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

the ecosystem may experience over the long‐term. However, given the relatively small cut
prescribed, it is likely that it will be easy to meet the annual cut with beetle kill wood alone and/or
adjust to cutting to new areas if wildfires destroy proposed cutting areas. Moreover, since the
forestry
approach is ecosystem‐based, any major changes to the ecosystem would hopefully be
reflected
in the approach to forestry.
Organic/Natural Agriculture
Ranching and haying are the main agricultural activities that the Xeni Gwet’in are engaged in the
XGCA, although the level of activity has declined over the years due to poor returns on cattle sales.
The community is looking to re‐invigorate this commercial activity and perhaps partner with a
meat processing facility in the region to market Xeni branded natural or organic beef products.
They
are also interested in investigating the potential of other commercially viable cultivated
products in the region.
The most immediate risk to ranching and agricultural development in general in the XGCA is fire.
Wildfires could kill, maim or scatter livestock, destroy hay fields and pastures, and damage fencing.
At the same, time fire could also re‐invigorate and expand grasslands for grazing in the medium to
long‐term,
which would benefit ranching in the area. A milder fall and spring may also expand the
growing
season for new crops.
6.8. Governance
The Xeni Gwet’in First Nation government governs its community under the auspices of the Indian
Act and the federal government of Canada. This means that most decision‐making is carried out by
the four members of the Xeni Gwet’in Band Council. 85 All of the community’s planning,
administration and social services, basic health care, housing administration, public works,
economic development, external agency referrals and jurisdictional decision‐making are carried
out by the Band Government with some assistance of the Tsilqot’in National Government on
regional planning issues. Most of the funding for these services comes from the federal
government with small amounts also coming from the provincial government for designated
projects. There are no other revenue sources for the Band government at this time. Although this
funding
covers most of the basic necessities of government, there is very little discretionary funding
to deal with land use management issues in the XGCA.
Governing the community can not be easy. The community is fairly depressed economically, youth
and young families regularly leave the area for work and education resulting in a capacity drain.
The community is aging and the number of children is declining making it difficult to maintain the
K‐9 school. There are constant threats and pressures on the land from outside sources, including
most recently the push to establish the Prosperity Mine at Fish Lake and real estate development at
the north end of Chilko Lake. There is also increasing unpermitted use by ATVs, mountain bikers,
hunters
and sports fishermen and boaters. On top of this, the community is fighting a rights and
title case against the BC government
in the BC Supreme Court.
85 By‐Elections for two council positions recently added a fourth member to Council, which will add capacity to the
current Band Council affairs and decision‐making.
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