Tsay Keh Dene Band Geographic Location View Regional Map

Tsay Keh Dene Band
(formerly Ingenika Indian Band)

Background

Negotiating status
: Negotiating a comprehensive treaty settlement in the British Columbia Treaty Commission six-stage treaty process.

Negotiating affiliation
: Negotiating independently with Canada and British Columbia. Not affiliated with a tribal council or treaty group.

Location
: Just south of where the Finlay River flows into the north end of Williston Lake. (Three reserves on 201 hectares and two federal land parcels yet to be designated as reserve.)

Number of Band Members: 380 (Source: Registered Indian Population by Sex and Residence December 2006, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada)

Negotiations

The Tsay Keh Dene Band entered the treaty process in May 1994, and is in Stage 4 of the six-stage process, negotiating an agreement in principle.

The parties have been focusing on treaty-related measures designed to build the band's capacity in land and resource management, community programs and economic development. To help determine an eventual land settlement, the parties are also focusing on the Tsay Keh Dene's land needs.

Treaty-related measures agreed to so far include: a land, resources and governance accord; a forest resources accord; environmental monitoring; a land needs analysis; a community program and service delivery study; development of a business plan; protection of land for operating the Pelly Lake lodge; and, participation in land and resource management. Additional funding has been provided for winter maintenance of the road to Tsay Keh Village.

The Tsay Keh Dene are also engaged in negotiations with BC on issues related to the Bennett Dam and Williston Lake Reservoir. The dam and reservoir resulted in the displacement and relocation of the band in 1968. Consequently, BC Hydro representatives sit with negotiators from the B.C. Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation as part of the provincial team negotiating resolutions of the Hydro issues.

Other Activities

In November of 2005, Tsay Keh Dene was one of 30 BC communities that received provincial funding to give homes and businesses access to the internet. NetworkBC, through the First Nations Technology Council and BC Community Connectivity Co-operative, provided the infrastructure grant for this project.

Planned Meetings

As dates are established for open public meetings, they will be publicized through the local media and posted on the B.C. Treaty Commission Website Negotiations Calendar.