| Beecher Bay First Nation

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Community Profile
Community Profile
Last Updated September 8, 2024
  • Name: Beecher Bay (ISC Code: 640)
  • Former Names:
  • Band Style:
  • Cultural Area:
  • Indigenous Language:
  • Number of Registered Members: 274
Click below for more information about Beecher Bay:
Governance

Band Council

  • GOVERNANCE TYPE:
  • TERM EXPIRES: 10/08/2027
  • CHIEF: RUSS CHIPPS
  • NUMBER OF COUNCIL MEMBERS: 3

Contact Information

Laws, Bylaws, and Codes

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Intergovernmental Agreements

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Lands and Traditional Territory

Reserves

  • ISC Code: 6788
    BECHER BAY 2
    95.1 Hectares
    METCHOSIN DIST. SEC. 64, ON EAST SHORE OF BECHER BAY, SOUTHERN TIP OF VANCOUVER ISLAND
    [48.3230265, -123.5927639]
  • ISC Code: 6790
    FRASER ISLAND 6
    5.7 Hectares
    METCHOSIN DISTRICT, AN ISLAND IN BECHER BAY, SOUTHWEST TIP OF VANCOUVER ISLAND
    [48.3277508, -123.6071272]
  • ISC Code: 6791
    VILLAGE ISLAND 7
    1.2 Hectares
    METCHOSIN DISTRICT, 3 ISLANDS IN BECHER BAY, SOUTHWEST TIP OF VANCOUVER ISLAND.
    [48.3250495, -123.5996457]
  • ISC Code: 6789
    LAMB ISLAND 5
    0.2 Hectares
    METCHOSIN DISTRICT, ON LAMB ISLAND IN BECHER BAY, SOUTHWEST POINT OF VANCOUVER ISLAND
    [48.3303007, -123.6209072]
  • ISC Code: 6793
    LONG NECK ISLAND 9
    1.6 Hectares
    METCHOSIN DISTRICT LARGE BEDFORD ISLAND IN BECHER BAY SOUTHWEST TIP OF VANCOUVER ISLAND
    [48.3154505, -123.600284]
  • ISC Code: 6794
    TWIN ISLAND 10
    0.4 Hectares
    METCHOSIN DISTRICT, ON ISLAND AT N. ENTRANCE TO PARRY BAY OPPOSITE SEC. 1, SOUTH COAST OF VANCOUVER ISLAND
    [48.379539, -123.5056448]
  • ISC Code: 6792
    WHALE ISLAND 8
    0.8 Hectares
    METCHOSIN DISTRICT, WEST BEDFORD ISLAND, ENTRANCE TO BECHER BAY, SOUTHWEST TIP OF VANCOUVER ISLAND
    [48.3163787, -123.6070687]
  • ISC Code: 6787
    BECHER BAY 1
    202.7 Hectares
    METCHOSIN DIST. SEC. 45,46 AND PT OF 49, ON NORTH SHORE OF BECHER BAY, SOUTHERN TIP OF VANCOUVER ISLAND
    [48.3411787, -123.5972443]

Traditional Territory

  • Katzie Official Traditional Territory Map [pdf]
  • Interactive Map
  • The Beecher Bay 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 Beecher Bay 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

Band Submissions

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Consultation Reports

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Band Business Interests

Band Owned Corporations

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Court Records

Downloadable Court Decisions

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Active Court Cases

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Media Reports

Media Reports

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Academic Research

Academic Research

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