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 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

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 Nation Projects

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

First Nation	Applicant	Project	Description	Links	Type	Year	Funding
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	Blog Post	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	Blog Post	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	Blog Post	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	Blog Post	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	Blog Post	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	Blog Post	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