Lands, Capital Projects & Public Works Report
Lands
- Working with Lands Authority on developing bylaws, these include:
- Zoning
- Animal and Dogs
- Building Permits
- Access permits
- Developing emergency management plan
- Working on an Addition to Reserve for the Canfor Lands on Southside of IR#2
- This will allow for greater economic development on reserve
Capital Projects
- Water main tie-ins and sewer force-main are installed
- Roads are ready for paving in mid-August
- New community sewer stubs are installed
- Awaiting funding for the lagoon, by this point next year the whole northside community will be tied into the system
- Bridge feasibility study completed, awaiting further input from community on specific location of the bridge
- This will connect both north- and south-sides of IR#2
- This will allow for fire service to be extended from the Shell-Glen Fire Hall to the Northside as well
- This will also allow for better internet service for the South side
- Telus Purefibre © upgrades are to be installed on northside with in the next few months, this will greatly increase the internet speeds for homes and offices on the Northside
Public Works
- Public works has been busy with completing the renovations to the new building on northside, this will give an additional 5 office spaces for administration
- Water system servicing and improvements are underway
- The water on both sides has been effectively softened and chlorinated and is fully safe for human consumption
- Spring clean-up has been closed and the over-sized garbage bins have been removed
- Firewood preparation for the winter months should be beginning shortly
- Speed bumps have been installed on south side to prevent excess speed through the community.
If you are seeking any further information about Lands, Capital Projects or Public Works initiatives or projects please do not hesitate to contact Machel Thomas, Lands Manager either via email at landsmanager@lheidli.ca or via phone at 250-562-0847 ext 101.
Lands Department Staff
Position Open - Lands Manager
Greetings to all Lheidli T’enneh members. My name is Machel Thomas the new Band Lands Manager. My qualifications are in land surveying and land management. I have previously worked with First Nation groups in the Northwest Territories. It is my hope to develop a competent and efficient Lands Department to help the Land Authority exercise responsible governance over Lheidli T’enneh reserve lands, all the while supporting the overall goals and vision of the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation
Phone: 250-562-0847 ext. 101| E-mail
Deryl Seymour - Lands & Communications Clerk/Tourism Coordinator
I have lived on reserve for 30+ years and worked with Lheidli T’enneh since I was sixteen years old. I have been in a long term relationship with my significant other, Irvin Gagnon for 30 years. I have to kids Samantha and Nathan who are a great asset to society. During the years I have worked on the Traditional Use Study in 1989. Also with the treaty team in 2007 and 2016 as the Enrolment and Eligibility Coordinator. I am a ceritified Water operator for Small Waters Systems and the Small Wastewater System since 2016. Since then I have taken on managing Social Media, Newsletter and Lheidli’s Website.
Phone: 250-963-8451 ext 2007 | E-mail
Strategic Plan
The Lheidli T’enneh Lands Department Strategic Plan: 2009 to 2012 was developed by staff and guided by the vision and direction of the Lands Authority, Chief & Council and most importantly the Community members. There are 12 key focus areas that stem from indentified responsibilities under the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management and the Lheidli T’enneh Land Code.
The priorities were identified through several activities and documents. These activities and documents include: The Lheidli T’enneh Land Code, the Lheidli T’enneh Reserve Land Use Plan, Lands Authority Planning/Visioning sessions and the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management.
The Strategic Plan will be reviewed and updated annually by department staff. The plan will then be presented to the Lands Authority for their review, comments and recommendations. Only after the Lands Authority has given the plan endorsement will it go to Chief & Council for final approval and implementation.
Environmental Management Framework
An Environmental Management Framework (EMF) document was completed by the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation in 2007 to address environmental management issues highlighted by band members during environmental task committee meetings and from responses to a questionnaire distributed in the community asking for feedback on environmental issues on reserve.
Milestones
2019
- Clay Pountney is elected Chief
- Dolleen Logan, Clarence John, Joshua Seymour, and Helen Buzas are elected council.
- Melody Buzas, Phyllis Seymour, and Elissa Gagnon are elected to the Lands Authority.
- Lheidli T'enneh announces that they are suing Enbridge.
- Chief and Council election
- Deryl Seymour hired for the Webpage management.
2018
- Pipeline eruption on the Northside of the reserve.
- Southside of the reserve roads are paved.
- 25 years of negotiations and two votes Lheidli T'enneh says no, once again, to Treaty.
2017
- On June 4, Tano Fuels opens for business.
- Administration parking lot is paved.
2016
- Deryl Seymour hired to update the webpage and as the Enrolment and Eligiblitlity Coordinator.
2015
- Lheidli T'enneh host the 2015 Winter Games.
2010
- Step 2 of EMA Process was completed, which includes a suggested legislative framework.
- Nicole Wiltermuth was hired and is completing training in New Media Communications and Design program at CNC.
- Funding received through the Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program (RInC) to build a new playground and recreational court on the Northside.
- Prince George Community Forest Agreement MOU signed between Lheidli T'enneh, the City of Prince George and the Regional District.
2009
- Step 2 of EMA Process was initiated.
- Comprehensive Community Planning was initiated.
- Amendments to the Lheidli T'enneh Land Code were ratified by the community.
- Amendments to the Matrimonial Real Property Law were ratified by the community.
- Lands & Natural Resources Strategic Plan was developed and formally endorsed by Chief & Council through a Lands Resolution.
2008
- Step 1 of Environmental Management Agreement process was completed and prepartation for Step 2 of the EMA Process began.
2007
- Phase II and Phase III Environmental Site Assessments were completed.
- A final draft Environmental Management Framework was completed.
- Patricia Wight became Lands Manager and Ed Chanter became Capital Projects Specialist.
2006
- Matrimonial Real Property Law Implemenation Strategy was completed.
- Lands Manager Trainee Patricia Wight was hired.
2005
- Lheidli T'enneh Land Use Plan was successfully ratified by community members.
- Work on the Matrimonial Real Property Implementation strategy began.
2004
- Lisa Krebs, Land Use Planner and Ed Chanter, Lands Manager were hired.
- Work on Lheidli T'enneh Land Use Plan began.
2003
- Amendments to Lheidli T'enneh Land Code were successfully approved by way of community referendum.
2000
- Lheidli T'enneh becomes the first BC First Nation to successfully ratify their Land Code and Individual Transfer Agreement by community referendum.
1999
- Bill C-49 First Nation Land Management Act was finally enacted and given royal assent.
1998
- Bill C-49 First Nation Land Management Act was re-introduced in Parliament.
1996
- Lheidli T'enneh becomes a signatory to the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management.