| Heiltsuk First Nation

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Community Profile
Community Profile
Last Updated September 8, 2024
  • Name: Heiltsuk (ISC Code: 538)
  • Former Names:
  • Band Style:
  • Cultural Area:
  • Indigenous Language:
  • Number of Registered Members: 2530
Click below for more information about Heiltsuk:
Governance

Band Council

  • GOVERNANCE TYPE:
  • TERM EXPIRES: 08/08/2026
  • CHIEF: MARILYN SLETT
  • NUMBER OF COUNCIL MEMBERS: 12
    • MARILYN SLETT Edit
    • EVANGELINE CLIFTON Edit
    • WILLIAM GLADSTONE, SR. Edit
    • CARRIE HUMCHITT Edit
    • JACQUELYN NADRAZSKY Edit
    • DAWN HALL (WILSON) Edit
    • LOUISA HOUSTY-JONES Edit
    • MARIA MARTIN Edit
    • RYAN PEERS Edit
    • CLARK J. WILSON Edit
    • GEORGE YOUNG SR. Edit
    • EARL NEWMAN, SR. Edit

Contact Information

  • BAND WEBSITE: http://www.heiltsuknation.ca/
  • PHONE NUMBER: (250) 957-2381
  • FAX NUMBER: (250) 957-2544
  • ADDRESS: PO BOX 880, BELLA BELLA, BC
  • EMAILS:
    • Chief MARILYN SLETT:
    • Councillor EVANGELINE CLIFTON:
    • Councillor WILLIAM GLADSTONE, SR.:
    • Councillor CARRIE HUMCHITT:
    • Councillor JACQUELYN NADRAZSKY:
    • Councillor DAWN HALL (WILSON):
    • Councillor LOUISA HOUSTY-JONES:
    • Councillor MARIA MARTIN:
    • Councillor RYAN PEERS:
    • Councillor CLARK J. WILSON:
    • Councillor GEORGE YOUNG SR.:
    • Councillor EARL NEWMAN, SR.:
    • General Band Office:
    • Media Contact:
    • Referrals Contact:

Laws, Bylaws, and Codes

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Intergovernmental Agreements

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Lands and Traditional Territory

Reserves

  • ISC Code: 7873
    KOKYET 1
    74.8 Hectares
    COAST DISTRICT RANGE 3, ON SOUTHWEST TIP OF YEO ISLAND
    [52.2796343, -128.1907389]
  • ISC Code: 9211
    KLUEMT 15
    50.2 Hectares
    15 KM NORTH OF NEW BELLA BELLA
    [nil, nil]
  • ISC Code: 7857
    BELLA BELLA 1
    656.5 Hectares
    COAST DIST. RGE 3, ON EAST SHORE OF CAMPBELL ISLAND
    [52.1586434, -128.15258]
  • ISC Code: 7862
    CLATSE 5
    89.8 Hectares
    COAST DISTRICT, RANGE 3, AT MOUTH OF THE CLATSE RIVER, ROSCOE INLET
    [52.3316191, -127.8391568]
  • ISC Code: 7874
    GRIEF ISLAND 2
    30.4 Hectares
    COAST DISTRICT, RANGE 3, ALL OF GRIEF ISLAND, NEAR SOUTHWEST TIP OF YEO ISLAND
    [52.28106039999999, -128.2095174]
  • ISC Code: 7859
    HOONEES 2
    8.5 Hectares
    COAST DISTRICT, RANGE 3, ON SOUTHERN TIP OF FLORENCE PENINSULA
    [52.3166884, -127.9707336]
  • ISC Code: 7865
    HOWEET 8
    246.9 Hectares
    COAST DISTRICT, RANGE 3 AT MOUTH OF FANNIER CREEK, COOPER INLET NORTH SHORE OF HUNTER ISLAND
    [52.0372464, -128.0631897]
  • ISC Code: 7867
    KAJUSTUS 10
    6.7 Hectares
    COAST DISTRICT, RANGE 3, NORTH SHORE OF DENNEY ISLAND
    [52.15437559999999, -128.0481688]
  • ISC Code: 7864
    KISAMEET 7
    6.3 Hectares
    COAST DISTRICT RANGE 2, ON KISAMEET BAY, SOUTHWEST SHORE OF KING ISLAND
    [51.9636302, -127.8760026]
  • ISC Code: 7866
    KUNSOOT 9
    38.4 Hectares
    COAST DISTRICT RANGE 3, AT MOUTH OF KUNSOOT RIVER, NORTH SHORE OF DENNY ISLAND
    [52.15077549999999, -128.0074301]
  • ISC Code: 7875
    KYARTI 3
    0.5 Hectares
    COAST DISTRICT RANGE 3, A SMALL ISLAND OFF SOUTHWEST SHORE OF YEO ISLAND IN SPILLER CHANNEL
    [52.3552496, -128.11901]
  • ISC Code: 7876
    NEEKAS 4
    4.4 Hectares
    COAST DISTRICT RANGE 3, ON POINT ON NORTH SHORE OF NEEKAS INLET WEST SIDE OF SPILLER CHANNEL
    [52.4735133, -128.1608003]
  • ISC Code: 7861
    NOOTA 4
    6.7 Hectares
    COAST DISTRICT RANGE 3 AT MOUTH OF ROSCOE RIVER NORTH SIDE OF ROSCOE INLET
    [52.4779328, -127.7426247]
  • ISC Code: 7870
    YEO ISLAND 13
    4.8 Hectares
    COAST DISTRICT, RANGE 3, LOT 1373, ON SOUTHEASTERLY SHORE OF YEO ISLAND, FRONTING ON RETURN CHANNEL
    [52.301021, -128.1170515]
  • ISC Code: 7877
    TANKEAH 5
    13.0 Hectares
    COAST DISTRICT, RANGE 3, AT MOUTH OF TANKEAH RIVER, INTO SPILLER CHANEL, EAST SHORE OF DON PENINSULA
    [52.4987471, -128.1643743]
  • ISC Code: 7868
    WERKINELLEK 11
    25.5 Hectares
    COAST DISTRICT, RANGE 2, ON NORTH END OF DUCK ISLAND AT SOUTH END OF QUEENS SOUND
    [51.9212226, -128.4738261]
  • ISC Code: 7869
    YELLERTLEE NO. 12
    65.3 Hectares
    COAST DISTRICT, RANGE 2, SOUTH END OF GOOSE ISLAND, WEST OF QUEENS SOUND
    [43.9840719, -117.6277515]
  • ISC Code: 7871
    POLE ISLAND 14
    0.8 Hectares
    COAST DISTRICT, RANGE 3, LOT 1374, IN GUNBOAT PASSAGE, NORTH OF DENNY ISLAND
    [52.1737134, -128.0937574]
  • ISC Code: 7860
    QUARTCHA 3
    13.0 Hectares
    COAST DISTRICT, RANGE 3, AT MOUTH OF QUARTCHA RIVER, NORTH SHORE OF ROSCOE INLET
    [52.5121707, -127.8416152]
  • ISC Code: 7863
    ELCHO 6
    32.4 Hectares
    COAST DISTRICT RGE. 3, AT MOUTH OF THE ELCHO RIVER, ELCHO HARBOUR, NORTH SIDE OF DEAN CHANNEL
    [52.4014438, -127.5336604]
  • ISC Code: 7872
    ISLAND 14A
    0.2 Hectares
    COAST DISTRICT, RANGE 3, LOT 1375 TWO SMALL ISLANDS IN GUNBOAT PASSAGE ONE MILE NORTH OF BELLA BELLA
    [52.1612991, -128.1213138]
  • ISC Code: 7878
    KOQUI 6
    38.4 Hectares
    COAST DISTRICT, RANGE 3, ON NORTHWEST BPOINT OF DUFFERIN ISLAND, ON SEAFORTH CHANNEL
    [52.23386060000001, -128.3677465]
  • ISC Code: 7858
    TCIMOTF 1A
    6.9 Hectares
    COAST DISTRICT, RANGE 3, ON GRAVE POINT, WEST SHORE OF DENNY ISLAND
    [52.1483442, -128.1336512]

Traditional Territory

  • Katzie Official Traditional Territory Map [pdf]
  • Interactive Map
  • The Heiltsuk First Nation’s traditional territory encompasses significant portions of the Lower Fraser River, Pitt River, and Pitt Lake. The territory extends through modern-day Langley, Mission, Surrey, New Westminster, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, and Richmond, among others.
  • The Heiltsuk people have historically used the land for fishing, hunting, and gathering. Significant fishing sites include the Pitt River and Fraser River for salmon harvesting.
  • Interactive Map of Katzie Traditional Territory: Click here to view a detailed interactive map showing the boundaries and key cultural sites.
  • Historical Land Use: The Katzie people have lived in this region for thousands of years, practicing sustainable resource management and protecting sacred areas such as Pitt Lake and its surrounding wetlands. For more information on Katzie’s historical land use, visit Katzie Traditional Land Use Reports.
  • In addition to key fishing sites, the Katzie historically used the upland forests of Blue Mountain for hunting and gathering. This area remains central to Katzie’s cultural practices today.

Land Claims

  • Specific Claims None
  • BC Treaty Process Participation: The Katzie First Nation is a participant in the British Columbia Treaty Process, which aims to resolve land claims and establish new agreements regarding land, resources, and self-governance.
  • Treaty Negotiation Status: Katzie First Nation is currently in **Stage 4** of the BC Treaty Process, where they are negotiating an Agreement-in-Principle with the governments of British Columbia and Canada. This stage focuses on addressing key issues such as land ownership, resource rights, and governance over traditional territories. You can read more about their progress in the process at the BC Treaty Commission.
  • Negotiation Issues: The Katzie First Nation is negotiating on several issues, including:
    • Self-governance over their lands and resources
    • Fishing rights and management of the **Fraser River** and **Pitt River** ecosystems
    • Forest resource management and protection of sacred sites like **Pitt Lake**
    • Economic development opportunities and rights to traditional lands
  • Katzie Treaty Process Summary: For a full overview of Katzie’s involvement in the BC Treaty Process, visit the Katzie First Nation profile on the BC Treaty Commission website.
  • Timeline of Negotiations: Katzie First Nation has been in negotiations since **Stage 1** of the treaty process in the early 1990s. They have achieved significant milestones, including interim agreements on fisheries and land use, while continuing negotiations toward a final treaty agreement.

Lands Administration

  • Land Code: ✔
  • Land Code Document: PDF
  • Land Use Plan: PDF
  • Land Code Contact: N/A
  • Part of Guardians Program: ✔
  • Guardians Program Notes: N/A
  • Related Documents: Environmental Management Plan [Part 1] [PDF]
Consultations and Referrals

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Band Business Interests

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Court Records

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Active Court Cases

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Media Reports

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Academic Research

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