Our Purpose Moving Forward
Photo by Elder Ralph James, C/TFN
For headwaters-based First Nations and non-First Nations people alike, this land relationship plan represents a relational worldview that is rooted in an understanding of history, relationship, sharing, and reciprocity to ensure the enduring well-being of both the land and water.
““Wise planning of finite land, water and wildlife for the next seven generations is a paramount requirement today, for there will be nothing left if we don’t do this now.” ”
- Patrick James, Co-Chair Land Management Board Carcross/Tagish First Nation
Why Now?
The land and water face more pressures now than ever before. These include residential growth, resource development, agriculture, recreation and tourism activities.
Holistic and regional land use planning was an important part of the Umbrella Final Agreement. A regional land use plan has not been developed for the Southern Lakes.
The How We Walk with the Land and Water initiative is meant to prepare our story for Chapter 11 Land Use Planning and further implementation of our Final Agreements.
Our Way
Our way is guided by Elders and meaningful community engagement. We are not looking for input on a completed plan, we are asking for ideas, listening to concerns and working with citizens to prepare the plan. We are gathering traditional knowledge, stories and scientific data to help answer questions. We are having conversations to identify the values and relationships that should be sustained into the future for our people. We are recording our own story so we are prepared for Chapter 11 Land Use Planning.
Where We Are?
What is a Mapped Land Vision?
“We have to find a way to work together. It is not about power or control or getting what you want, it’s about how we are going to live, walk and co-exist together, animal, plant form and human. ”
C/TFN, Teslin Tlingit Council and Taku River Tlingit First Nation traditional canoes on Shaanakheeni, Men Cho (Bennet Lake) at Haa Kus Teyea 2019. (Photo credit: C/TFN).
“Connection calls upon us to leave no one out or behind, to care for all things and to be aware that what we do with our lives connects with not just the world today, but with the world of our Ancestors, and, to the world of all.”
~Statutes of Carcross/Tagish First Nation. Book One, Traditional Beliefs and Practices: Our Place, Our Responsibilities, pg.69-70
