Haisla Nation Council and District of Kitimat

5-year Joint Strategic Plan  

Following CEDI workshop 1, in October 2022, elected officials, staff and subject experts explored six broad discussion groups with the following broad themes: land use and marine use planning, tourism, capacity development and employment, food security, museum/shared facility, inclusive cultural events and initiatives and cultural healing and health. At workshop 2, the partnership discussed nine collaborative community economic development initiatives in the context of creating a sub-committee to carry the work forward. Four sub-committees were ultimately established and the CEDI team facilitated strategic planning sessions to identify achievable actions. From there the group identified the need for a strategic plan. Supported by council resolution, Haisla Nation Council and District of Kitimat approved their 5-year Joint Strategic Plan including vision, shared guiding principles, six objectives and corresponding actions. 

Following the adoption of the 5-year Joint Strategic Plan, the CEDI team supported the partnership to restructure the Working Committees and to formalize these through terms of reference and annual work plans. The Working Committees report back to the Working Group on a quarterly basis. These Working Committees are as follows: capacity development and employment, economic development, communications, programming and social development, and land use and planning. The communities also formally collaborate on emergency services, and the Fire Chiefs already have a positive working relationship so there wasn’t any need for a committee.  

The CEDI grant was used for the Nisga’a Museum Tour, in design of a new collaborative museum and for trail/active transportation signage.  

Post-CEDI participation the communities restructured their Working Group to include two co-chairs, one representative from each community, and senior administrative staff and departmental leads. This group will meet quarterly. As part of those quarterly meetings, the Working Committees will provide an update on their annual work plan and progress to date; they meet monthly or bi-monthly as needed. 

New Indigenous Relations Manager Position at District of Kitimat 

District of Kitimat created a new Indigenous Relations Manager position and hired a Haisla Nation member to fill this role. This role was asked to co-chair the Working Group post CEDI participation and is responsible to guide the ongoing collaboration between Haisla Nation Council and District of Kitimat. This role is the first of its kind in a local government in Northwestern BC.