Tahltan Central Government Industry Review 2020
Press Release
President’s Message
“In recent months the Province of British Columbia enshrined the United Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) into provincial law. This made history across Canada because BC is the first province and jurisdiction to take this progressive step.”
Chad Norman Day
President, Tahltan Central Governmen
Tahltan Nation,
Welcome to the 4th Annual Tahltan Central Government Industry Review. This resource was created so our members were proactively informed about the activities happening in our homeland each year and to ensure those interested could capitalize on the growing number of employment and contracting opportunities.
In the past year there have been several changes within the TCG that have further empowered the Tahltan Nation. We have grown our team and hired further staff members under the Education & Training Department, Contracts & Business Development, and the Employment Department. There are many resources in place so our people are properly educated, trained and informed to succeed. Please reach out to the TCG and the relevant department(s) to take advantage of the economic development within Tahltan Territory.
In recent months the Province of British Columbia enshrined the United Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) into provincial law. This made history across Canada because BC is the first province and jurisdiction to take this progressive step. UNDRIP has several important provisions that will strengthen the Tahltan Nation, but a consistent theme we have always pursued is that all major impacts to Tahltan Territory must have the consent of our Tahltan people, respect our culture, mitigate the negative impacts on our environment and we must always be meaningfully included in all aspects of any economic development. UNDRIP is now another significant tool for us to utilize as we continue to create our own internal and external processes and/or agreements in order to make decisions, be involved in all activities in our homeland, and hold visitors accountable to Tahltan standards.
Fortunately, the Tahltan Nation has a long history of both working closely with Industry and outside governments, as well as opposing certain companies and industries that do not meet our standards. In recent years, the TCG has developed thorough agreements that all companies must adhere to for communications & engagement, employment & contracts and exploration activities.
For those that resist such agreements and do not respect our internal governance systems and expectations, they will not receive our consent and we will pressure such companies to vacate Tahltan Territory immediately.
In addition, we may take further action through the courts and/or protest; we have proven this several times in the past. For example, last summer when we personally evicted several jade/placer companies from Tahltan Territory and made sure our concerns were communicated publicly with British Columbians, Canadians and others across the world.
Tahltan Territory is over 97,000 square kilometres (the size of Portugal) and about 11% of the Province, so naturally there is plenty of economic development in multiple industries – mineral exploration, mining, forestry, guide outfitting, ecotourism and more. We need to carefully manage such activities and ensure we partner with responsible industries, companies and operators. As the TCG and Tahltan Nation continues to grow capacity and invest in our governments, staff, infrastructure and so forth, we continue to become stronger stewards of our lands and more independent.
TCG’s land use planning initiatives are ongoing and we have continually requested that the Province protect certain areas to ensure their long-term or interim protection from BC’s online staking system. This includes buffer zones around Tahltan communities and areas sensitive to our fish, wildlife and cultural heritage.
For the sensitive areas previously staked and disturbed more recently or in the past, we are working closely with the Province to find suitable solutions. The Klappan Plan is an example of such work that resulted in long-term protection of an area considered sacred to the Tahltan
Tahltan Nation,
Welcome to the 4th Annual Tahltan Central Government Industry Review. This resource was created so our members were proactively informed about the activities happening in our homeland each year and to ensure those interested could capitalize on the growing number of employment and contracting opportunities.
In the past year there have been several changes within the TCG that have further empowered the Tahltan Nation. We have grown our team and hired further staff members under the Education & Training Department, Contracts & Business Development, and the Employment Department. There are many resources in place so our people are properly educated, trained and informed to succeed. Please reach out to the TCG and the relevant department(s) to take advantage of the economic development within Tahltan Territory.
In recent months the Province of British Columbia enshrined the United Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) into provincial law. This made history across Canada because BC is the first province and jurisdiction to take this progressive step. UNDRIP has several important provisions that will strengthen the Tahltan Nation, but a consistent theme we have always pursued is that all major impacts to Tahltan Territory must have the consent of our Tahltan people, respect our culture, mitigate the negative impacts on
our environment and we must always be meaningfully included in all aspects of any economic development. UNDRIP is now another significant tool for us to utilize as we continue to create our own internal and external processes and/or agreements in order to make decisions, be involved in all activities in our homeland, and hold visitors accountable to Tahltan standards.
Fortunately, the Tahltan Nation has a long history of both working closely with Industry and outside governments, as well as opposing certain companies and industries that do not meet our standards. In recent years, the TCG has developed thorough agreements that all companies must adhere to for communications & engagement, employment & contracts and exploration activities.
For those that resist such agreements and do not respect our internal governance systems and expectations, they will not receive our consent and we will pressure such companies to vacate Tahltan Territory immediately.
In addition, we may take further action through the courts and/or protest; we have proven this several times in the past. For example, last summer when we personally evicted several jade/placer companies from Tahltan Territory and made sure our concerns were communicated publicly with British Columbians, Canadians and others across the world.
Tahltan Territory is over 97,000 square kilometres (the size of Portugal) and about 11% of the Province, so naturally there is plenty of economic development in multiple industries – mineral exploration, mining, forestry, guide outfitting, ecotourism and more. We need to carefully manage such activities and ensure we partner with responsible industries, companies and operators. As the TCG and Tahltan Nation continues to grow capacity and invest in our governments, staff, infrastructure and so forth, we continue to become stronger stewards of our lands and more independent. people and others.
The Association of Mineral Exploration Roundup every January (Vancouver), the TCG Job Fair in March (Dease Lake), the newly established 3Nations Job Fair this coming April (Whitehorse), and TCG’s Annual General Assembly in July (Dease Lake), are all important venues that help educate Tahltans about activities impacting our homeland and the economic opportunities throughout Tahltan Territory. We welcome all Tahltan people and our partners to attend such events so we can collectively continue to empower Tahltan people and highlight the ongoing success and growth of the Tahltan Nation. Furthermore, we always encourage Tahltan members to attend our TCG meetings, read our newsletters and stay informed through our other online outlets (TCG website, TCG social media, etc.).
In closing, I want to thank all the Tahltan people and our allies, both past and present, who have played a positive role with improving the Tahltan economy, protecting our environment, and who helped us increase capacity within our communities, governments and across our beloved Tahltan Nation. We have accomplished so much together and I look forward to our continued success into the future.
Mēduh and Nedishchā!
IBF5
