Welcome to the ‘Namgis First Nation Treaty and Natural Resources Department. We are one of five departments that make up the government of the ‘Namgis First Nation. The other departments are Administration, Health, Education and Community Development.

Our team is made up of eight staff, including a treaty negotiator, a planner, a planning officer, a forester, a cultural resources officer, two aquatic resources managers and a geographic information system (GIS) operator.

What We Do

The Treaty and Natural Resources Department is responsible for a wide variety of tasks related to treaty negotiations, land use planning, natural resources management, cultural resources management, and economic development. Our fundamental goals are:

-To enhance ‘Namgis capacity to sustainably and actively steward natural and cultural resources within our territory;

-To negotiate a just treaty that provides current and future generations of ‘Namgis with rights and benefits required a) to protect and enhance ‘Namgis culture and b) to deliver measures of quality of life that are equal to those enjoyed by other Canadians;

-To negotiate protocols and related agreements that recognize ‘Namgis rights as the basis for building positive working relationships with governments, corporations and other interests who hold jurisdictions within ‘Namgis territory.

Who We Work With

All activities of the Treaty and Natural Resources Department are directed by the elected Council of the ‘Namgis First Nation. Of the nine elected councilors and Chief, five hold portfolios that directly relate to the work of our Department. We regularly present project proposals for Council review, revision and approval. In addition, we regularly seek guidance regarding our activities from hereditary leaders and interested ‘Namgis members who live in locations including Alert Bay, Vancouver, and Victoria.

We also participate in activities organized by a range of other First Nations and related organizations. These include:

-Musgamagw Tsawataineuk Tribal Council, an association of the ‘Namgis, Tsawataineuk and Kwicksutaineuk Ah Kwa’mis First Nations;

-U’mista Cultural Centre, an organization that acts on behalf of all Kwakwaka’wakw communities to protect and enhance Kwakwaka’wakw culture;

-Work is also undertaken with other Kwakwaka’wakw First Nations on a variety of cooperative lobbying, resource management, and economic development initiatives.

Finally, the ‘Namgis maintain close working relationships with agencies of the governments of BC and Canada, with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), with neighbouring local and regional governments, and with corporate interests holding jurisdictions within our territory. Strong working relationships have especially been developed with the Village of Alert Bay (see link to the “Alert Bay Accord”), Mount Waddington Regional District, Canadian Forest Products Ltd. and Orca Sand and Gravel Inc.