Profile of the Cheslatta Carrier Nation and the Southside
May 2009.
Southside Population (est): 2000
Services: (3) Grocery Stores, (2) Gas/Diesel/propane, (2) Video, (3) cafes, (8) sawmills, Farmers Market.
Cheslatta Carrier Nation (CCN)
reserves: 17
acres:
reserve population: 120
full time employees: 12
seasonal employees: 20
unemployment rate: 15%
Other Bands on the Southside: Nee Tahi Buhn and Skin Tyee
Cheslatta Community Forest (largest ComFor in BC. 1st and only First Nation ComFor) awarded 25 year license Oct 1, 2007
Land Base: 100,000 acres
Annual allowable cut (AAC): 210,000 cubic meters (5,250 truck loads)
Donations 2004/05 - approx $120,000 including Grassy Plains School (playground equipment and free hot lunches for all students), Community Smokehouse, Legacy Dugout Canoe, Cheslatta Trail Redevelopment and Signage, Community Bus, Burns Lake Food Hamper Program, Nourse House, Ootsa Lake Fishing Derby, Southside Ambulance Station,
Southside Health and Wellness Centre – completed December 2003
Capital Cost: $1,500,000
Employees: 14
A CCN initiative that provides health and wellness services to all resident of the Southside. One of a kind project. Canada and BC consider it a model for other communities.
Three Nations Water Project – Completed 2004
Capital Costs: $14,000,000
Employees: 1
The largest capital project ever undertaken by DIA BC Regional. Initiated by CCN, this state of the art project provides clean, safe drinking water to the 3 Bands and non-native residents alike.
Southside Community Legacy Fund – Created by 3 Nations/Alcan Land Stewardship Agreement-May 2004
Current Value $300,000
Administered by a Board comprised of reps from 3 Nations, Alcan and Southside.
Promotes community infrastructure, ec. dev, education etc. Active in November 2005.
Cheslatta Forest Products – full production December 2001 - Sawmill and Planer mill
Owners: CCN - 33%; Local Residents incl. First Nations - 33%; Carrier Forest Products – 33%
Full time jobs: 150 (milling, harvesting, contracting, administration, management, trucking)
Annual Production: 85,000,000 board feet
Annual timber consumption: 300,000 cubic meter
Monthly payroll/goods & services: $1,700,000
Southside Volunteer Fire Department
CCN owns new truck ($350,000), firehall and land. Leases to SSVFD for $1.00 per year. Truck secured in 2005 via formation of Fire Protection Alliance with 3 bands and SSVFD
Provincial Ambulance Station – installed 2004
Operated by local residents trained as paramedics.
Francois Lake Ferry – “Francois Forester” – in service November 25, 2004
Community effort to convince BC Govt to install new ferry to handle the increased harvesting rate.
Instead of 4 loaded trucks every 50 minutes, new vessel can haul 14 loaded truck every 50 minutes
Keefes Landing Road Upgrade and Paving – $6.5 million dollars. Completed September 18, 2004
Unique partnership: Cheslatta Nation, Min Hiways and Forests, Cheslatta Forest Products and Indian Affairs. Allows year round industrial traffic.
