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Welcome to Tse Keh Nay online. Amazay Lake. (Click on image for a larger version.)
Since Time Immemorial, we, the Tse Keh Nay have occupied our traditional territories in what is now called northern British Columbia. We have in no way surrendered or relinquished our title and rights to our territories. Nor have we signed any agreement that relinquishes our stewardship of the land and its watersheds. Therefore, we are still the true title-holders and stewards of the land. During land claims negotiations with the British Columbia and Canada - the Crown - through the B.C. treaty process, our lands are in essence 'land in dispute'; thus, legally leaving the issue open for negotiations to the satisfaction of both parties, who will have to live with any agreement reached for generations to come. While in dispute, a meaningful relationship must be established between ourselves and the Crown in order to form a true partnership and and co-involvement in the management of the land and its resources. A Meaningful Relationship A meaningful relationship must begin addressing the implications of Crown infringements on the Tse Keh Nay's title and rights. Infringement is when the Crown and Industry interfere with wildlife, including loss of habitat. Infringement is when we lose game harvesting, food, and medicinal gathering areas. Infringement is when there is loss of fish and fish habitat. Infringement is when there is loss of use of the land and the resources we rely upon. Most importantly, infringement is when there is a loss of intangible resources - sacred and spiritual values and places that provide knowledge, history and meaning to us. To create a meaningful relationship, the Crown must enter into a full partnership with the Tse Keh Nay in order to address the management of land and resources. Currently, this is not happening. The Crown is illegally extracting resources from our land and excluding the other legal owner from participating in the management of those lands and resources. We think the Crown's behaviour is wrong. It exhibits an impoverished attitude toward us and it is inconsistent with the Crown's own laws. A meaningful relationship must consider the Tse Keh Nay's role in regards to environmental protection and management of fish, wildlife, lands, waters and other resources. In doing so, the Tse Keh Nay will contribute our own laws and principles to joint land-use planning. Laws and Principles The Tse Keh Nay's laws and principles hold the land and water sacred and spiritual. Management of these resources must consider these aspects and accordingly shape the design of land use plans. In our law, all living things have a right to healthy and worry free environment that will ensure their continued existence and sustainability. The meaningful relationship must therefore include the Crown's justification of the infringement of these laws and principles. The matter of the 'land in dispute' must be addressed and reconciled in a true and meaningful way that will make the Tse Keh Nay a true partner in the management of our ancestral lands and resources. One of the most important resources that must be addressed and respected is 'intangible resources'. This deals with our spirituality and the way we hold the land sacred. Signed, Tse Keh Nay Chiefs: Chief John Allen French, Takla First Nation Grand Chief Gordon Pierre, Tsay Keh Dene Chief Johnny Pierre, Tsay Keh Dene Chief Donny Van Somer, Kwadacha First Nation
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