News

Job Summary

Reporting to the General Manager, the Capital Project Program Coordinator ensures the overall coordination and administration of all programs and services offered by CSTC, Technical Services Unit (TSU) as per the Memorandum of Understanding between Indigenous Services Canada and CSTC, with the following objectives;

· Provide ongoing technical advice to Member First Nations in support of the capital project management process.

· Provide ongoing Capital Planning Advisory Services.

· Provide assistance to Member First Nations in preparing their First Nations Infrastructure Investment Plans (FNIIP) annual updates.

· Provide assistance to Member First Nations in acquiring effective Municipal Type Services (MTS) from local municipal authorities.

· Assist member First Nations in upgrading fire equipment, specifically, acquisition and assisting in ensuring updated records/reports/equipment are current in their communities.

· Maintain a library of technical information, policies, reports and drawings.

· Provide assistance to Member First Nations in preparing and monitoring Maintenance Management Plans, including planning, performance monitoring, O&M cost tracking and control.

· Follow up with Member First Nations to see who has a Comprehensive Community Plan, who needs one, who needs to update, etc.

· To provide assistance to Member First Nations housing planning/programs.

· To update housing policy template for member FN to utilize and/or FN policies.

· To identify funding sources to pay certified building inspectors.

Qualifications

The position of Capital Project Program Coordinator requires completion of Grade 12, post-secondary education and related experience. The incumbent must possess a range of technical, managerial, and project

experience and experience working with First Nations and/or of First Nations Ancestry is an asset. Strong computer skills, including knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, business English skills, and interpersonal skills are also required.

Conditions of Employment

Must be able to travel a minimal amount.

Must have access to a reliable vehicle and hold a valid driver’s license.

Full-time position, subject to annual funding.

Must obtain and maintain a Criminal Records Check.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the incumbent. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and/or skills required of the incumbent.

Salary: $35-$40/hr based on education and experience.

If you are interested in this position submit a cover letter and resume by

4:30pm November 19, 2023, to:

Carrier Sekani Tribal Council

Attention: Beverly Best, General Manager

Suite 200 1460 6th Ave, Prince George, BC V2L 3N2 Email: generalmanager@cstc.bc.ca

Preference will be given to those of Aboriginal Ancestry per Section 16 of the Canadian Human Rights Act. People of Carrier Sekani are encouraged to apply.

Carrier Sekani Tribal Council (CSTC) provides political and technical support to six First Nations who belong to the CSTC Society. The Tribal Council is an advocate on behalf of its member nations for their interests. The Council also provides technical and professional services to its member nations in the areas of fisheries, education, economic development, community and infrastructure planning, forestry, financial management, and negotiations.

The CSTC is a Non-Profit Organization located in Prince George BC, on the traditional unceded lands of the Lheidli T’enneh, and is seeking a highly motivated individual to fill the position of;

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

Job Summary

The primary purpose of the Executive Assistant position is to provide administrative support to the Board of Directors and the General Manager. The role requires excellent administrative skills and the ability to function efficiently as a support person to the political and administrative personnel of the Tribal Council. The position requires an ability to work with minimum supervision and in an orderly and efficient manner. The incumbent must be proficient in knowledge of Microsoft Office Applications, minute taking, and maintain a high degree of confidentiality. Report writing and business English skills are required, along with excellent interpersonal and team management skills.

Job Responsibilities/ Duties:

•             Coordinates schedule of appointments for General Manager;

•             Provides reception duties and exercises due diligence for walk-in clientele, and phone calls;

 •            Maintains social media accounts and website updates for AGA, job postings and any necessary            amendments;

•             Ensure building security and janitorial are maintained.

•             Prepares correspondence, reports and material presentations;

•             Responsible for ensuring that CSTC and Special Meeting Minutes, Motions, and related                documentation are produced and distributed in an orderly, accurate, and timely fashion;

•             Prepares all levels of briefing notes;

•             Ensures that meeting packages are completed in a timely fashion for advanced distribution to    the Board of Directors (Chiefs);

•             Maintain confidentiality of information and files;

•             Filing and administrative records management;

•             Attends public forums, meetings, etc., as directed;

•             Assists in the coordination of Tribal Council special events (AGA, Special Assembly, etc.);

•             Coordinates travel advances and reconciles expenditures in accordance with the financial               regulations of the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council;

•             Arranges for cheques to be signed and distributes;

•             Provides support/vacation coverage to other Administration staff as required;

•             Other related duties, as requested by the General Manager.

Working Conditions:

Hours of work are to be from 8:30am-4:30pm, Monday to Friday.

Minimal weekend and evening work, but will be given sufficient notice if required. Some travel will be required.

Qualifications

The Executive Administrator position requires post-secondary education in a relevant field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. In addition, knowledge of traditions, values, and language of the Carrier Sekani people is required, along with an understanding and appreciation of relevant local, provincial, and national issues and concerns, as they relate to Aboriginal people.

Must have a valid Class 5 driver’s license.

Wage: $23-$25/hr based on education and experience.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the incumbent. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and/or skills required of the incumbent.

If you are interested in this position submit a cover letter and resume by 4:30 pm November 12, 2023, to:

Carrier Sekani Tribal Council

Attention: Beverly Best, General Manager

Email: GeneralManager@cstc.bc.ca

We thank all applicants for their interest in this position; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Preference will be given to those of Aboriginal Ancestry per Section 16 of the Canadian Human Rights Act. People of Carrier Sekani are encouraged to apply.

Beverly is a community member of Stellat’en First Nation and most recently was the Knowledge Holder – Natsoolyis’ Coordinator, and previously held the positions of Director of Instruction – Indigenous Education SD57, and Manager of Aboriginal Student Engagement at UNBC.

She has completed her Master’s Business Administration, Master’s First Nation Studies, Bachelor of Education, and Bachelor of Arts, First Nations Studies.

Welcome Beverly as she joins the team at Carrier Sekani Tribal Council.

The impacts of the residential school system are ongoing and felt throughout our member nations. This day is set aside to honour survivors, their families and communities.

CSTC will be closed Sept. 30 to give staff and members much needed time to spend with loved ones and to participate in reflection and healing.

If you are in distress and need support, please contact the Indian Residential School Survivors Society 24-hour Crisis Line at 1-800-925-4419.

Stellat’en First Nation, Nadleh Whut’en and Ts’il Kaz Koh jointly developed the app for Android users with funding from the Pathways Forward Agreement, an agreement made between the provincial government and the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council to increase economic opportunities for Carrier Sekani First Nations while addressing decision-making, management and revenue sharing of lands and resources, and healing communities through socio-cultural work.

“Your language is your sense of belonging and identity,” says Eleanor Nooski, Nadleh Whut’en Language and Culture Coordinator. “Once the children start learning, there’s so much pride when the elders see it, and there’s a ripple effect in the whole community.”

The app is called ‘Dakelh nekhunik yats’ulhduk,’ which translates to English to mean ‘we will speak like our ancestors.’ It interfaces users with recorded pronunciations of the words spoken in a regional dialect of Dakelh. Traditional learning through oral history has been easily incorporated into the app.

A previous version of the app was developed strictly for iPhone, but was cost prohibitive for community members who cannot afford Apple products. The new app includes over 900 newly recorded words in a shared dialect between the three nations and is fully owned and copyrighted by the communities.

“Our language was never recorded and never written,” says Stellat’en First Nation Language Assistant Dennis Patrick. “It’s been a generation that’s lost virtually everything, and it’s important to know that when we learn this language, we’re learning about the land and who we are.”

Development of the app began in 2014, when elders and youth stayed in a hotel together to record Dakelh words for things like body parts, animals and phrases. In 2018, the three First Nations began collaboration on building the app for Android.

Collaboration between the three communities was key because the number of fluent speakers in each community varies, with Nadleh Whut’en having such low numbers, developing the app independently would have been very difficult.

Ts’il Kaz Koh Language Program and Culture Coordinator Sherry Tibbetts believes this app is an important part of healing through language and cultural activities. She is happy to be a part of the collaborative approach to teaching language in new ways.

“We live in a time when we have to be creative and innovative in everything we do,” says Tibbetts, who credits her close colleague for empowering her to take bold action to help her community. “I’ve been inspired by Karen Sharp. She taught me that everything you want to do, think beyond the impossible. When opportunity’s thrown at you, you take it.”

‘Dakelh nekhunik yats’ulhduk’ is available for download on Android.

CONTACT:

Audrey McKinnon
Communications Coordinator
250-617-3862
communicationsofficer@cstc.bc.ca

Today marks a milestone for all British Columbians as the Minister has apportioned 1,240,233 cubic metres in the Prince George Timber Supply Area to First Nations, which represents nearly 15% of the Allowable Annual Cut. This is the largest percentage of an Annual Allowable Cut that the Minister has apportioned to First Nations in the history British Columbia, representing yet another precedent forged through collaboration between the Carrier Sekani First Nations and the Province.

“Minister Conroy’s apportionment decision is a meaningful step towards true and lasting reconciliation,” said Carrier Sekani Tribal Council Chief Mina Holmes. “We finally have a say in what happens in our territories through the collaborative decision-making process set out in the precedent-setting Pathway Forward 2.0 Agreement.”

The success of this collaborative decision-making process is another step the Carrier Sekani First Nations have taken with the Province towards consent-based decision-making in Carrier Sekani Territories. The first step was taken when the Province recognized Carrier Sekani Aboriginal title and rights in the Collaboration Agreement in 2015.

The Carrier Sekani First Nations look forward to working with the Province and neighbouring local governments in building a new forest economy, creating more value from every tree harvested. Working together we can protect our stewardship values while maintaining vibrant communities.

For further information contact: Audrey McKinnon, Communications Officer, Carrier Sekani Tribal Council; communicationsofficer@cstc.bc.ca, 250-617-3862 

“On behalf of the CSTC Staff and Board of Directors, thank you for taking time to join us, we appreciate that many, if not all communities have pressing priorities and matters to attend. This online format seems to be the new standard of outreach and engagement.” – CSTC Tribal Chief Mina Holmes

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the AGA was held online for the first time, allowing members to attend from their homes and communities. This initiative was intended to assist with social distancing and to avoid increasing the risk of infection during this global pandemic.

The eight-hour presentation was a success in large part due to CSTC staff and leadership, community members, sponsors and many contributors who joined us to share their knowledge as speakers.

Several resolutions were passed during the AGA. Because the volume of resolutions was higher than usual, which we are grateful for, and because we were not able to maintain quorum for the full length of time, some resolutions did not make it to the floor to be voted on. CSTC will inform the communities promptly on how this will be resolved and will also release the resolutions that were already voted on. Community engagement and access to information are high priorities for the Tribal Council, so we are working to ensure the remaining resolutions are handled with careful consideration. An AGA Report will be provided to the CSTC Board of Directors including resolutions and action items for the CSTC Tribal Chief and General Manager.

Tribal Chief Mina Holmes and General Manager John Lewis provided great insight into the many developments and accomplishments of CSTC in the last fiscal year, within which the CSTC member nations began to feel the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these challenges, CSTC has continued to work tirelessly to serve the communities through projects funded by the Pathways Agreement 2.0, as well as some new initiatives designed to serve those in need of housing and access to food.

CSTC is also grateful for the contributions of Kym Gouchie, Camille Callison, Regional Chief Terry Teegee, Chief Clarence Louie, the Snotty Nose Rez Kids, Dr. Judith Sayers and Zandra Ross. Each of these contributors added their unique element of depth, inspiration, energy and wisdom to the AGA. Our theme, Resilience Through Unity: since time immemorial, was strengthened by all of their thoughtful words and care.

We thank our many sponsors for making this event possible and enriching it through the generosity of financial and material donations: Capri CMW Insurance Services, MNP Financial, Gowling WLG, Forest Eco System Solutions Ltd., TC Energy, Upper Fraser Fisheries Conservation Alliance, Radloff & Associates, Royal Bank of Canada and Canfor. Because of you, CSTC was able to create an unforgettable experience during our 38^th Annual General Assembly.

Finally, CSTC thanks each and every community member who made the time to engage with us through this event. All of the work we do here at CSTC is for the benefit of members and it is our pleasure to report to you and to hear your feedback whenever possible.

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CSTC member nations have witnessed the apathy and inaction of RCMP in response to acts of violence towards the Mi’kmaq people. It is the responsibility of the federal government to immediately ensure Canadian laws that protect treaty rights to earn a living from fishing are enforced.

The escalating events in the Atlantic lobster fishery dispute are further revealing a deeply flawed standard of justice that is fueled by systemic racism.

Immediate action from the highest level of government must be taken as those inciting hatred and fear have instilled and perpetuated an environment of lawlessness and little action has been taken to prosecute this criminal behavior.

CSTC works hard to build on promises of reconciliation from all levels of government and continues to support meaningful progress and respect for the rights, title and jurisdiction of it member First Nations. We stand in solidarity with Mi’kmaq communities and call on the federal government to exercise its power in upholding the constitution.

(Unceded territory of the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation, Prince George, B.C. – Sept. 3, 2020) — Carrier Sekani Tribal Council usually conducts its research on endangered white sturgeon by sourcing Sockeye salmon to use as bait from the Lheidli T’enneh or Stellako First Nations. But salmon returns are so low this year, there isn’t enough salmon to use as bait without getting it from the grocery store. It’s a symbol of just how endangered the runs are. CSTC Fisheries Program Manager Christina Ciesielski had no choice but to purchase 30 kilograms of salmon from Save-On-Foods, in order to attract juvenile sturgeon to be studied.

“It felt criminal that we’re buying these food-grade fish from a corporation to catch an endangered species that we’re studying — when there’s people in our communities who are starving. That could have fed members of our communities,” says Ciesielski.

CSTC values its ability to trade for or buy the salmon from neighbouring First Nations. “We do it to help each other out,” says Ciesielski. “We’re First Nations and we want to support other First Nations groups. It’s what people used to do and we want to keep that alive.”

The Early Stuart Sockeye Run has been reduced to a fraction of its historical peak numbers from 500,000 salmon to what’s estimated to be 16,000 this year. The Late Stuart Run and part of the Summer Run (Stellako) are also low this year at 55,000, down from a historical peak of over 1.6 million and about half the 2015 return numbers.

Ciesielski says that without rapid investment from Fisheries and Oceans Canada to train CSTC’s member nations to run new hatcheries in their communities, those numbers won’t improve.

A recent study (2009, Levy et al.) by the Upper Fraser Fisheries Conservation Alliance (UFFCA) shows that high water, high temperatures and other migration conditions have played a big part in the decline of the Early and Late Stuart Sockeye runs. Adding to that the recent Big Bar landslide and a multitude of factors in the ocean all contributing to devastating returns.

Decades-old frozen milt brings hope for Chinook salmon revival