Nen Ch'eh, the land's way
Making History: On May 10th, 2024 at 8:25pm the Nen Ch'eh Vote closed. Live ballot counting was completed and Nen Ch'eh was passed with %94 approval from Xeni Gwet'in membership. All relevant reporting documents are compiled and linked below.
Nen Ch'eh became officially Operational as of July 1, 2024. Traditional Nen-Law Making Meetings are presently being scheduled within the Nenqay Calendar of Engagements for Spring 2025-2026. A Nen-Law Making Committee has been selected.
The Xeni Gwet'in Land Code is called Nen Ch’eh – it is “the land’s way”.
The name was choosen by community through discussion with Elders and Tsilhqot'in speakers.
Read more by clicking on the key documents listed below.
About Nen Ch'eh
Why we are developing our own land management?
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Nen Ch'eh (Land Code) is a framework designed by LABRC for land management decision-making which replaces the 44 land management provisions of the Indian Act. It is a document that would officially take back jurisdiction, land management, governance and sovereignty over the 8 Xeni Gwet'in reserve land areas that Canada still claims to hold control of.
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and Indigenous Services Canada (CIRNAC and ISC (formerly INAC)) would no longer be involved in the management of our reserve lands.
With Nen Ch'eh in place, Xeni Gwet'in First Nations will legally regain jurisdiction and independent control over the 8 reserve land areas, making it community-driven; for our people ~ by our people.
The Xeni Gwet'in First Nations Nen Ch'eh empowers us to return to the methods we once used to manage our lands, teachings, and practices without waiting on ISC/CIRNAC for approvals. We can now develop and execute our own projects and build our land management capacity on our own timelines, which are federally honored and recognized.
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Nen Ch'eh lays out a number of important governing functions, which include transparency and accountability to the membership in all decisions relating to our lands. Nen Ch'eh is "the Land's Way" and allows Xeni Gwet'in to develop stronger land management and build healthy capacity in community.
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What does the developmental process involve?
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Since 2021, XGFNG Nenqay Department has held a number of information events, community engagements, and special meeting sessions in order to receive direction from the community on what provisions to include in Nen Ch'eh. Drafting of Nen Ch'eh is undertaken by the Nen Ch'eh Coordinator, reviewed by the Nenqay Department and released to the community for input, guidance and comments. When the final version of Nen Ch'eh was developed, it went to a community ratification vote on May 8 and 10, 2024.
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All voting-aged members of Xeni Gwet'in First Nations have the right to vote on Nen Ch'eh.
Membership participation is vital to the success of this historic document.
Nen Ch'eh will give us back the authority to govern our lands and resources without Ministerial approval. ​​​
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Contact us with Questions
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Please contact Loretta Williams, Nenqay Director, lorettaw@xeni-gwetin.ca to submit questions, inquire to learn more about the process and the positive impact on capacity building and land management that Nen Ch'eh will have. The Former Nenqay Manager who coordinated Nen Ch'eh is Niki Cesta.
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Supporting Documents
44 Sections of the IA that cease to apply with Land Code:
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Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management
First Nations Land Management Act
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Lands Advisory Board Resource Centre
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Environmental Site Assessment Presentation, Sept 26, 2023:
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As of May 19, 2023, there are 203 First Nations across Canada (signatories and wait-listed First Nations) that are involved in the Framework Agreement. 103 of these are Operational First Nations - those who have already passed their own Land Codes and are now governing with their own land law.
Click on the map for a closer view of where some of these First Nations are located, or
here for a full list of participating communities.
What other First Nations are involved with Land Code through the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management?
