From: on behalf of Panel Registry Subject: FW: TNG registration of ...

obligated
to finance these repairs in the event of an emergency or in the event of a health risk yet
this
does not always happen quickly.
6.6. Energy Supply
Comparatively speaking the people of the XGCA are relatively small energy consumers and are
relatively diversified in their use of energy. All of the XGCA, except for Tatla Lake are off the BC
Hydro electrical grid. The nearest BCHydro line is either Tatla Lake or Lee’s Corner just passed the
north east boundary of the XGCA. The entire area is also unserviced by natural gas but residents
and operators can and do have propane and diesel delivered regularly. To provide power and heat
for all those off the grid, a combination of diesel generator, propane, solar, wind and/or firewood
are employed. Tsuniah Lodge also has access to hydro from its own micro‐hydro system. The most
common strategy for generating power in the XGCA is to use diesel, gas or propane generators. The
most common strategy for generating heat is still wood fire stoves, furnaces or fireplaces. There
are a number of solar/propane hybrid systems set up to serve a number of housing clusters in the
Nemiah Valley. Some individual houses also have their own solar systems. There is also some
exploration in the community concerning alternative energy sources including wind, mini‐hydro,
linking to the BCHydro grid, and bio‐fuel. At the moment, the most feasible approach seems to
entail
a mini‐hydro power station on Klokon Creek (above the Band office), which would have the
capacity to power (not heat) the whole Nemiah Valley and more80. Climate change may affect Xeni Gwet’in energy systems in a number of ways. Firstly, wild fires
induced by drier summers may put some of the existing power and heating systems at risk but
because of the decentralized distribution of these systems it is unlikely that all systems would be
affected. Secondly, drier summers may limit the capacity of the proposed new mini‐hydro project if
significant draw downs occur because of evapo‐transpiration and low rates of replenishment. On
the
positive side, milder winters are likely to result in lower heating requirements for public
buildings
and households.
6.7. Livelihood
The Xeni Gwet’in sustains their livelihoods in a mix of ways. The most predominant means is
through public sector transfers (mainly federal), in the form of Band government employment, BC
Parks employment, social assistance, unemployment insurance, training subsidies or social
security. The second most common means of support is by working outside of the XGCA, either in
the service sector or in the resource sector (forestry and mining), on a seasonal basis. And the third
means of support is by working in the XGCA tourism sector (B&B operation or guiding for
wilderness resorts) or in the ranching sector (cow‐calf operations). There is a significant tourism
sector in the XGCA, including 11 resorts, 3 B&Bs, 3 guide‐outfitters, and 4 boat/raft companies but
few of the Xeni Gwet’in community are directly involved in it as yet. There are significant forest,
wildlife, mineral and fishery resources in the region but the Xeni Gwet’in have yet to develop them
except for subsistence purposes 81. There may even by viable wind energy to exploit and sell into
the grid at the north end of the territory. There are plans to do more with these resources and
80 Feasibility/predesign of the mini‐hydro project is complete; now awaiting decision from Xeni Gwet’in Council as to
whether or not they wish to pursue the project. Funding is somewhat dependent on INAC and BC Hydro. Chief Marilyn
wants to have a referendum on whether Xeni Gwet’in should partner with BC Hydro.
81 The Prosperity Mine at a copper/gold mine that is being proposed for the Fish Lake area in the XGCA. However, this
project is opposed by the Xeni Gwet’in and most of the Tsilqot’in Nation.
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