Who are the Wet’suwet’en First Nation?

We are the Wet'suwet'en First Nation, comprised of clans located in six locations in Northern British Columbia. The Wet'suwet'en Nation includes both the elected bands and a traditional hereditary clan system.

We have Elected Chief and Council members in each community. Our community votes for our Elected representatives every two years.

We all share responsibility for a broader unceded territory covering 22,000 square kilometres in British Columbia.

Which communities do the Elected Chiefs of the Wet’suwet’en First Nation represent?

The Elected Chiefs of the Wet’suwet’en communities consist of: Nee Tahi Buhn Indian Band, Skin Tyee Nation, Ts’ilh Kaz Koh First Nation (Burns Lake Band), Wet’suwet’en First Nation (all of Burns Lake, BC), Witset First Nation (Smithers, BC) and Hagwilget First Nation Government, New Hazelton, BC.

What clans are members of the Wet’suwet’en?

The Wet'suwet'en Nation is organized into five clans, with two to three houses included within each clan.

The Wet’suwet’en Nation clans include:

• Gilseyhu – Big Frog clan

• Laksilyu – Small Frog clan

• Gitdumden – Wolf and Bear clan

• Tsayu – Beaver clan

• Laksamshu – Fireweed and Owl clan

Who are the Elected Chiefs of the Wet’suwet’en First Nation?

The current Elected Chiefs of the Wet’suwet’en First Nation are:

• Chief Dan George, Ts’il Kaz Koh First Nation (Burns Lake Band)

• Chief Maureen Luggi, Wet’suwet’en First Nation

• Chief Rosemarie Skin, Skin Tyee Nation

• Chief Sandra George, Witset First Nation

• Chief Patricia Prince, Nee Tahi Buhn Indian Band

• Chief Dora Wilson, Hagwilget First National Government (New Hazelton)

What is the Office of the Wet’suwet’en?

The Office of the Wet’suwet’en is a non-profit society registered under British Columbia provincial law. The Office was formed in 1984.

Does the Office of the Wet’suwet’en represent the community?

While the society purports to represent our Wet’suwet’en communities, they have effectively left us out of the discussions with the Federal and Provincial governments and excluded us from participation in reaching the agreement. For more information on the Office of the Wet’suwet’en, please visit their website at wetsuweten.com/office.

Who speaks on behalf of the Wet’suwet’en First Nations people?

Traditionally, the Elected Chiefs and the Hereditary Chiefs work and speak together on behalf of the community. We believe in collaboration and respectful dialogue.

What is the Coast GasLink Pipeline route?

For more information on the Coastal GasLink project, please visit their Frequently Asked Questions page on their website at coastalgaslink.com/about/faqs.

Which First Nations communities signed the Coastal GasLink pipeline agreement?

All 20 of the First Nations along the approved British Columbian Coastal GasLink route have signed agreements to move forward with this project.

How did the First Nations communities agree to sign the Coastal GasLink pipeline agreement?

The Elected Chiefs engaged with our communities through this process to ensure this is what our people want. The opportunity to become independent and bring education, work and prosperity to our communities is at the heart of this agreement.

Other pipeline projects have submitted proposals for the region, why is the Coastal GasLink pipeline project different?

The Coastal GasLink project was respectful of our culture, land and people. The opportunity to become independent and bring education, work and prosperity to our communities is at the heart of this agreement.

Important Terminology

First Nations - First Nations people are the original inhabitants of the land that is now called Canada.

Elected Chief - Elected representatives that administer programs and services for the community.

Hereditary Chief – The Hereditary Chief oversees each clan house.

Clan – A First Nations clan are groups whereby members can trace ancestors and descent.

Feast Hall – A feast or potlatch is an integral ceremony within the Wet’suwet’en culture. The Feast Hall is where important matters are discussed by all community members and where consensus is reached. Feast Halls are respectful and peaceful ways to ensure Wet’suwet’en communities’ function in a traditional democratic form.

Indian Act - The Indian Act of 1867 was created by colonialists that came to North America who seized Indigenous Land. It is a Canadian act of Parliament that concerns registered Indians , their bands, and the system of Indian reserves.The Act created an Elected Chief and Council that change every two years.

Aboriginal Rights & Title & Governance - Aboriginal title encompasses an exclusive right to the use and occupation of land, i.e., to the exclusion of both non-Aboriginals and members of other Aboriginal nations. In order to determine Rights and Title, our communities must be engaged and work together to agree on our path forward.