© 2025 THE NUCHATLAHT FIRST NATION
A MEMBER OF THE NUU-CHAH-NULTH TRIBAL COUNCIL
A MEMBER OF THE NUU-CHAH-NULTH TRIBAL COUNCIL
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN
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NATION UPDATES
UPCOMING EVENTS & OFFICE CLOSURES CALENDAR
3-MONTH PERIOD
Jul 2, 2025
3-MONTH PERIOD
Jul 2, 2025
jul 2025
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11 HALF-SCHEDULED Hours: 8:30AM to 12:00PM |
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25 First Day of Camp |
26 Day 2 of Camp |
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aug 2025
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sep 2025
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1 OFFICE CLOSED LABOUR DAY |
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26HALF-SCHEDULED Hours: 8:30AM to 12:00PM |
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30 OFFICE CLOSED NATIONAL TRUTH & RECONCILLIATION DAY |
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Blank Date = Regular Office Hours: Open from 8:30AM to 4:30PM. Monday to Friday (Unless otherwise noted)
2025 CULTURAL DANCE PRACTICE FOR MEMBERSHIP (NEW april 2025)
UPCOMING SESSION:
UPDATE FROM OUR LAND TITLE COURT CASE: april 2024
WE ARE STILL HERE.
- NUCHATLAHT FIRST NATION WINS HISTORIC BC TITLE CLAIM
For the first time in B.C. history, a B.C. Supreme Court has awarded Aboriginal title to a First Nation in B.C. In a precedentsetting decision,Nuchatlaht’s win hasthe court recognizing Aboriginal title to part of their traditional territory on Northwest Nootka Island.
NUCHATLAHT First Nation is celebrating a historic legal victory, after Justice Myers of the B.C. Supreme Court found that the Nuchatlaht hold aboriginal title to a portion of their traditional, ancestral, unceded territory on Nootka Island. This ruling marks the first time that a B.C. trial court has recognized a First Nation’s Aboriginal title.
The Tsilhqot’in First Nation needed to appeal their decision to the Supreme Court of Canada in Ottawa. Tyee Ha’wiih Chief Jordan Michaelsaid upon receiving the decision “we are celebrating this victory and looking ahead for the future of our nation. There is still much that needs to be done to restore our land and heal our people.”
This victory follows a 54-day trial which began in March of 2022. In May of 2023 the court rejected the Nuchatlaht’s entire claim area but acknowledged that Nuchatlaht have Aboriginal title somewhere on Nootka Island. This decision identifiesthose areas and concludes a processstarted when the Nuchatlaht first brought the claim in 2017.
“This is a victory for Nuchatlaht, butwe know that our territory didn’t stop at the bottom of the hill. Our people used everything from the beaches to the mountain tops.” said Nuchatlaht Councillor Mellissa Jack. Nuchatlaht are considering appealing the decision for the remainder of their original claim area. Archie Little, Nuchatlaht elder and Councillor said “we're not just fighting for Nuchatlaht. We want to show the world that we can manage better, we can enhance better, and there will be enough for everybody.”
Future Plans
The case was first started underthe leadership ofthe late Ha’wiih Chief Walter Michael, who said of the case "successive governments have failed to give Nuchatlaht serious iisaak (respect) for their Rights and Title... These governments need to hear from the court system to allow us to restore and protect our ancestral lands for the benefit of all future generations.”
Ha’wiih Chief Jordan Michaelspoke about the continuity of this vision. “There has been industrial clearcut logging. There’s no thought about tomorrow. It’s take everything now. We want to do things differently.”
With the reclamation of part of their territory, the Nuchatlaht plan to practice Nuu-chah-nulth stewardship based on the principle of Hishuk-ish tsa’walk (everything is connected). With over 80% of old growth forests clearcut in the region and no watersheds left intact, the aim is to rehabilitate the natural ecosystem while supporting the growth of the Nuchatlaht people and culture.
In addition to forestry, the Nuchatlaht have big plans to collaborate with stakeholders to restore and strengthen wild salmon populations in the area. “We are ocean people,” said Councillor Little. “A priority is restoring wild salmon habitat in our waters.”
Housing is another priority for the Nuchatlaht, and they are developing plans to improve access to housing for members on and off reserve. “It’ll be a great thing for oursmall community being able to provide for our community members,” said Melissa Jack, a Nuchatlaht Councilor.
“Now it’ll be our turn and it will be good to see our people flourish.” “This is a real chance at becoming self-sustaining. For far too long we’ve been isolated on this tiny little reserve watching all ourresources getting stripped away, while not taking any real part in the economic development of our nation” said Councillor Erick Michael. ”I think it’ll be a huge win forselfdetermination. We will finally be able to take care of our people and take care of our lands like we want to. It will be really big for generations to come.
The Tsilhqot’in First Nation needed to appeal their decision to the Supreme Court of Canada in Ottawa. Tyee Ha’wiih Chief Jordan Michaelsaid upon receiving the decision “we are celebrating this victory and looking ahead for the future of our nation. There is still much that needs to be done to restore our land and heal our people.”
This victory follows a 54-day trial which began in March of 2022. In May of 2023 the court rejected the Nuchatlaht’s entire claim area but acknowledged that Nuchatlaht have Aboriginal title somewhere on Nootka Island. This decision identifiesthose areas and concludes a processstarted when the Nuchatlaht first brought the claim in 2017.
“This is a victory for Nuchatlaht, butwe know that our territory didn’t stop at the bottom of the hill. Our people used everything from the beaches to the mountain tops.” said Nuchatlaht Councillor Mellissa Jack. Nuchatlaht are considering appealing the decision for the remainder of their original claim area. Archie Little, Nuchatlaht elder and Councillor said “we're not just fighting for Nuchatlaht. We want to show the world that we can manage better, we can enhance better, and there will be enough for everybody.”
Future Plans
The case was first started underthe leadership ofthe late Ha’wiih Chief Walter Michael, who said of the case "successive governments have failed to give Nuchatlaht serious iisaak (respect) for their Rights and Title... These governments need to hear from the court system to allow us to restore and protect our ancestral lands for the benefit of all future generations.”
Ha’wiih Chief Jordan Michaelspoke about the continuity of this vision. “There has been industrial clearcut logging. There’s no thought about tomorrow. It’s take everything now. We want to do things differently.”
With the reclamation of part of their territory, the Nuchatlaht plan to practice Nuu-chah-nulth stewardship based on the principle of Hishuk-ish tsa’walk (everything is connected). With over 80% of old growth forests clearcut in the region and no watersheds left intact, the aim is to rehabilitate the natural ecosystem while supporting the growth of the Nuchatlaht people and culture.
In addition to forestry, the Nuchatlaht have big plans to collaborate with stakeholders to restore and strengthen wild salmon populations in the area. “We are ocean people,” said Councillor Little. “A priority is restoring wild salmon habitat in our waters.”
Housing is another priority for the Nuchatlaht, and they are developing plans to improve access to housing for members on and off reserve. “It’ll be a great thing for oursmall community being able to provide for our community members,” said Melissa Jack, a Nuchatlaht Councilor.
“Now it’ll be our turn and it will be good to see our people flourish.” “This is a real chance at becoming self-sustaining. For far too long we’ve been isolated on this tiny little reserve watching all ourresources getting stripped away, while not taking any real part in the economic development of our nation” said Councillor Erick Michael. ”I think it’ll be a huge win forselfdetermination. We will finally be able to take care of our people and take care of our lands like we want to. It will be really big for generations to come.
