successful.

We also support the YOY Coor-dinator with the planning of a Cultural Camp during the Nisg

-a’a

Youth Lisims Rafting Expedition. Elders provide encouragement and prayers for a safe journey as well as passing on knowledge about Nisg

-a’a and K-’alii-Aksim Lisims

during the evening camps.


future Goals and objectives + To provide for a strategic plan

for language and culture revitalization.

+ To provide for data manage-ment of language and culture.

+ To provide for legislation to protect and preserve Nisg

-a’a

language and culture.

ayuuK- hl nisG- a’a department staffBev Azak, Acting ManagerMaxine Azak, Administrative AssistantNita Morven, Cultural Research AnalystVacant, Language Coordinator


Enrolment & Eligibility

enrolment committee membersVerna Williams — G-anadaAlternate Member — VacantVacant — Lax-gibuuAlternate Member — Rosie RobinsonMercy Moore — Lax-sgiikAlternate Member — Lavinia ClaytonWilma Moore — Gisk-’aastAlternate Member — Vacant



proGram hiGhliGhtsA New Citizenship Application was released in October 2014. The four page application is available for new applicants. A copy of the long-form birth certificate is required for all new applications. The form is available at www.nisgaanation.ca.

The development of the Nisg-a’a

Lineage Chart Database with FileMaker Pro 14 software was accomplished under the guidance and direction of the Enrolment Committee in December 2014 is now completed.

This project offers a wide variety of benefits:

+ ensures the lineage of appli-cants meets Nisg

-a’a eligibility

requirements

+ powerful searching capabili-ties to meet the needs of the people

+ potential growth to meet the future needs (adding photos and historical information)

Nisg-a’a Lineage Presentation

is presented by the Enrolment committee to assist in encouraging Nisg

-a’a citizens to complete family

trees. The main messages of the presentation are:

+ Nisg-a’a identity, the importance

of being Nisg-a’a and cultural

involvement + The importance of knowing your

family legacy, lineage & pdeek- + Involving the family and the

importance of the senior members of the family

+ Designed to be delivered to Nisg

-a’a Youth: Family history

is an exciting, challenging and rewarding undertaking that can lead to the discovery of interesting facts and respect for our ancestors. No matter how humble our origins, each of us has a family history that is fascinating.

Address updates: all citizens are encouraged to provide current addresses and name changes contact Enrolment and Eligibility. Parents are strongly encouraged to apply for Nisg

-a’a citizenship

as soon as possible after the baby is born.


Nisg-a’a Child & Family Services (NCFS)

orGanization informationNisg

-a’a Child and Family

Services (NCFS) provides child safety and support services in Gitlax-t’aamiks, Gitwinksihlkw, Lax-g

-alts’ap and Ging

-olx, Terrace

and Prince Rupert. Nisg-a’a Child

and Family Services also has a satellite office in Lax-g

-alts’ap.

NCFS strengthens families to ensure the protection and well-being of Nisg

-a’a children in the

least intrusive way possible, consistent with both the Ayuuk-hl Nisg

-a’a and British Columbia

statutes and polices.

Nisg-a’a Child and Family Services

in the Nass Valley has received Delegated C6 status from the Provincial Aboriginal Policy and Service Support division of the Ministry of Children and Family Development. A transition phase is now in operation as work that has been carried out by the Ministry of Children and Family Development moves to the Nisg

-a’a

Child and Family Services office in Gitlax-t’aamiks.

The Delegated work of Child Safety (C6) for Nisg

-a’a families is currently

being structured. There are four staff working in the child safety field with three being mentored by Director of Practice Agnes Taylor in conjunction with Aboriginal Services in Victoria and Ministry of Children and Family in Terrace. Once the mentoring is done and the workers have achieved full C6 delegation the child safety work can move to the Nass Valley.

The Gitlax-t’aamiks office has a Resource/Guardianship worker that works on recruiting and com-pleting home studies on potential foster homes and respite homes, and supports foster homes already in existence. The staff also works with child and youth that are in the permanent care of NCFS as their guardian and makes decisions around their ongoing care.

The Terrace and Prince Rupert office of Nisg

-a’a Child and Family

Services provides support to urban Nisg

-a’a clients in collaboration with

the Ministry of Children and Family Development. However, services are expanding with the move by the agency to full authority to handle child safety concerns for Nisg

-a’a members in the Nass

Valley. Services provided by the Terrace NCFS office works to reduce the risk to children and potentially avoid a child safety investigation on a Nisg

-a’a child

that might be in need of protection through the ability to offer support to families before they go into crises and a protection call is received that needs to be assessed.

The organizational structure is such that for any employment, appointment or execution of a contract, all NCFS staff, contractors hired by NCFS, NCFS volunteers, NLG’s Director of Programs and Services, and any other person who has access to confidential informa-tion shall swear or affirm in writing an oath of confidentially with respect to any records or information obtained or created in the course of providing services to clients.

The larger Terrace office space is equipped with audio equipment so that families living in Vancouver can attend by video conferencing, or social workers working with Vancouver Urban Nisg

-a’a clients

can have face to face interaction via video conference making the experience client focused and interactive. This space has also provided our Family Group Confer-ence Co-coordinator a ready accessible room to hold family meetings to discuss reunification or to discuss issues of child safety that might bring a child(ren) in care if not addressed.

proGram updates

reSource aNd guardiaNShip teamFoster parent recruitment is going very well, our resource team has been actively recruiting foster homes throughout this year. New foster homes are being opened and recruitment is ongoing, our resource social workers are constantly looking for potential foster parents for Nisg

-a’a children. Our resource team

has been working very hard with their recruitment campaign.

Permanency planning is one of the main focus areas for NCFS off Nisg

-a’a Lands and on Nisg

-a’a

Lands. All attempts are made to get children back with their families as soon as they enter care, this is done by asking family who are grandparents, great grandparents, aunties, uncles and extended family if they can be a foster home for their family member and or looking for a Nisg

-a’a foster home.




Our Family Group Co-coordinator (FGC) alongside the NCFS Guard-ianship team works closely with MCFD to help find family that may be potential caregivers for children removed from their parents. We do this by providing a family the names of potential relatives who might be able to become a foster parent for their family member, or family who are willing to enter into out of care options where NCFS Resource team would do the home studies on Nisg

-a’a Lands and off

Nisg-a’a Lands. When a family care-

giver is not an option we work with non-Nisg

-a’a foster parents to ed-

ucate them on the Nisg-a’a culture

and strongly encourage them to participate with their foster child in their house feasts, cultural events and Nisg

-a’a cultural events such as

Hoobiyee and other community events like annual community cultural gatherings.

When files are transferred from MCFD planning takes place to look for family cultural mentors from their respective house/tribe that can help keep the child/children stay culturally connected to their house/tribe/community. NCFS guardianship Social Workers work very hard to keep Nisg

-a’a children

in care culturally connected to their house/tribe and community and to ensure that they attend their house gatherings, feasts and cultural events. NCFS life books are worked on to help preserve the cultural identity of Nisg

-a’a children

in foster care.

The guardianship social workers are the guardian of the child for the files that NCFS holds. The guardianship social workers do a very good job in looking after the

needs of children on their case load and have incorporated into their practice the recognition by NCFS that culture is a Nisg

-a’a child’s

inherent foundation to life, which will impact their understanding of their traditional language, spirituality and rich heritage. The cultural plan for Nisg

-a’a children

in care provides a guide for those involved in planning for the child and represents a commitment to ensure that each Nisg

-a’a child in

the care of the NCFS is connected to his or her culture.

Cultural plans are one part of an overall effort to mitigate the devastating effects of lost identity and isolation experienced by Nisg

-a’a children raised outside

their community and culture. Respectfully developed and implemented cultural plans will assist children in the care of NCFS to develop a positive self-image, a healthy self-esteem, and a strong cultural, linguistic and spiritual identity. For youth unable to return home the Transition planning starts when the youth is 14-19 yrs. old to prepare them to age out of foster care. Plans to have the youth reunited with family before they age out of foster care is one of the main goals we strive for. The hope is that when the youth ages out of foster care he or she is surrounded with family that they turn to for support and guidance and that they are not alone when they age out of care. Supports are put in place and life skills mentoring starts when youth turn 14.

Currently NCFS carries a caseload of 35 children in care either through a court order or in out

of care options where NCFS financially supports caregivers for a short period of time so that parents can address their struggles and eventually resume care of their children.

NiSg- a’a iNfaNt developmeNt (Nidp)Jacqueline Gosnell, (Co-coordinator), works in the four Nisg

-a’a villages,

Gitlax-t’aamiks, Gitwinksihlkw, Lax-g

-alts’ap, and Ging

-olx. Her

primary focus is supporting families in understanding and meeting the needs of infant and toddlers who have developmental delays or disabilities. Referrals are accepted from parents, Head Start, nursery school or any medical practitioners. The eligibility criteria for NIDP are infants 0 to 3 years:

+ Established risk — diagnosed medical disorder.

+ Biological risk — infants that have a history of prenatal, peri-natal, neonatal, and/or early developmental events that may affect their central nervous system and result in develop-mental difficulties.

+ Psychosocial risk — infants who have a statistically increased probability of development issues because of individual susceptibilities aggravated by environments in which there may be inadequate response to the infants physical development and/or social emotional needs.

NIDP offers Baby Massage, Parent Child Mother Goose, Baby Food Making, Nobody’s Perfect, Mom’s Pop’s & Tot’s, Swimming program, Elder Involvement and one on one caseloads on a weekly and monthly basis.


NiSg- a’a Supported child developmeNt (NScd)Cheryl Tait and Shirley Ducharme (Consultants/workers). Work in Gitlax-t’aamiks, Gitwinksihlkw, Lax-g

-alts’ap, and Ging

-olx. Their

primary focus is through Nisg-a’a

cultural values and traditions, NSCD support families and child-care setting with the development and inclusion of children who have physical, emotional, mental, social development developmental delays or disabilities. NSCD assist families and child care providers in planning for individual and/or groups of children to ensure their inclusion in day-to-day activities. NSCD activities include home visits, after-school activities, and cultural field trips such as food preserva-tion. Referrals are accepted from parents, Head Start, Nursery, kindergarten, Schools and/or any medical practitioners.

family SkillS WorkerS (fSW)Susan Guno, Mary Temple and Wesley King all work in the four Nisg

-a’a Communities. Referrals

come directly from Nisg-a’a Child

and Family Social Workers. Most activities are home visits, one to one parenting programs and support parent child groups. As well as girl’s wellness groups the focus is to help these girls make healthy choices for their lives. Susan and Mary both have families that they work with. Wesley has recently joined the team and once he is orientated he will focus on developing boys group and manage a caseload.

Social Development

General principle of the Social Development Program:

“Individuals and families are responsible for managing their own affairs and maintaining themselves to the extent that their resources permit. The Social Development program provides financial support to eligible adults and their dependents that are unable to meet their basic needs.”

proGram visionThe Nisg

-a’a Social Development

program is committed to devel-oping and delivering programs and services that strive towards building healthy and economically prosperous communities, where children, youth and adults have hope and opportunities and where a safety net, to those most in need, is in place to ensure a sound qual-ity of life for all who reside in the Nisg

-a’a Villages. This vision

will be achieved by:

+ Providing equitable access to all programs and services that is consistent throughout all four Nisg

-a’a Villages

+ Creating a path for indepen-dence through employment and opportunity to enhance skills

+ Respecting the basic needs of safety and shelter

Collaboration between Nisg-a’a

Lisims Government and the Village Governments expanded when the Social Development Working Group was established in 2013. The Social Development Working Group members are made up of the four Village Government’s

Social Development Administra-tors and/or Director of Programs & Services. The Social Development Working group members provided input into the social development policy and policy amendments. In addition, the objectives of the Social Development Working Group are to identify approaches to meet the needs of clients who most require support while ensuring that dependency is addressed in a way that empowers and supports clients to be self-sufficient. Taking into consideration that many cli-ents require additional support to be self-sufficient, there were many discussions on how to ensure that clients who have physical or men-tal health challenges are appropri-ately assessed so that they receive adequate supports. Secondary to this are discussions on ways in which policy can reduce the depen-dency on Social Programs.

proGram administration + The Nisg

-a’a Social Development

program provides financial social benefits and services to individuals and families, resi-dent on Nisg

-a’a Lands, who are

in need. Need is determined by the application of an assess-ment means test, and other ap-plicable eligibility requirements.

policy development On March 25th 2015 the Programs and Services Directorate presented a revised Nisg

-a’a Social Develop-

ment Policy to the Executive. This policy is now being amended to include a procedures manual as well as the development of forms. The 2010 Provincial rates table will continue to be used until Provincial rates are revised or there is direc-tion from the Executive to amend




the table. It should be noted the Policy versions are based upon the Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) policy formatting and content.

policy Goals + Provide financial support to

citizens who, according to policy, qualify for Social Assistance.

+ Prevent dependency by promoting self-reliance and self-sufficiency.

+ Increase skills and education for all persons on Nisg

-a’a Lands.

+ Promote Individual responsibility.

+ Provide consistent, efficient and effective administration of management practices and systems.

Terrace NLG office Programs & Services

elected membersKeith Azak Martin Adams

The Terrace NLG office provides quality and relevant services that are based on the needs of the Nisg

-a’a citizens living in Terrace

and affiliate area. We continue to provide a gathering place for Nisg

-a’a Language & Culture classes,

holiday socials, graduation dinners, Elders Tea or crafts for children, Terrace Nisg

-a’a Elders & the

Gitlax-dax- Dance Group. Nisg-a’a

citizens have access to our Busi-ness Service Centre with four Computer Labs to conduct job searches, resumes or cover letters. Families have access to bus passes, applications for Christmas Food Hamper and education gifts, post-secondary bursaries and

a bus charter to attend Hoobiyee and Special Assembly.

The Terrace NLG office also provides for:

+ Annual Education Gift Distribution Grades K-12

+ Access to Recreation Programs + Winter/Coat & Boot Allowance

ages newborn-18 + Community Christmas

Programming + Graduation Dinner Celebration

in June + Monthly Elders Tea & Bannock:

Drop-In Social + Family Movie Nights —

Bimonthly/Crafts — Families + Annual Community

Barbeque — August + Monthly Meeting place — Elders

and Gitlax-dax- Dance Group + Nisg

-a’a Language & Culture

Classes + Summer Reading Program —

in collaboration with SD 92 + Accessing annual Oolichan

& Salmon Harvest + Drum Making + Cedar Harvesting & Weaving + Access to various sporting

activities for citizens + Provisions to access recreation

through reimbursements for Terrace district Nisg

-a’a citizens

staffBonita Young-Mercer, ManagerRose Mowatt, Outreach WorkersBrigitte Watts, Outreach WorkersBrenna Doolan, Youth Recreation LeaderMichelle McNiel, Programs AssistantFranklin McDonald, JanitorialRoxanne McMillan, Janitorial (On leave)

Nisg-a’a Youth Advisory Council

youth council 2016

Gitlax- t’aamiKs youth councilMegan MunroeHannah RobinsonAiden ClaytonJonah MorvenIsaiah GunoSamuel DyerEmma Robinson

GitWinKsihlKW youth councilDrae AzakChristopher WilliamsEthan MoorePeyton Azak-MorvenMary AngusLawrence Adams Jr.

lax- G-alts’ap youth councilVacant

GinG-olx youth councilVacant

terrace youth councilVacant

prince rupert / prince edWard youth councilSabrina Clifton

ts’amiKs vancouver youth councilReanne PercivalShirley DucharmeRobert ClaytonStephanie JohnsonCarla Nisyok


youth orGanizinG youth Nisg

-a’a people have from time

immemorial have taken youth and trained them to become leaders within their respective Wlip. It is only appropriate that Nisg

-a’a

Lisims Government, Village Governments, and Nisg

-a’a Urban

Locals embark on this path to engage our leaders of tomorrow.

Nisg-a’a Lisims Government

recognizes that youth leadership greatly contributes to the sustain-ability and perpetuation of Nisg

-a’a

leadership and governance. In our efforts to prepare our nation for the myriad of opportunities coming into fruition, we are investing in youth leadership and developing new opportunities for our emerg-ing Nisg

-a’a leaders to contribute to

the economic growth and prosperi-ty of our nation.

With the implementation of the Nisg

-a’a Youth Advisory Council

(NYAC) and the local Youth Coun-cils, young Nisg

-a’a citizens are pro-

vided with the opportunity to be advocates on behalf of their peers and to share the concerns of the youth with their elected Nisg

-a’a

representatives. The Nisg-a’a Youth

Advisory Council serves as a com-mittee under the Programs and Services Committee and works to establish a stronger youth pres-ence at the government level.

With the supplement of a Youth Organizing Youth Coordinator, the YOY department’s mission is to build a strong network of youth leaders by offering programs and services that will enhance the ca-pacity of our youth. Our programs offered will combine skill and lead-ership development and cultural

capacity building, emphasizing that learning and personal growth go hand-in-hand with cultural knowl-edge. The Youth Organizing Youth Coordinator acts as a resource and support to the Nisg

-a’a Youth Advi-

sory Council and is the first point of contact for youth initiatives within the Valley.

liSimS river raftiNg expeditioN The Lisims River Rafting Expedition occurred in 2014 and 2015. The 2014 rafting expedition was a co-ed initiative and the 2015 held both a Young Men’s and Young Women’s Rafting Expedition. The 2015 Young Men’s Rafting Expedition occurred on August 24 to 26. Four young men participated and enjoyed the rafting and the Nisg

-a’a culture and

language mentoring provided by Dr. Joseph Gosnell in the evenings. The 2015 Young Women’s Rafting Expedition occurred on August 31 to September 2. Four young women participated; two were returning participants from 2014. The young women’s rafting was during a cold spell, but they stayed strong and completed the rainy and cold journey. They also enjoyed Nisg

-a’a

culture and language mentoring by Elder Mercy Moore.

The participants were also provided fisheries awareness by Fisheries & Wildlife staff Destinee Clayton, watershed awareness by Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition, and leadership and governance and sexual exploitation and self-aware-ness by Victim Services, Millie Percival, Ending Violence Associ-ation, Morgan Baldwin, and the other NLG staff.

Education

Embracing Education In The Spirit of Sayt-K’il’im-G- oot; Nisg-a’a Nation Education Conference 2015

On May 20-22, 2015 the Nisg-a’a

Nation Education Conference (NNEC): Embracing Education in the Spirit of Sayt-K’il’im-G- oot: Working Together To Help You Reach Your Education Dreams and Goals took place in Gitlax-t’aamiks, BC at the Gitlax-t’aamiks Recre-ation Center. NNEC was highly involved in supporting education in the Nass Valley to develop and implement this conference. This conference was in coalition with Nisg

-a’a Lisims Government (NLG)

and Gitlax-t’aamiks Village Govern-ment (GVG). The conference report contains general information about the conference itself as well as details about the attendees, participant evaluation results, and lessons learned to guide future planning. The full confer-ence report can be provided upon request to the Programs & Services Directorate.

purpose + Work on the vision of

Charting our own Path Forward in Embracing Education

+ Provide information, obtain output, share best practices, strategy development

+ Focus on elements of the Lifelong Learning Continuum

+ Continual Teachings of Nisg-a’a

Language and Culture elements




Conference attendees received a single evaluation that included demographic questions, questions about the conference, comments and additional comments. The conference received high overall ratings. Nearly all participants (99 percent) rated it as “well organized” and 98 percent described their level of overall satisfaction as Satisfied or Very Satisfied. Participants rated the quality of overall conference, materials, and instruction at an average of 4.70, 4.54 and 4.60 respectively on a 5-point scale. Attendees reported that they received information that was applicable to their children’s education and will result in effective outcomes.

school district 92 activities

+ School District 92 reached a milestone of their 40th Anniversary January 2015. Celebrations are underway for Spring and into September 2016.

+ School District 92 has created the Sayt-K’il’im-G-oot Learning Circle advisory group with the mandate of:– Honor the educational suc-

cesses and gifts of all learners;

– Advise the Board of Education on development

of culturally inclusive practices for school districts;

– Advise the Board of Education on development of program-ming to improve retention of and academic success for Nisg

-a’a young people.

+ Denise Verreault is the NLG Representative sitting on the Sayt-K’il’im-G-oot Learning Circle advisory group.

school district 92 nisG- a’a standard of education The current SD 92 Nisg

-a’a Standard

of Education is guided by a series of policy and legislation, includ-ing the School Act and English Language Arts K-7 Integrated Resource Package. As of November 1, 2015, SD 92 is moving towards BC Performance Standards and as a nation, SD 92 Nisg

-a’a will build

our Education Standards together beyond what is in place.

movinG toWards the bc performance standardsThe BC Performance Standards have been developed for voluntary use in BC schools. They describe the professional judgments of a signifi-cant number of BC educators about standards and expectations for the following key areas of learning:

+ Reading & Writing + Numeracy + Social Responsibility

+ Information and Communications Technology Integration

+ Healthy Living + Ordering Information

The standards focus exclusively on performance assessment. In performance assessment students are asked to apply the skills and concepts they have learned to complete complex, realistic tasks. This type of assessment supports a criterion-referenced approach to evaluation and enables teachers, students, and parents to compare student performance to provincial standards. Nationwide “Education School Performance Framework” have three main components: Academic Growth, Academic Proficiency & Enrollment Rates.

Wellahead (child and youth mental health) project update — sd 92WellAhead is a five-year national initiative aimed at improving child and youth mental health. In year one, we are supporting six school districts across British Columbia, including SD 92. WellAhead’s aim is to support the integration of social and emotional wellbeing into school communities by focusing on efforts that impact all stu-dents. Using a social innovation lab-inspired approach the initiative connects grassroots action with systems change. The WellAhead


project wrapped up its community meetings in January. The prototype plan refinement is currently being completed for the SD 92 pilot proj-ect. The refinement session serves to refine all the ideas generated so far (between 15 and 20) to 1-2 everyday practices.

On April 11, 2016 the President and senior management met with the McConnell Foundation President and trustee to discuss the WellAhead project and ongoing opportunities.

Health

NLG has a service delivery agreement with the Nisg

-a’a Valley

Health Authority. The Nisg-a’a

Valley Health Authority is the Health Authority responsible for helping Nisg

-a’a and non-Nisg

-a’a

citizens residing on Nisg-a’a Lands

maintain and improve their health. The Nisg

-a’a Valley Health Authority

works with the Nisg-a’a Lisims

Government to ensure the nation’s health care system serves the needs of Nisg

-a’a and non-Nisg

-a’a

citizens who reside in the Nass Valley. In June of 2015 the Nisg

-a’a

Valley Health Authority developed

the Nisg-a’a Nation Health Plan,

which outlines how the Nisg-a’a

Valley Health Authority plans to move forward in fulfilling its core mandate of providing health services while strengthening its focus with key partners to advance mutual priorities for improved health. These priorities have been identified in collaboration with Nisg

-a’a Lisims Government, the

four Nisg-a’a villages, and with

Nisg-a’a Valley Health Authority

Board, Executive team, medical teams, and employees. Nisg

-a’a

Valley Health Executive and employees are key players in ensuring our success in implementing this Plan.

nisG- a’a nation health plan“A Shared Path to Improved Health” is available on the NVHA website at the following address: www.nisgaahealth.bc.ca.

Ambulatory services plans are continuing with BC Emergency Medical Services, to establish an ambulance service within Nisg

-a’a

Lands. Capacity for the ambulance service is dependent on the first emergency responders within each of the communities.

Urban Societies

Servicing the Nisg-a’a citizens who

reside off Nisg-a’a Lands, we have

the two local societies providing programs and services. Nisg

-a’a

Ts’amiks Vancouver Society pro-vides programs and services to citizens in the greater Vancouver region, Vancouver Island and up to Williams Lake. Gitmax-mak-’ay Prince Rupert, Port Edward Local Society provides programs and services to citizens in Prince Rupert and Port Edward, as well as affil-iates in the provinces beyond BC. The programs and services offered to citizens include, however are not limited to this list; K-12 education gifts, culture and language, eco-nomic development and recreation.


Denise Verreaultdirector of proGrams & services

Bev Azakdeputy director, and the proGrams & services staff



Within the Directorate of Lands and Resources we have been heavily involved in furthering the socio-economic goals of the Nisg

-a’a Nation, participating in

capitalizing on the opportunities that now sit firmly on our doorsteps. This has required a balancing of resources to ensure that other aspects of governance also move forward. To support this balancing of workloads the position of Deputy Director was created. This position has proven invaluable in supporting all departments and preparing for the potential start of the largest construction project to ever occur on Nisg

-a’a Lands.

Understanding, maintaining and even enhancing the environmental and cultural impacts of all projects

both on Nisg-a’a Lands and within

the entire Nass Area, remains a primary land management goal, regardless of the project. Our staff tirelessly works to review and re-spond to the mountain of referrals, reports, projects, and interests for any project within the Nass Area, from large complex federal environmental assessments to single bridge replacements. The processes have been in place for several years and while they must constantly evolve, they have re-mained consistent with the original goals and objective of the Nass Area Strategy. We strive to always remember who owns the land, its importance to Nisg

-a’a citizens,

maintaining our obligations under the Treaty and the Constitution of the Nisg

-a’a Nation.

The Northwest Transmission Line (NTL) was a relatively small project in comparison to the potential disturbance related to the PRGT pipeline. Lessons learned from the NTL were implemented immediately. We now have a far greater role in the review and approval of on the ground plans, dedicated roles for professionals and staff in the oversight of specific plans in and around sensitive environmental and cultural resources. We will have liaison and protocol agreements with other governmental organizations, having the ability to utilize their authority in ensuring the requirements of permits and the Environmental Assessment Certificate are met.

Departments and staff within the Directorate include:

1. Directors Office: + Warren Fekete, Director

of Lands and Resources, + Mansell Griffin,

Deputy Director of Lands and Resources,

+ Shelley Wilson, Senior Administrative Assistant.

2. Lands Department: + David Cassidy,

Lands Manager, + Tracey McKay,

Senior Lands Officer, + Anthony Moore,

Lands Officer.

3. Forest Resources Department: + Marek Waszkiewicz RPF,

Forest Resources Manager, + Rodney Moore, Nisg

-a’a

Resource Officer III, + Michael Moore,

Fire Crew Leader.

4. GIS Department: + Kimberley Sandve,

GIS Technician

5. Department of Resource Enforcement:

+ Alfred McKay, Enforcement Officer,

+ Garrett Dyer, Enforcement Officer.

6. Land Title Office: + Diane Cragg,

Registrar of Land Titles, + Dorothy Elliott, Deputy

Registrar of Land Titles, + Kristy Barton, Registry Clerk.

directorate of laNdS & reSourceS

Warren Fekete director lands & resources


Department of Resource Enforcement

Over the past 24 months the Department of Resource Enforcement has shrunk to two Enforcement Officers, turnover within the department has resulted in two vacancies that have been difficult to fill with qualified applications.

The Department of Resource Enforcement focuses the majority of its time on Nisg

-a’a Lands, but

also focuses on and patrols the entire Nass Wildlife Area.

enforcement seasons and partnersThe Department of Resource Enforcement divides its year into 5 seasons: Eulachon, fishing, mushroom, hunting and training. The Department of Resource Enforcement can be found patrolling the Nass Wildlife Area by vehicle, ATV, snowmobile, and boat. The Department of Resource Enforcement officers will often join forces and patrol with our Enforcement partners including the Conservation Officer Service (COS), the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), Lisims/Nass Valley RCMP and other governing agencies including Ministry of Forest, Lands and Natural Resource Operations — Compliance and Enforcement division.

leGislated mandateThroughout the year, the Depart-ment of Resource Enforcement focuses on violations of the Nisg

-a’a

Fish and Wildlife Act, the Nisg-

a’a Forest Act or the Nisg

-a’a Offence

Act. In addition, the Department of Resource Enforcement also focuses on educating Nisg

-a’a and

non-Nisg-a’a recreational users of

the Nass Wildlife Area. The Depart-ment of Resource Enforcement has provided public education presentations on how to prevent human/wildlife conflict, how to be safe around aggressive animals in the Nisg

-a’a Villages and educating

hunters/anglers regarding the regulations and expectations of all users in the Nass Wildlife Area.

common activitiesThe Department of Resource Enforcement responds to and attends various nuisance wildlife calls throughout the spring and late fall months. The Department of Resource Enforcement reminds all users of the Nass Wildlife Area to remove their garbage from the area, in addition to, disposing of all fish entails into fast flowing water. Also, the Department of Resource Enforcement will respond to calls of illegal fishing on Nisg

-a’a Lands,

illegal hunting on or near Nisg-a’a

Lands and general complaint calls with respect to all threatening wildlife issues on Nisg

-a’a Lands.

Often, the Department of Resource Enforcement may not have the authority to deal with certain types of violations and will instead join forces with the applicable enforcement partner to remedy the situation. Additionally,

the Department of Resource Enforcement is always a willing participant when any emergency situation presents itself on Nisg

-a’a Lands.

Over the past 24 months the Department of Resource Enforcement has been directly involved in numerous files pertaining to illegal fishing or illegal hunting on or near Nisg

-a’a

Lands. With the limited amount of wildlife resources available to Nisg

-a’a citizens, it is imperative

the Department of Resource Enforcement take preventative action to protect Nisg

-a’a Treaty

interests and apprehend any individual who chooses to violate the Nisg

-a’a Offence Act, the

Nisg-

a’a Fish and Wildlife Act or the Nisg

-a’a Forest Act. These precious

resources are in decline and one of the priorities of the Department of Resource Enforcement is to ensure that fish and wildlife resources continue to be available for future generations.

Often, the public will come across road checks set up in specific areas of the Nass Wildlife Area to aid in the protection of Nisg

-a’a Treaty

interests and prevention and con-servation of the fish and wildlife resources. These road checks also allow the Department of Resource Enforcement to connect with and educate any person utilizing the Nass Wildlife Area for recreational opportunities.




Lands Department

The Lands Department is respon-sible for the implementation of the Lands, Access and Roads and Rights of Way chapters of the Nisg

-a’a Final Agreement. The

Nisg-

a’a Land Act, Nisg-

a’a Lands Designation Act and Nisg

-a’a

Highway Construction Act are the primary legislative documents that regulate the use, management and ownership of Nisg

-a’a Lisims

Lands (Lands not registered in the Nisg

-a’a Land Title Office), although

other acts also include provisions that affect Nisg

-a’a Lands.

The Lands Department is orga-nized into a number of program units. Overall management is the responsibility of the Lands Manager, although specific tasks within program areas are assigned to Lands staff in accordance with their interest and training. Program areas are linked to the approved budget of Nisg

-a’a Lisims Govern-

ment, and through the budget to the priorities established by Wilp Si’ayuuk-hl Nisg

-a’a. All staff mem-

bers are responsible for keeping their projects within approved budgets.

The Lands Department has been involved in regional land use planning, maintaining communication with the local Highways staff regarding the maintenance of Hwy 113, assisting the Approving Officer with subdivision review and approval processes, determining the feasibility of developing hydro-electric power generation, evaluating referrals from BC

and Canada and participating in Environmental Assessments.

lisims land reGistryThe Lisims Land Registry is the re-cord of all interest in Nisg

-a’a Lands

granted by the Nisg-a’a Nation.

We have had very little activity in the Lands Registry these past two years. The Northwest Transmission Line is complete and we expect a final survey to be prepared for deposit in the Registry.

land manaGementAs part of Land Management for Nisg

-a’a Lands we install and

maintain signage, conduct land use planning, maintain the var-ious land use plans we have for Nisg

-a’a Lands and our fee simple

properties, conduct inspections on our properties and on tenures on Nisg

-a’a Lands and review the

ongoing Boundary surveys being undertaken by BC (such as the Nisg

-a’a Highway Corridor surveys).

iNSpectioNSWe periodically inspect land ten-ures such as the various Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI) and Village operated quar-ries or the Landfill and we annually inspect our fee simple properties. As our properties are currently undeveloped, inspection largely consists of inspecting for evidence of trespass and where there are existing buildings inspecting to determine safety of the structures.

laNd uSe plaNNiNgActivities related to the Fishery Bay Management Plan are un-derway. Steps taken thus far to implement the plan:

+ The areas identified in the Plan for parking have had the timber felled

+ Gravelling of the east parking lot has started

+ We have begun field marking lot corners with ribbon

NiSg- a’a eNviroNmeNtal aSSeSSmeNt legiSlatioNNLG is currently drafting Environ-mental Assessment legislation in accordance with Chapter 10 of the Treaty.

NiSg- a’a highWayAlthough the Nisg

-a’a Highway is

excluded from Nisg-a’a Lands, there

is a range of issues associated with the highway that require involve-ment of Lands staff. Some of these issues include:

Permits:The ongoing construction and maintenance projects associated with the Highway create a need to permit contractors, MoTI employees, BC Hydro employees and others to undertake works on Nisg

-a’a Lands. This use can range

from the storage of equipment or materials to the siting and permitting of asphalt plants or other temporary facilities. Permits are issued for each use in order to manage liability issues avoid land or resource use conflicts.

road maintenance:The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure has the right to access gravel on Nisg

-a’a Lands for the

purposes of maintaining the Nisg-a’a

Highway. This access is managed through a series of gravel manage-ment plans that are approved by Nisg

-a’a Lisims Government. This


ensures that gravel is available for both the Ministry of Transportation and its contractors and Nisg

-a’a

citizens and villages. NLG is working with MoTI to ensure the gravel management plans will work for both MoTI and the Nisg

-a’a Nation

in the long term.

nechako north coast maintenance:

NLG continues to work closely with the highway maintenance contractor, and the MoTI. Seasonal meetings are convened by the MoTI with stakeholders at which the performance of the contractor is assessed and graded. A bonus/or no bonus, is awarded to the Contractor based on this assessment. NNC will continue its paving, patching, culvert installations/drainage, ditching, mowing, brushing and tree removal activities this year.

Winter maintenance on the highway is governed by a contract between MoTI and NNC. The Nisg

-a’a Highway has recently

been re-classified as a Class B highway. This classification allows accumulations of snow up to 2.4 inches. Nechako North Coast will conduct winter maintenance according to the contract, although priority is given to the school bus route between Ging

-olx and

Gitlax-t’aamiks.

cranberry Forest service road:

Efforts continue to see this road upgraded and made part of the Nisg

-a’a Highway — with limited

success to date. Due to the Avanti Kitsault mine suspension the 32km access road will not be maintained by Avanti this year. Please be care-ful on this road.

bridges:We continue to work toward the goal of having all of the single lane bridges on the Nisg

-a’a Highway

upgraded. MoTI has notified NLG that the Sii Aks bridge (Km 80) is being redesigned as a two lane bridge.

The Tumbling Creek bridge beside Lava Lake has received upgraded guard rails and the abutments were reinforced.

NaSS areaThe bridge over the Nass River on Highway 37 is in the redesign stage as a double lane bridge.

evaluatinG referrals and participatinG in environmental assessmentsWe routinely receive referrals for Notices of Work for mineral ex-ploration and land tenure applica-tions for tenure on Crown Lands

from FLNRO (Forest Lands and Natural Resource Operations — all within the Nass Area. Of these we typically ask for more information regarding impacts to our Treaty Interests (such as fish and wildlife) and what benefits will accrue from these projects to Nisg

-a’a citizens

(such as employment and contract opportunities). We are slowly start-ing to see more and more Nisg

-a’a

citizens being afforded and taking up these opportunities in the min-eral exploration industry.

eNviroNmeNtal aSSeSSmeNtSWe have been involved in a number of Environmental Assessments most notably the two LNG pipe-lines that transect the Nass Area as well as the Brucejack and Kerr-Sulpherets-Mitchell (KSM) Mines and continue to ensure we are involved in all EA’s that involve projects that may impact our Treaty Interests. NLG is actively participating in the EA process for the IDM Red Mountain Mine which is located approximately 20kms east of Stewart.




avaNti kitSault miNeThe proponent, Avanti, was grant-ed an EA certificate by BC. The mine is currently suspended due to the low price of molybdenum.

kSm miNeThis mine has received an Environ-ment Assessment Certificate from both the Province and Canada. Permitting is now underway. NLG is a member of the Mine Development Review Committee specifically relating to reviewing the impact of permit applications affecting the Nass Area.

brucejack miNe (pretium reSourceS)The EA process has concluded. NLG is involved in reviewing per-mits that impact the Nass Area.

red mouNtaiN (idm miNiNg)The EA process has begun. NLG is a member of the working group that is selecting valued compo-nents that the proponent must evaluate and satisfy in order to proceed to obtaining the EA certificate.

WiNdriver hydroelectric projectThis project is about to start its EA process.

lNg pipeliNe propoSalSPermitting for the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission (TransCanada) pipeline is well under way. The Westcoast Connector Gas Transmission (Spectra) pipeline has had little activity in the past year.

Forest Resources Department

Forestry Department manages Nisg

-a’a forests to assure

sustainability of forest resources for future generations, and provide employment opportunity through planning and executing various forestry activities. The operations are guided by the Nisg

-a’a Forest

Act, its regulations, policies and approved operational plans.

nisG- a’a public land licenceIn 2014 the Nisg

-a’a Public Land

Licence was issued for another five years. Accompanying the replace-ment of the Public Lands Licence was the approval of the 2015-2019 Forest Development Plan. The plan is publicly available, both at the NLG office in Gitlax-t’aamiks and at the Nisg

-a’a Pacific Ventures Office.

For the two year period 2014-2016 Lisims Forest Resources LP constructed approximately 16 km of forestry roads to access about 150,000 cubic meters of timber on Nisg

-a’a Lands. This volume was

contained within 10 blocks totalling 329 hectares, with logging ongoing on several blocks for greater than 3 years. At the present time there are four active logging blocks and three cut block and road permits files under review by the Director.

All harvested cut blocks are regenerated through planting and natural regeneration. Normally, planting take place within first or second year following harvesting. Results have shown that between 4-6 years, harvested areas are fully stocked with acceptable commercial species. Reforestation performance of blocks harvested

under the Nisg-a’a Public Lands

Licence has been very good; however reporting the results in a timely manner remains an issue.

To ensure reforestation, NLG collects a silviculture levy for each harvested cut block. The current fund is approx. $1.3 million.

Waste was a concern during the last special assembly, a review of blocks on Nisg

-a’a Lands, showed

relatively low amounts of waste. On Crown lands near Nisg

-a’a Lands

a significant amount of waste was identified. In 2015 Logging waste has recently become a problem on one cut block under the Nisg

-a’a

Public Lands Licence. Staff are communicating with Lisims Forest Resources to address the problem.

timber supply revieW on nisG- a’a landsThe new Timbers Supply Review and Annual Allowable Cut (AAC) determination for Nisg

-a’a Lands is

on the way and will be implement-ed in summer 2016. At this time, all the information for TSR data package and information about current management practices has been gathered and analysis will be completed within one month. The sustainability of natural resources, biodiversity and protection of sen-sitive ecosystems are integral part of the analysis. The information contained in final analysis report will be used by the NLG’s Director of Lands and Resources to estab-lish the new AAC.


Wildfire creWIn the last two years the NLG Wildfire Crew has been estab-lished. The duties of the crew included: preparedness to fighting wildfire, patrolling, wildfire fighting training, promoting public aware-ness of wildfire, liaison with Village Government fire departments, educating youth, etc.

During periods of low fire hazard the wildfire crew performed over 750 hours of brushing on forestry roads, light maintenance of culverts, removing litter, and supporting activities on recreational sites.


Warren Fekete director lands & resources

Land Title Office

The Nisg-a’a Land Title Office re-

cords all fee simple titles to Nisg-a’a

Lands and charges against those titles. This includes new grants of fee simple ownership under the Nisg

-a’a Landholding Transition Act

and all Nisg-a’a Village Entitlements

and Nisg-a’a Nation Entitlements.

The Nisg-a’a Land Title Office is

located in the Nisg-a’a Lisims

Government Administration build-ing in Gitlax-t’aamiks. Office hours are 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Monday to Friday. You can reach us by tele-phone at 250 633 3028 or by email at [email protected].

land title office staff + Registrar of Land Titles —

Diane Cragg [email protected]

The Registrar of Land Titles is responsible for the implementation of the Land Title chapter of the Nisg

-a’a Final Agreement, and the

provisions of the Nisg-

a’a Land Title Act, the Nisg

-a’a Village Entitlement

Act, Nisg-

a’a Nation Entitlement Act and Nisg

-a’a Landholding Transition

Act. The Registrar is an Officer of WSN as set out in the Nisg

-a’a

Effective Date Procedures Act.

+ Deputy Registrar of Land Titles — Dorothy Elliott [email protected]

The Deputy Registrar is responsible for the operations of the Land Title Office and for making sure that all applications for registration are accurate and complete for regis-tration. She also supervises the Registry Clerk and monitors land title work programs and budgets.

+ Registry Clerk — Kristy Barton [email protected]

The Registry Clerk is the first point of contact for land title matters. Her responsibilities include intake of land title applications, correspondence, filing and general administrative assistance.

land title office budGet and activityThe provisional 2016/17 budget for the Nisg

-a’a Land Title Office

is $335,190.00

This is a decrease of $37,740.00 as compared to the 2015/16 budget.

The staff of the Land Title Office is able to provide help and informa-tion to anyone who wants to reg-ister a transaction in the Nisg

-a’a

Land Title Register. This includes




assisting clients with understand-ing application forms, fees and processes, registering transactions on lands in both the Restricted Register and Fee Simple Register, and providing general information about Registered Nisg

-a’a Lands.

neW activity in the nisG- a’a land title officeSince the 2014 Special Assembly, we have had significant success with developing constructive relationships with major financial institutions. Three now offer mortgage support for fee simple titles registered in the Nisg

-a’a

Land Title Office: Royal Bank of Canada, Toronto Dominion Bank, and Northern Savings Credit Union.

The Land Title Office has also taken over the responsibility of communications with BC Assess-ment. The Registrar of the Nisg

-a’a

Land Title Office has been appoint-ed by the Executive to the role of

Administrator for the Administra-tive Agreement between BC Assessment and the Nisg

-a’a

Nation. The dedicated telephone number for property assessment matters is 250 633 3075.

A significant achievement in 2015 was the invitation from the Cana-dian Council of Land Title Officials for the Nisg


to join its organization. Until now, this organization’s membership has been restricted to provincial and territorial governments. We are the only aboriginal Government that belongs. This membership is complimented by our membership in the International Registrars of Title Conference, and displays the respect that our Land Title system has gained in the national and international arena.

The Land Title Office has made significant improvements to its technology infrastructure in the

last year, with the addition of software components that track both the Lisims Land Registry and property assessment folios.

folloW-up to issues raised at the 2014 special assemblyThere were no issues related to the Nisg


brought forward at the 2014 Special Assembly.

Please visit our new website at www.nisgaalandtitle.ca.


Diane Cragg reGistrar of land titles


The Directorate of Finance is the responsibility of the Chief Financial Officer (the “CFO”) who oversees the Nisg

-a’a Museum and

the Accounting, Capital Projects & Maintenance, and Information Technology departments at Nisg

-a’a

Lisims Government (NLG). The Directorate of Finance consists of 17 employees of whom 13 are Nisg

-a’a.

The office of the CFO is created by the Nisg

-a’a Financial

Administration Act and has responsibilities and authorities under various pieces of Nisg

-a’a

Legislation including the Nisg-

a’a Financial Administration Act, the Nisg

-a’a Capital Finance Commission

Act, and the Nisg-

a’a Programs and Services Delivery Act. The CFO is responsible for the administration and maintenance of all accounts as well as functional control over all financial transactions of the Nisg

-a’a Nation. The CFO is also

responsible for the evaluation of financial management of the Nisg

-a’a Nation, Nisg

-a’a Villages,

and Nisg-a’a Institutions.

The Accounting department maintains all the financial records of NLG and compiles financial reports from all Nisg

-a’a entities.

To that end, it processes all financial transactions, prepares financial reports, and develops and maintains all internal controls for NLG. The Accounting department also compiles and develops the Nisg

-a’a Nation’s budgets and

forecasted cash flows.

The Capital Projects and Main-tenance department, working alongside the Capital Finance Commission, oversees the replace-ment and major maintenance of all capital assets of the Nisg

-a’a Nation

including the Nisg-a’a Villages and

the Nisg-a’a Valley Health Authority.

The department is also responsible for the day-to-day maintenance of nation assets like the NLG admin-istrative building, and the Nisg

-a’a

Museum. The Capital Projects Ad-ministrator is also responsible for organizing and coordinating meet-ings of the Nisg

-a’a Capital Finance

Commission under the direction of the CFO.

The Information Technology department maintains all the electronic information systems of NLG and ensures all systems are secure including necessary backups and redundancies. The Information Technology department supports every employee at NLG and ensures they have the necessary resources to deliver their program or service. Finally, the Information Technology department also ensures that there is coordination on Information Technology matters with the Nisg

-a’a Villages and

various Nisg-a’a entities.

The Nisg-a’a Museum through the

Curator operates in conjunction with a Nisg

-a’a Museum Advisory

Committee. Both are responsible for the safe care, management, and conservation of the Ancestors’ Collection to ensure its preserva-tion for generations to come.

directorate of fiNaNce

Terry L. Holtchief financial officer


Nisg-a’a Lisims Government / Summary Financial Information

The Nisg-a’a Lisims Government (the “Government”) fiscal 2015 audited financial statements contain a

$9.1 million surplus (2014 — $10.82 million). Audited financial statement highlights are as follows:

+ FFA (Fiscal Financing Agreement) revenues have increased to $60.1 million (2014 — $59.7 million); + investment income of $13.7 million (2014 — $18.8 million); + benefit agreements generated revenues of $6.4 million (2014 — $1.3 million); + Nass Area Strategy expenditures of $4.1 million have been funded through a combination

of capacity funding and targeted revenues totaling $3.0 million; + property tax revenues have been included in the Government’s revenues; + Nisg

-a’a Employment and Skills Training and NLG Terrace office expansions;

+ continuance of the commercial fisheries program; + cash on hand of $6.8 million (2014 — $412,370); + received final capital transfer and made final payment on Treaty debt payable; + executed purchase agreement for the Milligan’s Guide Outfitter License; + commenced construction of high speed internet in the Nass Valley.


Fiscal 2015 Financial Statements (with fiscal 2014 comparatives)All amounts are included in the March 31, 2015 audited consolidated financial statements of Nisg

-a’a Lisims Government or have

been calculated from those financial statements. The financial statements are available to all Nisg-a’a citizens by appointment at

the Nisg-a’a Lisims Government office or can be downloaded from the Nisg

-a’a Nation website.

statement of operations and accumulated surplus

revenues 2015 2014

Fiscal Financing Agreement and related funding $ 60,103,740 $ 59,657,068

Investment Income 13,861,056 20,030,754

Tax revenue 6,770,586 6,183,365

Share of commercial entities’ revenue 2,130,832 4,073,384

Other revenues 14,238,581 5,431,913

97,104,795 95,376,484

operatinG expenses 36,846,483 34,024,753

Transfers and operating grants

Nisg-a’a Village Governments 24,771,491 23,903,123

Nisg-a’a Valley Health Authority 16,051,474 15,866,945

Nisg-a’a School Board #92 7,187,799 7,942,020

Nisg-a’a Urban Locals 2,018,442 1,795,174

Wilp Wilx-o’oskwhl Nisg-a’a 1,138,385 1,021,485

51,167,591 50,528,747

excess of revenues over expenses 9,090,721 10,822,984

Accumulated surplus, beginning of year 235,892,662 225,069,678

accumulated surplus, end of year 244,983,383 235,892,662


consolidated statement of financial position

financial assets 2015 2014

Cash and other current assets $ 6,759,314 $ 412,370

Accounts and loans receivable 3,145,333 3,449,179

Nisg-a’a Final Agreement proceeds receivable - 22,510,937

Capital Finance Commission receivable 7,229,268 3,614,634

Designated cash 27,276,269 24,999,128

Designated trust funds 228,850,451 208,087,862

Investments in other entities 777,148 2,686,820

274,037,783 265,760,930

liabilities

Bank indebtedness - 517,132

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 17,293,136 13,388,292

Silviculture liability 1,624,455 1,546,114

Deferred revenues and deposits received 1,252,978 378,039

Capital Finance Commission deferred revenue 34,241,582 27,904,853

Treaty debt payable - 9,845,923

Long-term debt 2,920,427 3,386,636

57,332,578 56,966,989

net financial assets 216,705,205 208,793,941

non-financial assets

Tangible capital assets 27,558,611 27,066,910

Other non-financial assets 719,567 31,811

28,278,178 27,098,721

accumulated surplus 244,983,383 235,892,662


Fiscal Financing Agreement (FFA) Negotiations

The Treaty sets out the principles, matters to be taken into account and contents of fiscal financing agreements. The current Fiscal Financing Agreement is a tripartite framework agreement that was signed between the Nisg

-a’a

Nation, Canada, and British Columbia. The parties must be guided by the treaty provisions

in formulating and conducting negotiations. Every five years, or at other intervals if the Parties agree, the Parties will negotiate and attempt to reach agreement on a fiscal financing agreement by which funding will be provided to the Nisg

-a’a Nation to enable the

provision of agreed-upon public programs and services to Nisg

-a’a

citizens and, where applicable, non-Nisg

-a’a occupants of Nisg

-a’a

Lands, at levels reasonably comparable to those generally

prevailing in northwest British Columbia. The term of the current agreement which was to end on March 31, 2015 has been extended, with the present extension of the FFA expiring on March 31, 2017. The work by our FFA team is ongoing at the Tripartite working group level.


Nisg-a’a Settlement Trust

The Nisg-a’a Settlement Trust was

established to provide for the future benefit of the Nisg

-a’a Nation. Over

the years the Trust has accumulated value through the receipt of capital transfers from Canada, British Columbia, and through investment returns provided by the Trust Funds.

Since the inception of the Trust the Royal Trust Corporation of Canada, a member company of the Royal Bank Financial Group, has been appointed as Trustee and is responsible for the administration of the Trust. The Government

has appointed a Trustee to hold, protect and grow this portion of Nisg

-a’a Final Agreement proceeds.

The Trust Fund, valued at $278 million as at December 21, 2015, returned 7.6% which exceeded its passive benchmark by 2.1%. Looking over the longer four-year period, the Trust generated a strong annualized return of 12.6% which exceeded the passive benchmark by 3.1% per annum.

The actual asset mix at the end of December 2015 was 38% fixed in-come and mortgages, 23% Canadian equities and 39% global equities.

The Trust’s Spending Sustainability Index surpassed its $105 Upper Range at $123.78. For the Trust to maintain its real value, it must grow at least at the rate of Spend-ing + Total Fees + Own Source Revenue Tax Accrual + Inflation.

It should be noted that the Trust takes a long term view regarding its investment policy. While fluctuations are expected in economic conditions and market results, the expectation is that the Trust will earn a positive return over the long term. However, past investment performance results are not necessarily indicative of future performance results.


Total Trust Asset Allocation at December 31, 2015


Provisional Budget (Fiscal 2016/1 7 Unaudited)

On or before March 30 Wilp Si’ayuuk-hl Nisg-a’a (WSN) must adopt a provisional budget for the Nisg

-a’a Nation for

the next fiscal year. The provisional budget for fiscal 2016/17 was passed by WSN on March 30, 2016. While the Federal Fiscal Financing Agreement remains the single largest revenue source, in ‘Preparing for Opportunities on our Doorstep’ significant focus was put on preparing for other sustainable opportunities. The budget maintained maximum appropriations from the Nisg

-a’a Settlement Trust at 1.8% and fully allocated all FFA transfers and treaty

implementation revenues. Highlights of the budget are as follows:

+ FFA transfers improved $2.4 million to $66.1 million, a 3.8% increase from 2015/16 ($63.6 M). + Nisg

-a’a Settlement Trust appropriations increased to $4.997 million (2015/16 = $4.677 M).

+ Net Treaty Implementation revenues decreased to $3.4 million (2015/16 = $5.61 M). + The Government expects to have need for $23.9 of FFA revenues, trust appropriations and treaty

implementation appropriations to fund its activities. This level of expenditure is down 1% from prior year. + The total funding for Nisg

-a’a Villages remains consistent with prior year apart from the addition of funds

for General Assembly. Total funding equaled $24,376,606. + Funding levels to the Nisg

-a’a Urban Locals has been limited to 2015/16 levels with the exception

of additional funding related to the General Assembly. + Wilp Wilx-o’oskwhl Nisg

-a’a Institute (WWNI), School District No. 92, and Nisg

-a’a Valley Health Authority (NVHA)

had requested additional funds. However after review, funding is proposed to remain at 2015/16 levels.

provisional budGet — statement of operations and accumulated surplus

revenues 2016/17

Fiscal Financing Agreement and related funding $ 66,105,664

Settlement Trust appropriation 4,997,333

Treaty Implementation appropriation 3,460,688

Grants & other own-source revenues 6,270,446

Investment income 7,359,210

Fund transfers 3,218,617

91,411,958

operatinG expenses 39,906,307

Transfers and operating grants

Nisg-a’a Village Governments 24,376,605

Nisg-a’a Valley Health Authority 15,611,655

Nisg-a’a School Board #92 7,672,448

Nisg-a’a Urban Locals 2,021,224

Wilp Wilx-o’oskwhl Nisg-a’a 1,015,604

50,697,536

excess of revenues over expenses 808,115

Accumulated surplus, beginning of year 244,983,383

accumulated surplus, end of year 245,791,498



Future Initiatives

The Directorate of Finance plans to be engaged in a number of areas in fiscal 2016/17 and beyond:

1. Enhance the budget process and associated communication package.

2. Increase uniformity of financial information between Nisg


Village Governments, Nisg-a’a

Institutions, and Nisg-a’a

Entities.

3. Partner with leading banking institutions to create financial strategies that support the nation’s ‘Preparing for Oppor-tunities on our Doorstep’.

4. Continue working closely with the trustee and investment management partners to monitor Settlement Trust investments to ensure long term growth and liquidity within a risk constrained framework.

5. Continue to support the Nisg

-a’a Nation in FFA

negotiations with Canada and BC.

6. Capital Projects & Maintenance based development of an Asset Management Program Framework that establishes a high-level, systematic approach to support NLG and Village governments in moving toward service, asset and financial sustainability.

7. Systematic review process of Nisg


and Village accounting systems requirements and related vision for the future state for financial management.


Terry L. Holtchief financial officer



I am pleased to share with you our report on Nisg

-a’a Fisheries

and Wildlife Department program activities. Since our last report in 2014, many projects have been successfully completed, helping to ensure the sustainability of fish and wildlife populations for all Nisg

-a’a citizens to enjoy.

Each year, our Nisg-a’a citizens

become more knowledgeable about our treaty, fish and wildlife regulations, and program activities. In understanding and sharing a vision for the sustainable manage-ment of our resources, the Nisg

-a’a

people share in the success of our program.

This report summarizes Nisg-a’a

Fisheries and Wildlife Department activities for the period of April 1, 2014 through March 31, 2016, demonstrating performance and fiscal responsibility.

Fisheries

The Nisg-a’a Fisheries Program has

now entered its 25th year! Starting in 1992, the program has helped provide for long-term sustainable fisheries by utilizing proven tradi-tional techniques as well as modern innovative science. Wherever possi-ble, Nisg

-a’a Traditional Knowledge

is integrated into the program, taking advantage of generations of proven sustainable practices.

Throughout the past two field seasons, numerous fisheries projects were completed, allowing for a sustainable harvest of Nass salmon for food and commercial purposes. Stable Sockeye Salmon runs allowed for individual sale fisheries in both the marine and river environments. Tracking of non-salmon species is also a vital and growing part of the program. All Nisg

-a’a citizens should take

pride for their part in supporting a tremendously successful fisheries program over the last 25 years.

The goals of the fisheries program are to:

+ Determine the status of Nass fish stocks;

+ Provide information required for better fisheries management;

+ Determine run size, timing and harvest rates;

+ Determine factors limiting production;

+ Provide training and employ-ment for Nisg

-a’a people.

Over the past two years, core field projects have been funded by the Nisg

-a’a Lisims Government, Lisims

Fisheries Conservation Trust Fund, and a Fiscal Finance Agreement. These projects included:

+ Program planning and coordination;

+ Fishwheels;

+ Salmon catch monitoring; + Eulachon catch monitoring; + Meziadin Fishway; + Kwinageese counting weir; + Non-Meziadin Sockeye surveys; + Lower Nass and coastal Coho

surveys; and + Field crew training.

Additional projects were funded by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations, Pacific Salmon Commission, and Coast Opportunity Funds.

The 2014 fisheries program employed 40 Nisg

-a’a citizens at

various times of the year, while 37 were employed in 2015.

Wildlife

Under the Nisg-a’a Treaty, moose,

mountain goat, and grizzly bear have been identified as designat-ed species, for which there are specific Nisg

-a’a allocations. The

Nass Wildlife Committee reviews available data annually and makes recommendations regarding total allowable harvests and Nisg

-a’a

allocations for these species. NLG has implemented a permit system to manage the harvest of desig-nated species by Nisg

-a’a citizens.

In the years 2014 to 2016, permits were issued to Nisg

-a’a hunters for

moose, mountain goat, and grizzly bear, and the harvest was closely

directorate of fiSherieS & Wildlife

Sim’oogit Sag-aw’een / Harry Nyce Sr.director of fisheries & Wildlife



monitored. Tracking of annual harvests allows for proper manage-ment of each of these species, and is critical to the recovery of the Nass moose population.

In the fall of each year, wildlife tech-nicians received names of licenced hunters which were entered into a draw for the opportunity to hunt bull moose in that season. The witnessed draw is done using a computer program which chooses the names at random from the total pool of ap-plicants. Technicians contact hunters throughout the hunting season, to collect important information on the harvest of all species.

An aerial moose survey was sched-uled for the winter of 2016 to up-date moose population estimates which are used to set safe harvest limits. Unfortunately, the weather was not optimal for completing the survey, which forced postponement until 2017.

2014 Highlights

+ Successfully implemented 26 projects, which included two new studies (Marine Juvenile Salmon Survey, and Radiation Sampling);

+ Escapement goals were met for Sockeye, Coho, Pink, summer run Steelhead, and nearly met for Chinook. Chum runs continue to be poor;

+ Nisg-a’a entitlement targets

were achieved: no over-harvesting;

+ Worked with Nass Wildlife Committee; successfully monitored annual hunts;

+ Monitoring of Kwinageese

barrier revealed successful passage of salmon and steelhead;

+ Sampling of Nass Sockeye and Steelhead showed no radioactive contamination from the Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan;

+ Engaged youth through a successful art contest and presence at career fairs;

+ Continued to increase the capacity of NFWD employees through ongoing training;

+ Implemented all programs within budget.

2015 Highlights

+ Successfully implemented 30 projects, which included 10 contracts;

+ Escapement goals were met for all salmon species and steelhead;

+ Nisg-a’a entitlement targets

were achieved: no over-harvesting; balanced Chum underage by converting to Sockeye Equivalency as defined by the Nisg

-a’a Treaty;

+ Worked with Nass Wildlife Committee; successfully monitored annual hunts;

+ New surveys in coastal areas revealed some good Chum returns to a few systems;

+ Monitoring of Kwinageese barrier revealed successful passage of salmon and steelhead; Kwinageese barrier was permanently removed in December of 2015;

+ Second consecutive year of sampling for presence of contamination from the Fukushima nuclear accident

in Japan (Nass Sockeye, Pink, and Steelhead showed no signs of radioactive contamination);

+ Continued to increase the capacity of NFWD employees through ongoing training;

+ Implemented all programs within budget.

Key Areas of Concern for 2016

+ Manage the 2016 season with caution for harvesting of Nass Chinook, Pink, Chum, and Coho, given the poor returns for some of the brood returns over the last five years;

+ Continue to rebuild Sockeye, Chinook, and Coho Salmon runs to the Kwinageese River which were affected by the blockage;

+ Finalize Dungeness Crab study results to address concerns raised by community of Ging

-olx;

+ Increase knowledge of marine, non-salmon species to support treaty negotiations;

+ Complete aerial moose survey to provide update on population status for use in management planning.


Sim’oogit Sag-aw’een / Harry Nyce Sr.director of fisheries & Wildlife



Nisg-a’a Fisheries & Wildlife Committee & Staff

L–R First Row: Juanita Parnel; Keith Tait; Niva Percival; Tanya Clayton L–R Second Row: William Moore; Franklin Alexcee; Harry Nyce, Sr.; Henry Moore; Edward Desson


Hello everyone, and welcome! It is an honour for me to report on the key initiatives undertaken by the Human Resources Directorate during the past two years since our 2014 Special Assembly of the Nisg

-a’a Nation.

In reviewing this report, you will note that items of a sensitive na-ture are not covered due to reasons pertaining to confidentiality. Items that are reported are captured into themes related to:

+ HR Operational Objectives + Occupational Health and Safety + Staff Training + Employee and Workplace

Wellness + Recognition and Engagement + Employees Give back

I would like to first introduce the rest of the HR Team: Pearl Munroe, HR Advisor, joined the department in December of 2012; and Raven Guno, HR Assistant, joined the team in September of 2014. These two dedicated professionals are truly committed to doing their part to make Nisg


a great place to work. Without their unwavering support and contribu-tion, delivery of our extensive HR program would not be the nationally recognized success that it is today. Indeed, it is my sincerest pleasure to lead the team within the Human Resources Directorate of Nisg

-a’a

Lisims Government.

Our report on key activities of the past two years:

HR Operational Objectives

+ Further to the Executive resolution of February 2014, and subsequent announcement at the May 2014 Special Assembly, establishment of the NLG Human Resources department as a Directorate has been complete. Through competitive posted processes, the HR Assistant (September 2014) and HR Director (February 2015) positions were filled and accompany the HR Advisor position within the Directorate.

+ Formal NLG ‘all staff’ meetings continue to take place on a quarterly or as-needed basis. Meetings are called to discuss work related matters, new programs, policy changes etc. that impact the NLG workforce organization-wide. Since the last Special Assembly in May 2014, ‘all staff’ meetings took place: October 20, 2014; April 1, 2015; October 13, 2015; January 21, 2016 and April 5, 2016.

+ HR-related policies continue to be evaluated for currency and are revised or newly developed as required. Most recently, the NLG OHS protocol was presented to and approved

by the Executive in September of 2014, and the section of the Employee Code of Conduct document related to ‘Dress Code’ was revamped, distributed to staff, and discussed at the October 2015 ‘all staff’ meeting.

+ NLG’s 360-degree Performance Evaluation survey continues as one part of the overall eval-uative process for Managers and Directors. In an effort to streamline the process, we moved to an online platform for survey distribution in February 2015. The new platform allows for ease in report compilation of the results received, and also removes systems barriers and compatibility issues that exist-ed previously.

+ Existing Job Descriptions continue to be reviewed for currency at the initiation of the position incumbent/respective supervisor, or prior to posting to fill a vacancy. As well, new job descriptions have been devel-oped where new positions have been created throughout the reporting period.

+ In an effort to better inform employees, Pension and Bene-fits information sessions were held the week of May 4, 2015. Two group sessions were host-ed at the main NLG building

directorate of humaN reSourceS

Cheryl Pelletierdirector human resources


and one session was facilitated in our Terrace office. Sessions were well attended with more than 60 staff members in attendance in total. As well, about half of those attend-ing also opted for private 1:1 sessions with representatives from Capri Insurance. Due to demand, another session was organized and well attended October 8, 2015.

Occupational Health & Safety

+ The NLG Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee continues with its mandate as a well-organized, dynamic and empowered group. Regular meetings and worksite inspec-tions continue in accordance with Canada Labour Code legislation under the leadership of two very engaged co-chairs: Anthony Moore (Hourly staff representative) and Edward Desson (Management represen-tative). The succession process for replacing outgoing commit-tee members has been devel-oped and functions effectively. The Committee works diligently and methodically to develop and revise OHS policies/proce-dures/documents, and contin-ues to keep workplace safety top of mind for all.

+ In the fall of 2014, renovations were completed and a designat-ed First Aid centre was estab-lished on the lower level of the main NLG building. Near the reception centre, this enclosed space is revered for its intended purpose. While it remains un-locked at all times for accessi-

bility in the event of emergency, casual access is prohibited. Only OFA1 (or higher) attendants as listed on the First Aid centre door are permitted.

+ NLG continues to invest in essential First Aid equipment and supplies. Inventory is monitored regularly and at least once annually, supplies are ordered to replenish stock, and additional equipment is secured to match and fully maximize increased in-house OFA capacity and expertise. Our most recent acquisition was the addition of a second AED (automated external defibrillator) which arrived March 2016. The life-saving equipment is designated for our Museum operation in Lax-g

-alts’ap.

+ First Aid training was held on-site at the NLG Fisheries office on March 22 and 23, 2016. Six employees were certified in OFA level 1, and 4 were certified for Transportation Endorsement. Another 2-day session is planned for the fall to recertify attendants with 3-year certifications due to expire at that time.

+ In April of 2015, NLG sent a contingent of 7 to the 2-day Western Conference on Safety, held in Vancouver. As of writing this report, all 8 current OHS Committee members are regis-tered to attend this annual Con-ference, this year scheduled for April 11 & 12, 2016. In addition, the 6 newest appointees to the NLG Committee will attend ‘OHS Committee’ training on April 13th to satisfy a legislated

training requirement. The two remaining ‘veteran committee delegates’ that have previous-ly attended this training will attend an alternate post-con-ference training course.

Staff Training / General

+ Staff Training and Development continues to be supported in accordance with the policy dat-ed March 2013. Varying degrees of assistance is approved at the Directorate level with HR consultation and strategic guid-ance as needed. NLG continues to strive for building internal capacity and works to associ-ate training opportunities with needs identified in employee performance and training plans.

+ In June of 2014, NLG recognized the formal post-secondary Educational Achievements of 11 employees. In June of 2015, 9 employees were applauded for reaching their Educational goals. Fostering a culture of continuous learning creates a stronger, dynamic workforce. We encourage staff presently enrolled in their chosen fields of study and look forward to celebrating their success upon completion.

+ Five Managers/Supervisors par-ticipated in a two-day training session in Terrace, February 15 and 16, 2016.

+ In partnership with the NLG P&S Directorate, a Lateral Violence training session took place at NLG Chambers June 30, 2015 with over 30 staff mem-



bers in attendance from across the organization.

+ October 13, 2015, a Bullying and Harassment training session was delivered as part of an ‘all staff’ meeting. Training includ-ed reporting and investigating procedures and distribution of newly developed documents.

+ March 21, 2016, a Respectable Workplaces workshop was hosted in NLG Chambers (26 employees) and another was hosted March 22 in the Terrace P&S office (10 employees).

Employee & Workplace Wellness

+ The Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) continues to be offered through Shepell.fgi. The counselling service is strictly confidential and is available to all regular NLG employees and their en-rolled dependents. HR Director receives an annual report on utilization rates only. We are pleased to report that utili-zation is strong which is very encouraging. Knowing that our employees and their depen-dents utilize the service that is provided for as part of their benefits package indicates a good return on NLG’s invest-ment in employee well-being. HR Department staff continue to promote the service by way of direct consultation, posters, distribution of e-newsletters, printed brochures etc.

+ April 1, 2015 was the launch of the vastly overhauled and high-ly improved ‘NLG Staff Walking Program.’ Staff members were encouraged to participate and small to larger incentives were granted at 8 pre-determined milestones as participants walked or ran their way to the 500 km finish line. The program was a huge success with 80% staff participation. Final results for top milestones recorded: 19 staff reached 300 kms; 16 hit 400 kms and 14 reached the 500 km milestone!

+ The NLG Employee Goodwill program continues whereby employees hospitalized due to illness or for the birth of a child, receive flowers and a card of well-wishes sent on behalf of everyone at NLG.

+ Appreciating the diversity and age demographics in our work-force, NLG continues to seek inter-departmental wellness and learning opportunities for all physical abilities and interests. A recent example is the launch of the ‘Green Thumb’ club initiated in the spring of 2015. Gardeners of varying backgrounds, includ-ing several with no previous experience, planted and tended to 8 large planters at the main NLG building in Gitlax-t’aamiks throughout the summer. The group planted flowers, herbs, vegetables and fruit, later harvesting the edible portion of their bounty for a season- end luncheon celebration.

+ An enthusiastic team of 10 employees are registered to participate in the Skeena River

Relay race from Prince Rupert to Terrace on Saturday, June 4, 2016. As of writing this report, plans are underway to assemble an additional team tasked with providing transportation, water, towels, general encouragement and support to the runners.

Employee Recognition & Engagement

+ Launched in 2012, the NLG Employee Apparel program continues as an exclusive benefit for regular, and temporary regular employees. Garments are embroidered with the NLG logo, consistent with our corporate image and branding. The 2014 presentation to staff was a quality Sherpa-lined blanket, fleece scarf and reusable tote; the 2015 presentation was a light-weight wind and rain resistant walking-style jacket bundled in a 2-tone reusable tote. Presentations took place at the annual NLG Staff Christmas Dinner celebrations.

+ Launched in January 2013, the HR department implemented a ‘Birthday Wishes’ program. Well received, this program continues whereby each regular employee receives a small NLG-branded gift and in-house crafted personal birthday card on their birthday, from the HR department staff.

+ The month of March is National Social Work Month. In recogni-tion of their tireless dedication to our most vulnerable Nisg

-a’a

citizens presentations were



made to all NCFS Social Work-ers as well as the entire NCFS support staff team on March 17, 2015 and March 15, 2016.

+ April 22, 2014 and April 23, 2015 marked Administrative Professionals Day at NLG. All staff were invited to celebrate with light refreshments as presentations were made in recognition of the contributions of our NLG Administrative Support Staff. (At the time of preparing this report, plans are underway for the 2016 recognition event).

+ June 16, 2014 and June 16, 2015 marked the second and third annual Employee Appreciation and Recognition events. This annual luncheon is dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the commitment and excellence of all NLG Employees. In addition, we take the opportunity to highlight individual and group achievements, as well as orga-nizational accomplishments.

+ Two Retirement Celebrations took place in 2015: May 28 for Diane Stewart; and June 30 for Daphne Robinson. Luncheon celebrations were hosted and presentations were made in recognition of their dedicated service to Nisg

-a’a citizens.

+ The NLG HR department con-tinues to engage employees organization-wide in a variety of ways throughout the year. Such activities include: Annual Halloween Costume Contests; the ‘Festive Holiday Statement Sweater’ (aka Ugly Christmas Sweater) contest; Secret Santa

Gift Exchange; and staff-initiat-ed potluck luncheons.

+ In November of 2014, the NLG HR Department was recognized nationally at the Canadian HR Awards in Toronto, winning the category of ‘Best Rewards and Recognition Strategy’. The HR Team was again recognized as a finalist in the 2015 National awards in the category of ‘Best Employee Engagement Strategy’.

+ Our NLG Employee Long Service Recognition Program continues whereby staff are recognized for attaining 5-year incremental milestones of service. Launched in 2013, this annual celebration takes place each year as part of the Employee Christmas dinner celebration, most recently in 2014 and 2015.

NLG Employees Give Back

+ Each year, NLG employees ini-tiate an annual Food Drive held during the first three weeks of December. In 2014, a total of $750 in cash was collected, in addition to a large quantity of non-perishable food items. As well, combined with generous contributions of the Gitwinksi-hlkw Salvation Army who again supported our Staff effort, we filled 12 large totes and four smaller hampers for equal dis-tribution amongst the 4 Nisg

-a’a

Villages. In December 2015, NLG staff again raised the bar by collecting a whopping $1000 in cash, plus a large volume of food items. Cash was used to purchase bulk quantity food items and one $20 gift card for

each of the 12 totes that were distributed. A huge success and a huge ‘thank you’ to all who contribute to this annual effort!

+ September 5, 2014, staff wore Teal of every shade in support of National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Day.

+ October 30, 2015, staff donned Orange in recognition of ‘Orange Shirt Day’ in remembrance of Residential School Survivors.

+ February 25, 2015 and February 24, 2016 marked the annual nationally designated days for Anti-Bullying awareness. NLG staff wore pink in support of this national campaign each year. A huge thank you to Lax-g

-alts’ap Village Govern-

ment for continuing support and partnership through this effort, having provided specially designed pink t-shirts for NLG staff over recent years.

+ Each year, NLG employees raise funds for BC Children’s Hospital by participating in ‘Jeans Day!’ For the April 2014 campaign we raised $385 and in April 2015 we raised $515! As of writing this report, plans are underway for the 2016 Jeans Day event, scheduled for April 28.


Cheryl Pelletier, CHRPdirector human resources



Greetings to delegates of the 8th biennial Special Assembly of the Nisg

-a’a Nation from the

Directorate of Communications & Intergovernmental Relations. The mandate of our directorate is derived from the Vision of the Nisg

-a’a Nation, namely:

Wil dip adigwil nidixdidalk-tdim’ g-

an wilhl sgihl ax- y’ookskw sk- ’apdim’

We inspire trust and understanding through effective communication

The Communications team at NLG consists of:

Edward Allen Director of Communications & Intergovernmental Relations

Bobby Clark Communications & Emergency Program Manager

Paul Mercer Communications Officer — Videographer

Marianne Guno Administrative Assistant

Nisg-a’a Vision

The Vision Statement continues to serve as our primary guide in how we serve Nisg

-a’a Lisims Govern-

ment’s communications needs:

In the Spirit of Sayt-K’il’im-G-oot, the Nisg

-a’a Nation is a place where:

+ Our Ayuuk-, language and culture are the foundation of our identity

+ Learning is a way of life

+ We strive for sustainable prosperity and self-reliance

+ We inspire trust and under-standing through effective communication, and

+ Our governance and services evolve to meet our people’s needs

Communications Strategy

Consistent with our vision state-ment, we have developed a commu-nications strategy that illustrates our role in communications primarily in the areas of:

quality of life We strive to support quality of life initiatives by sharing with Nisg

-a’a

citizens information about the activities, services and benefits of Nisg

-a’a Government under

the Nisg-a’a Treaty.

Communications initiatives we undertake to support quality of life initiatives include:

+ Sharing information on the history, culture and governance of the Nisg

-a’a Nation,

+ Sharing information on the operations, programs and services provided by NLG to Nisg

-a’a citizens,

+ Sharing stories about how Nisg

-a’a citizens have improved

their quality of life through their efforts and through the support of Nisg

-a’a Government

+ Provide communications support to departments of NLG and to the extent practicable, to Nisg

-a’a Village Governments

Sim’oogit G-adeel’ip / Edward Allendirector

directorate of commuNicatioNS & iNtergoverNmeNtal relatioNS


and Nisg-a’a Institutions which

seek to improve the quality of life of Nisg

-a’a citizens,

+ Promote awareness of the benefits of Nisg

-a’a Government

under the Nisg-a’a Treaty.

sustainable prosperityThe Nisg

-a’a Nation strives for

sustainable prosperity and self-reliance. In communications we endeavor to support the Government’s sustainable prosperity initiatives and promote awareness about the economic benefits and opportunities available to the Nisg

-a’a Nation as a result

of the Nisg-a’a Treaty and the

Nass Area Strategy by:

+ Sharing information about the historic and current mandate to pursue the Nass Area Strategy and how the Nisg

-a’a

Treaty generated economic opportunity,

+ Sharing information about the activities of Nisg

-a’a Govern-

ment to promote and achieve sustainable prosperity and self-reliance, and how we are preparing for prosperity,

+ Providing information to devel-opers about the opportunities and benefits of working with

the Nisg-a’a Nation, the unique

benefits of certainty, and the capacity we bring to partnerships,

+ Sharing information about Nisg

-a’a benefits agreements

and the resulting economic opportunities available to our people,

+ Sharing stories about how Nisg

-a’a citizens, Nisg

-a’a Village

Governments and Nisg-a’a

Businesses are pursuing and benefiting from opportunities.

sayt-K’il’ im-G- ootPromoting the vision of One Heart, One Path, One Nation is important in having Nisg

-a’a citizens recognize

and identify with Nisg-a’a Govern-

ment. Activities we have undertak-en in respect of this include:

+ Building identification by Nisg-a’a

citizens with Nisg-a’a Govern-

ment and promoting public recognition of the Nisg

-a’a Nation

through brand management,

+ Monitoring, proactively engag-ing and effectively responding to the media by promoting our key messages,

+ Promoting the Nisg-a’a Nation

through various media,

+ Promoting the activities of Nisg

-a’a Government through

presentations, speaking en-gagements and public events,

+ Monitoring and measurement of outreach, and knowledge of and perspectives on Nisg

-a’a

Government under the Nisg-a’a

Treaty,

+ Promoting participation in Nisg

-a’a Government and the

virtues of Nisg-a’a citizenship

particularly among Nisg-a’a

Youth.

nisG- a’a in the neWs + Media monitoring: on a daily

basis we scan national, regional and local news for stories in relation to Nisg

-a’a Nation, or

stories that may be of interest or in relation to the Nisg

-a’a

Nation’s interests economically, politically, socially or otherwise. Such stories are then shared via email with NLG’s Executive Of-ficers and Senior Management.

+ Media Management: the communications department continues its work in the development and distribution of press releases as required by NLG. We also coordinate the response to incoming media inquiries.




1. Nisg-a’a people reach financial milestone with

debt-payback — Globe and Mail — May 2014

2. Nisg-a’a Museum houses repatriated treasures

taken from Nass Valley centuries ago — Globe and Mail — May 2014

3. In pictures: Emily Carr’s spirit returns to BC’s Nass Valley — The Globe and Mail — May 2014

4. Nisg-a’a hereditary chief named to Order of BC —

Terrace Standard — May 2014

5. Nisg-a’a, mining company announce economic

agreement — Terrace Standard — Jun 2014

6. Avanti, Nisg-a’a reach benefits deal for Kitsault

project — Canadian Mining Journal — Jun 2014

7. Nisg-a’a Nation on fast track to Indigenous

Games — Prince George Citizen — Jun 2014

8. Nisg-a’a ink agreements with province for tax

money — Terrace Standard — Jul 2014

9. Nisg-a’a Nation signs agreements with province

reinforcing self-government — Business in Vancouver — Jul 2014

10. BC approves $5.3-billion copper-gold KSM mine — The Globe and Mail — Jul 2014

11. Gitmax-mak-’ay Nisg-a’a Society launching

commercial smokehouse in Prince Rupert — Northern View — Nov 2014

12. Nisg-a’a Nation agree to pipeline deal for LNG

with BC — Globe and Mail — Nov 2014

13. Nass band ‘supergroup’ to play in Grey Cup parade — Terrace Standard - Nov 2014

14. Nisg-a’a push back against pipeline plan —

Terrace Standard — December 2014

15. Nisg-a’a get on board with LNG industry —

Business in Vancouver — December 2014

16. Nisg-a’a sign another benefits deal in north-

western BC — Terrace Standard — Apr 2015

17. Brucejack Mine receives environmental approval — Smithers Interior News — Apr 2015

18. Pretium, Nisg-a’a Nation sign cooperation

and benefits deal for Brucejack project — Canadian Mining Journal — April 2015

19. UBC student writes 52,438 word architecture dissertation with no punctuation — not everyone loved it — National Post — May 2015

20. Artist Norman Tait’s work showing at Nisg-a’a

Museum — Terrace Standard — May 2015

21. First Nations’ economic clout the result of decades of court decisions — Vancouver Sun — May 2015

22. First Nations staking their claims in the BC economy — Vancouver Sun — May 2015

23. ‘Salvation Fish’ that sustained Native people now needs saving — National Geographic — Jul 2015

24. Canadian mine wins approval without raising fears in Alaska — Alaska Dispatch News — Aug 2015

25. Staycation: Travelling the Nass Valley — CFTK TV — Aug 2015

26. Stewart port terminal owner takes $70-million gamble that business will follow — Vancouver Sun — Sept 2015

27. Energy companies still keen on BC LNG — Business in Vancouver — Oct 2015

28. Nisg-a’a sign water power deal —

Terrace Standard — Oct 2015

29. Nisg-a’a sign deal for hydroelectric project —


30. Nisg-a’a to benefit from gold mine taxation —


31. Nisg-a’a receive 2.1 million for training —

Northern View — Oct 2015

32. Northwestern First Nations job skills boosted — Terrace Standard Oct 2015

33. The Nisg-a’a self-government agreement of

1998 set off a firestorm of controversy. Seventeen years later — how are they doing? — Frontier Centre for Public Policy — Nov 2015

34. Northwestern BC fibre optics system up and running — Terrace Standard — Jan 2016

35. First Nations ring in lunar new year with Hoobiyee celebration — CBC News — Feb 2016

36. Melanie Mark breaks barriers as BC’s first female MLA from a First Nation — The Globe and Mail — Feb 2016

37. Modern day treaties fundamentally reshaping Canada for the better — CBC News — February 2016

38. Strength is focus of Hoobiyee 2016 in New Aiyansh — Terrace Standard — Feb 2016

nisG- a’a in the neWs


General Communication Responsibilities

Our primary daily functions in communications include:

+ Publications: the communica-tions department coordinates the development of NLG publica-tions. More recently we have un-dertaken the desktop publishing of our monthly NLG Newsletter in-house. We also continue working with other departments within NLG for the development of informational pamphlets and brochures. In carrying out this work, we ensure all NLG-related publications are within NLG’s brand guide.

+ Video Production: our Videogra-pher continues his work in the development of informational videos with and for NLG de-partments. As you’ve seen this week, Paul produced a number of short informational videos introducing NLG departments and the work that they do for the Nisg

-a’a Nation.

+ Public Events: We serve in various capacities in support of event coordination for NLG. For examples, the Communications team is the primary event coor-dinator that oversees planning and coordination for the biennial Special Assemblies. We have supported public events such as the press confer-ence respecting the announce-ment of the signing of the PRGT Benefits Agreement, press conferences at the passage of Treaty amendment legislation at the BC legislature, and a joint

press conference with Minister Rustad respecting BC’s $2.1 million dollar announcement for NEST in Terrace. We have also offered our ser-vices in videography, webcast, photography, MC-ing, etc. to various nation events such as Hoobiyee, the Nisg

-a’a Nation

Education Conference (May 2015); Museum Arts Festival (May 2014 & 2015); BC AFN (March 2016).

+ Indigenous Groups visiting NLG: from time to time we have In-digenous groups that wish to ob-serve Nisg

-a’a Government. Most

recently we had a delegation from the In-SHUCK-ch Nation observe Wilp Si’ayuuk-hl Nisg

-a’a

(WSN) in March 2015. They also met with Executive Officers and NLG senior management.

In the reporting period, video footage was captured in 38 events, some of which were subsequently developed in to video productions, as follows:

1. Lock, Stock & Barrel

2. Team BC 2014

3. Special Assembly 2014

4. Honouring Women

5. NESS Back to School March

6. NLG Korea Trip 2014

7. Nisg-a’a Day 2014

8. Nisg-a’a Business Development

Fund film for conference

9. Book Release: The Dreamer

10. NVHA AGM

11. Province of BC Signing Ceremony with NLG

12. NEST 360 Conference

13. Majag-aleehl Nisg

-a’a

Vancouver Parade

14. Museum: Reviving the Spirit Within

15. Nisg-a’a Education Conference

16. Unity Day

17. NESS Youth & Elder Gathering workshops

18. 50th Anniversary of Prince Rupert Nisg

-a’a Urban Local

19. Hoobiyee 2015

20. Family Wellness Conference

21. Gitlax-t’aamiks Aboriginal Day Parade

22. Kicks for Kids Soccer — 2015

23. 2015 Nisg-a’a Museum

Arts Festival

24. Nisg-a’a Youth River Rafting

25. Nisg-a’a Canoe Journey 2015

26. Nisg-a’a Fisheries ocean

and river capture

27. Nisg-a’a Museum

promotional film

28. Ventriloquist film

29. Nisg-a’a Lands film

30. 13th BC AFN Special Chief’s Assembly

31. Elders in a Digital World film

32. Enrolment & Eligibility promotional film

33. NCFS advertisement film

34. Bert Mercer Economic Development film

35. Nisg-a’a Fire Fighter’s

competition

36. Nisg-a’a Special Assembly

2016 Invitational film

37. Nisg-a’a Special Assembly

livestream

38. NEST Promotional film




Intergovernmental Relations

We continued our responsibilities in respect of inter-governmental relations which includes:

+ Lobby of Federal Government + Land Claims Agreement

Coalition Support + Implementation Committee

In 2015 and 2016 we carried out our lobbying activities to contact federal officials, where possible Ministers, and arrange meetings to support the resolution of Treaty implementation issues that arise from time to time with Canada and BC. December of 2015 was a partic-ularly important year in that it rep-resented an opportunity to meet with Prime Minister Trudeau’s new government, and included meet-ings with the following:

+ Minister of Natural Resources + Minister of Transport + Minister of Fisheries

and Oceans + Parliamentary Secretary

of Finance + Parliamentary Secretary

of Environment + Director General, Canadian

Museum of History + Indigenous Affairs critic

for the NDP

The Land Claims Agreement Coalitions (LCAC) made signifi-cant progress this past year. The objective of the LCAC, of which we are a member, is to Lobby the federal government to put in place a federal Implementation Policy which will support the full implementation of modern day treaties, such as our Nisg

-a’a Treaty.

In 2015, the federal government took a significant step in the right direction with the announcement of the Cabinet Directive on federal approach to Implementation of modern treaties. For the first time, the federal government acknowl-edged that modern day treaties have important implications for the federal system and agreed to implement several mechanisms to increase compliance with the re-quirements of modern day treaties. While it falls short of the compre-hensive federal policy which the LCAC continues to seek, it provides us with a number of forums and mechanisms which we can use to address some current treaty imple-mentation issues with more senior levels within the federal system. We can also use these forums to continue to press for our desired federal Implementation Policy.

We continued to support the Tri-partite Implementation Committee which is a forum for addressing Nisg

-a’a Treaty Implementation

Issues with Canada and BC.

Emergency Preparedness

The Nisg-

a’a Emergency Program Act (the “Act”) prescribes the requirements for emergency pre-paredness initiatives within Nisg

-a’a

Lands and Nisg-a’a Village Lands.

Among the many requirements of the Act is the requirement for the appointment of Emergency Coordinators for Nisg

-a’a Lisims

Government and each Nisg-a’a

Village Government. In 2015, NLG’s Emergency Coordinator Bobby Clark worked with each Nisg

-a’a Village

Government to ensure the appoint-ment of Nisg

-a’a Village Emergency

Coordinators for each Nisg-a’a

Village. They are:

+ Sherry Wright, Gitlax-t’aamiks + Phyllis Adams, Gitwinksihlkw + Crystal Bright, Lax-g

-alts’ap

+ Clint Barton, Ging-olx

The Emergency Coordinators serve key roles in ensuring emergency management personnel within their respective organizations are kept apprised of emergency initia-tives — namely timely response in the event of an emergency.

The Act also prescribes key re-quirements in the areas of 1) the adoption of emergency plans, 2) emergency management training and, 3) promotional of personal


and household preparedness for Nass Valley residents.

emerGency plans The current Nisg

-a’a Emergency

Management Plan was adopted by the NLG Executive in February 2012. Industry standard requires that plans be updated every 3-5 years, therefore in the 2016-2017 fiscal year, the Nisg

-a’a Emergency

Preparedness Committee (NEPC) will research, develop and finalize the adoption of a new Nisg

-a’a Na-

tion Emergency Management Plan that will apply to Nisg

-a’a Lands

and Nisg-a’a Village Lands.

A new Nisg-a’a Nation Emergency

Management Plan is timely given the thorough review of the ef-fectiveness and efficiency of the current British Columbia Emergency Response Management System (“BCERMS”). Following the review, Emergency Management BC has an-nounced the province-wide transition to the newer model of British Colum-bia Emergency Management System which is all encompassing of the four aspects of emergency management, including: mitigation; preparedness; response and recovery.

traininG The Nisg


emergency program continues to support NLG, Nisg

-a’a Village and

Nisg-a’a Institution emergency

personnel participation in regional emergency management training provided by Emergency Manage-ment BC by providing reimburse-ments for mileage expenses to get to and from training sessions in the northwest. These training opportunities allow individuals to advance their capacity in emergen-cy management and network with other trainees from other north-west communities.

In January 2016, NLG partnered with the Justice Institute of BC to provide Emergency Operations Centre (“EOC”) Essentials (2 days) and EOC Applied Training (1 day). 25 participants from NLG, Nisg

-a’a

Village and Nisg-a’a Valley Health

Authority successfully completed the two courses. EOC Essentials is the pre-requisite for all further advanced training.

public education NLG continues to promote person-al and household preparedness

initiatives throughout the year through newsletter and website posts (power outages, highway conditions, weather advisories); participation in annual educational initiatives such as the Great British Columbia Shake Out earthquake drill that takes place province-wide in October of each year.

Nisg-a’a Foundation

There was limited activity in respect of the Nisg

-a’a Foundation

due to legislative changes by Canada. Canada has replaced the Canada Corporations Act which will require the foundation to re-incorporate and re-acquire charitable status. We have identified a budget for these activities for the upcoming year.


Sim’oogit G-adeel’ip / Edward Allendirector communications & interGovernmental relations


With thanKs

Nisg-a’a Lisims Government would like to thank the following for their contributions

towards the 2016 Special Assembly:

Nisg-a’a Elementary Secondary School Students

Melanie Mark, MLA Vancouver-Mt. Pleasant

John Dunn, Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Ltd.

Nisg-a’a Pacific Ventures LP — Lisims Communications

Nisg-a’a Clergy

Wilp Si’ayuuk-hl Nisg-a’a

Council of Elders

Nisg-a’a Lisims Government would also like to thank the Nisg

-a’a Village of Gitlax-t’aamiks,

all participating elected members, staff, and volunteers who gave graciously and those who donated their time.

Most importantly, we thank those Nisg-a’a citizens that took the time to participate in

the 2016 Special Assembly of the Nisg-a’a Nation!

T’ooyak-sim’ n’ isim’

t 250 633 3000 / f 250 633 2367 / tf 1 866 633 0888PO Box 231 / 2000 Lisims Dr / New Aiyansh BC / Canada V0J 1A0

nisGaanation.ca

Nisg-a’a Lisims Government

www.nisgaanation.ca


www.nisgaanation.ca

Date post:	21-May-2018
Category:	Documents
Upload:	truongxuyen
View:	215 times
Download:	0 times

Special Assembly of the Nisga’a Nation Special Assemblly... · ’shl hlaa jag- am-ak-hlgwit guun...

Documents