Wetʼsuwetʼen First Nation

This article is about the First Nations band. For the First Nations people, see Wetʼsuwetʼen.
Wetʼsuwetʼen First Nation
Band No. 725
Wetʼsuwetʼen First Nation location in traditional Wetʼsuwetʼen territory within British Columbia, Canada
PeopleDene
ProvinceBritish Columbia
Land
Main reservePalling 1
Other reserve(s)
  • Duncan Lake 2
  • Felix George 7
  • Foxy Creek 6
  • Gaichbin 6
  • Klagookchew 9
  • Maxan Creek 5
  • Maxan Lake 3
  • Maxan Lake 4
  • Tatla West 11
  • Tsichgass 10
Land area7.008 km2
Population (2020)
On reserve83
On other land11
Off reserve162
Total population256
Government
ChiefMaureen Luggi
Council
  • Heather Nooski
  • Karen Ogen-Toews
Tribal Council
Carrier Sekani Tribal Council
Website
wetsuwetenfirstnation.com

The Wetʼsuwetʼen First Nation is a Wetʼsuwetʼen First Nations band located outside of the village of Burns Lake, British Columbia, Canada.[1][2] It was formerly known as the Broman Lake Indian Band and is still usually referred to as Broman Lake although this is no longer its official name.[3] Its members speak the Wetʼsuwetʼen dialect of Babine-Witsuwitʼen, a Northern Athabaskan language. The main community is on Palling Indian Reserve No. 1.

As of March 2017, the Nation had 257 registered members, with 85 members living on the First Nation's own reserve.[4]

The Nation is a member of the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council[5] and of the Broman Lake Development Corporation.

The Wetʼsuwetʼen First Nation was formerly part of the Omineca Band. In 1984, the Omineca Band split into the Broman Lake and Nee-Tahi-Buhn Band. The Skin Tyee band later split off from Nee-Tahi-Buhn.

On March 18, 2021, a long-term drinking water advisory was finally lifted, after having been in place since March 13, 2013 after arsenic was found in the Nation's water. The advisory was lifted with the installation of a temporary water treatment plant and discussion of plans for a more permanent structure. The advisory had affected 24 homes and four commercial buildings.[6]

Other Wetʼsuwetʼen First Nations bands include the Burns Lake Indian Band, Hagwilget Village First Nation, Skin Tyee First Nation, Nee-Tahi-Buhn Band and Witset.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Wet'suwet'en First Nation". Government of Canada; Indigenous and Northern Affairs. February 6, 2013. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
  2. ^ "Office of the Wet'suwet'en". www.wetsuweten.com. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  3. ^ "Browman Lake Community, Wetsuweten". www.wetsuweten.com. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  4. ^ "Registered Population: Wet'suwet'en First Nation". Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. Government of Canada. November 3, 2008. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
  5. ^ "First Nation Detail: Wet'suwet'en First Nation". Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. Government of Canada. 2008-11-03. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
  6. ^ Ketkar, Priyanka (May 12, 2021). "Wet'suwet'en First Nation's long-term boil water advisory lifted". BC Local News. Retrieved May 20, 2021.