| Tsawout First Nation

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Community Profile
Community Profile
Last Updated September 8, 2024
  • Name: Tsawout First Nation (ISC Code: 654)
  • Former Names:
  • Band Style:
  • Cultural Area:
  • Indigenous Language:
  • Number of Registered Members: 1016
Click below for more information about Tsawout First Nation:
Governance

Band Council

  • GOVERNANCE TYPE:
  • TERM EXPIRES: 07/05/2025
  • CHIEF: ABRAHAM PELKEY
  • NUMBER OF COUNCIL MEMBERS: 9

Contact Information

  • BAND WEBSITE: http://www.tsawout.com/
  • PHONE NUMBER: (250) 652-9101
  • FAX NUMBER: (250) 652-9114
  • ADDRESS: 7728 TETAYUT ROAD, SAANICHTON, BC
  • EMAILS:
    • Councillor SAMANTHA ETZEL:
    • Councillor GEORGE LEO HORNE:
    • Councillor STANLEY SAM:
    • Councillor HARVEY UNDERWOOD:
    • Councillor JOHN WILSON:
    • Councillor BLAKE JOSEPH:
    • Chief ABRAHAM PELKEY:
    • Councillor JOHN SR ETZEL:
    • Councillor DONALD WILIAMS:
    • 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: 6835
    SATURNA ISLAND 7
    145.7 Hectares
    COWICHAN DIST, E1/2 SEC 12, AND W1/2 SEC 13 ON EASTERLY POINT OF SATURNA ISLAND SOUTH ENTRANCE TO STRAIT OF GEORGIA
    [48.7817267, -123.0916397]
  • ISC Code: 6837
    BARE ISLAND 9
    10.5 Hectares
    COWICHAN DISTRICT, THE WHOLE OF MANDARTE ISLAND AT THE HEAD OF HARO STRAIT
    [48.6335173, -123.2870989]
  • ISC Code: 6838
    GOLDSTREAM 13
    8.9 Hectares
    GOLDSTREAM AND HIGHLAND DISTRICTS, AT SOUTH END OF FINLAYSON ARM AND MOUTH OF THE GOLDSTREAM RIVER
    [48.4854357, -123.5460598]
  • ISC Code: 6836
    PENDER ISLAND 8
    3.2 Hectares
    COWICHAN DISTRICT ON HAY POINT WEST SIDE OF SOUTH PENDER ISLAND
    [48.744824, -123.2284178]
  • ISC Code: 6833
    FULFORD HARBOUR 5
    17.4 Hectares
    COWICHAN DIST. SOUTHERN PORTION OF SEC. 53, SALTSPRING ISLAND STRAIT OF GEORGIA AT ENTRANCE TO FULFORD HARBOUR
    [48.7564848, -123.4273622]
  • ISC Code: 6832
    EAST SAANICH 2
    237.7 Hectares
    S. SAANICH DIST. SECS. 6,7,8, S RGE 4E, SECS 6,7,8,S RGE 5E SECS 6,7,8,S RGE 6,E, S SHORE OF SAANICHTON BAY VANCOUVER IS
    [48.5954827, -123.4167094]

Traditional Territory

  • Katzie Official Traditional Territory Map [pdf]
  • Interactive Map
  • The Tsawout First Nation 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 Tsawout First Nation 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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