Lax Kw'alaams 2021 Annual Report charts progress on new and old initiatives

Residents of Lax Kw'alaams and those around the community have an opportunity to catch up on some of the developments from the community north of Prince Rupert, with the Band Council releasing their 2021 Annual report this week, a 24 page document which charts many of the developments and initiatives moving forward this year.

Mayor Garry Reece provides for some opening remarks for the report, first noting of the ongoing work on Reconciliation for the Band Council, offering a look at their focus towards the future for the topic.

Council has also been working to bring together the Nine Allied Tribes together, as we are in discussions with the province on Reconciliation, and soon we will continue these discussions with the federal government. 

It crucial to understand this is not a treaty negotiation, and we are not ceding, surrendering, or giving up anything in this process. 

The Nine Allied Tribes will play a major role in the Reconciliation negotiations and decisions along with our membership – Council agreed to renovate the old firehall, and this building will be converted to an office and meeting space for the Nine Allied Tribes.

Mr. Reece also provides a snapshot of some of the current initiatives that the Band Council is addressing, which include updates on the Band Council's discussion on LNG development at Grassy Point and  some cruise industry tourism options that could be ahead for the community.

In June 2020, we met with an energy company proposing LNG Project floating marine terminal facility near Grassy Point to export methanol and liquified natural gas product. This conversation and discussion started with the previous Council, but we were not confident it was going to be viable or successful. 

A tourism cruise line company has shown interest in building a dock in the bay for cruise stops and to promote and support local business and economy. 

As well the Mayor makes note of two areas where they have stepped in to intervene, in order to protect the interests of Lax Kw'alaams members when it comes two a pair of industrial projects in the immediate area.

Also, the Prince Rupert Port Authority is looking to build a new export logistics platform on Ridley Island without consultation or accommodation with Lax Kw’alaams, as they took the position that the expansion would be part of our existing Fairview Agreement. We rejected and disputed this position, and we have told the Port Authority we are prepared to stop the expansion project unless we can be meaningfully consulted and accommodated. 

Pacific Northern Gas Ltd. (“PNG”) has a natural gas line that has been running through our Territory for decades, and PNG is upgrading this line that runs through four of our reserves – three of these reserves we hold jointly with Metlakatla. PNG took the position they did not have to consult or accommodate Lax Kw’alaams. In response, we intervened at the BC Utilities Commission to share evidence about PNG’s failure to consult and accommodate. We were able to resolve this dispute and negotiate an agreement for benefits to Lax Kw’alaams.

The Mayor also outlines some new strategic protocols that the Council has put in place, as well as a change towards their forestry policy and a new partnership towards those goals

We have also implemented a strategic protocol for strategic consultation and accommodation, which enables Lax Kw’alaams leadership, legal counsel, lands department, and business development to strategically cooperate and work together to minimize impacts to Lax Kw’alaams territory, as well as maximize economic benefits and business opportunities for Lax Kw’alaams. 

This year, we have also changed forestry companies, as the previous Council retained a company that was not generating revenue for Lax Kw’alaams. We have partnered with North Pacific Forestry Group Ltd. to help Lax Kw’alaams generate and increase revenue from our tree farm licence. You will hear more about our business and economic development opportunities from our chair and portfolio holder.

Further into the document, Lax Kw'alaams officials make note of some of the recently completed projects in the community which include infrastructure repairs and improvements and purchases.

Updates are also provided on themes such as the development of a new Greenhouse facility and a report on the continued work on housing for Lax Kw'alaams residents from Reg Sampson.

The update also outlines some notes on an agreement with Prince Rupert based CityWest to provide High Speed Internet to the community. A joint initiative with infrastructure owned by Lax Kw'alaams, though no timeline is listed as of yet towards when residents can expect the service to start.

Education also gains some focus in the Annual Report, with the introduction of a New Principal for the Coast Tsimshian Academy, and expansion of the Adult Learning Centre and plans for a New Daycare Centre among some of the themes explored.

All images above are from the 2021 Lax Kw'alaams Annual Report
(click to enlarge)

The Report concludes with a look at Health Services in the community as well as an update on Fisheries initiatives both in harvesting and stock protection.

You cam access the full report here.

More items of note from Lax Kw'alaams can be explored through our archive page