Metlakatla Nation

Prince Rupert

The territory of the Metlakatla Nation encompasses the Skeena Watershed, Tsimshian Penninsula and offshore islands, Work Channel, Portland Inlet and the coastal area surrounding Prince Rupert.

Metlakatla. Photo by Metlakatla Nation
Metlakatla. Photo courtesy of Metlakatla Nation
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The Metlakatla Nation’s main community is located in Prince Rupert on BC’s North Coast

Metlakatla Nation

The Metlakatla Nation are part of the wider Tsimshian group that speak the Sm’algyax language. Metlakatla means “saltwater pass” in Sm’algyax.

The main Metlakatla community is located on the Tsimshian Penninsula, close to Prince Rupert.

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Metlakatla Community. Photo by Katherine Gordon
Metlakatla Community. Photo by Katherine Gordon

The health, culture and welfare of the Metlakatla Nation are inextricably linked to the well-being of their lands and waters. The Metlakatla people are committed, as owners and stewards, to ensuring their territory and its resources are responsibly managed, allowing them to sustain future generations.

Metlakatla Canoe Launch. Photo courtesy of Metlakatla Nation
Metlakatla Canoe Launch. Photo courtesy of Metlakatla Nation

Metlakatla Nation Projects

In partnership with Coast Funds, Metlakatla Nation has invested in:

First Nation Applicant Project Description Links Type Year Funding
Metlakatla Nation Metlakatla Governing Council Development of Monitoring Plan for Metlakatla’s Regenerative Ocean Farm To support the development and of the full monitoring plan that supports the implementation of a holistic monitoring framework for the Nation's regenerative ocean farm, to track the positive and negative impacts for regenerative ocean farming on their environment, economy, and community wellbeing. Conservation Fund 2024 $ 250,000
Metlakatla Nation Metlakatla Development Corporation Coastal Shellfish Corporation – Scallop Farm Infrastructure Expansion To further Metlakatla First Nation's development of a shellfish aquaculture industry on the North Coast through Coastal Shellfish LP by acquiring and refitting a specialized vessel for working on subsurface scallops longlines, seeding juvenile scallops, sorting and harvesting mature scallops in order to expand the farming operations, provide additional employment opportunities, and increase scallop sales revenue Economic Development Fund 2019 $ 175,044
Metlakatla Nation Metlakatla Governing Council Conservancy Management and Lands Guardian Program – 2019/20 Operations To continue operations of the newly formed Environmental Stewardship Initiatives Department, establishing Metlakatla's Lands-based Guardian program, focusing its conservancy management efforts on Ksgaxl/Stephens Island, Lucy Island, Khtada Lake, and Kyex Conservancy and consultation with other First Nations for at least four other plans drafted in 2018 Conservation Fund 2019 $ 200,000
Metlakatla Nation Metlakatla Governing Council Conservancy Management Planning and Start-up of a Lands Guardian Program To establish a new Environmental Stewardship Initiatives Department that will establish a new Lands-based Guardian program in Metlakatla territory, focusing its conservancy management efforts on Khtada Lake and Kyex Conservancy in the first year of its operations. Conservation Fund 2018 $ 200,000
Metlakatla Nation Metlakatla Governing Council 2016/17 Stewardship Operations and IT Infrastructure To support operations of the stewardship society and to implement the current phase of Metlakatla First Nation's Strategic Plan for Information Technology that supports conservation science, fisheries, marine use planning, non-timber forest product and ecotourism social enterprises, and Metlakatla's financial management of stewardship programs Conservation Fund 2016 $ 143,703
Metlakatla Nation Metlakatla Governing Council Commercial-Scale Conifer Essential Oils Manufacturing Facility To establish the first commercial partnership between the Tsimshian and Nisga'a Nations to manufacture conifer essential oils at a new commercial-scale facility in Prince Rupert Economic Development Fund 2015 $ 100,000
Metlakatla Nation Metlakatla Governing Council Cumulative Effects Assessment and Management – Phase 1 To identify priority values, associated indicators, benchmarks and management targets to monitor Metlakatla's values in the context of current and proposed development throughout the Nation's territory Conservation Fund 2014 $ 111,500
Metlakatla Nation Metlakatla Development Corporation Investment in and Restructuring of Coastal Shellfish Corp. To take a majority interest in a shellfish corporation as part of a restructuring that will consolidate scallop hatchery and farm operations within a single, integrated business model located in Metlakatla territory Economic Development Fund 2013 $ 1,500,000
Metlakatla Nation Metlakatla Governing Council Pilot-Scale Conifer Essential Oils Manufacturing Facility To establish production methods and to produce high quality conifer essential oils for sale to local customers and distribution to an aromatherapy partner Economic Development Fund 2013 $ 108,285
Metlakatla Nation Metlakatla Governing Council Operations and Marketing for the Metlakatla Wilderness Trail To support start-up and marketing costs over three years for this new wilderness tourism experience that follows the forested shoreline of the Tsimshian Peninsula from Metlakatla village Economic Development Fund 2013 $ 148,302
Metlakatla Nation Metlakatla Governing Council Start-up of the Metlakatla Stewardship Society To commence operations of the new society's stewardship programs including land and marine use planning, monitoring resources and resource use, managing resource development referrals, and drafting a five year strategy for the program Conservation Fund 2012 $ 200,000
Metlakatla Nation Metlakatla Development Corporation Investment in Coastal Shellfish Corporation To invest in scallop hatchery, nursery, and farm infrastructure to advance commercialization of Coastal Shellfish Corporation's operations in Metlakatla territory Economic Development Fund 2012 $ 200,000
Metlakatla Nation Metlakatla Governing Council Establishing the Metlakatla Stewardship Society To develop, establish and commence operations of the Nation's stewardship program including incorporation of the society, transfer of research equipment and assets, development of program governance and administrative policies, community engagement, and hiring of program staff Conservation Fund 2010 $ 75,000
Metlakatla Nation Metlakatla Development Corporation Pilot-Scale Scallop Farm Trials To advance pilot-scale scallop farming trials for a future commercial-scale aquaculture business in Metlakatla territory in partnership with Coastal Shellfish Corporation Economic Development Fund 2010 $ 462,000
Metlakatla Nation Metlakatla Development Corporation Due Diligence for a Commercial Property Acquisition To complete a market feasibility assessment for a commercial real estate investment opportunity in collaboration with the Lax Kw'alaams Nation Economic Development Fund 2010 $ 7,600
Metlakatla Nation Metlakatla Development Corporation Canoe Quest Cultural Tourism and Rediscovery Program To design and build the world’s largest North Coast First Nation traditional-style canoe and to construct transportation infrastructure to operate canoe tours based in Prince Rupert Economic Development Fund 2009 $ 127,875
Total Projects 16 Total Invested $ 4,009,309

Total Projects: 16

Total Invested: $ 4,009,309

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Metlakatla Organizations and Resources

Online Resources

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