Keyoh Governance Strategic Plan

Overarching Goal: Keyoh guides the implementation of the Keyoh Governance Strategic Plan. 

There are two important ingredients to successful implementation of a plan: relationships and resources. This goal includes continuing the work of the Keyoh Governance Oversight Body, incorporating relevant sections of this plan into the workplans of Nak’azdli staff (Yinka Huwunline and other departments), and ensuring that communications about the plan are distributed (storytelling). 

This is the first goal area because implementation is the most important thing to think about when developing a plan. Implementation will depend on Keyoh, Yinka Huwunline, Chief and Council, and other departments all working together in order to gradually reassert our responsibility for our lands, waters, and people. 

Overarching Goal: Both internal (who represents Keyoh, who is allowed to participate in Keyoh) and external (Keyoh boundaries) conflicts have clear resolution mechanisms. 

As both a proactive and preventative measure, there needs to be a way for Keyoh representatives and families to resolve conflict both within their own families and between families. These conflict resolution processes need to be seen as legitimate by Keyoh.  

This plan recommends that two processes be recognized: existing clan processes, and a Keyoh circle for those Keyoh who either do not participate in clan or would like a separate process for whatever reason.  

The Keyoh Governance Strategic Plan also recommends communicating about the many ways that Keyoh can be passed down from one representative to the next to ensure that families understand the diversity of views on this matter (which sparks a lot of conflict). 

Overarching Goal: Clan, Band, and Keyoh have clear areas of authority that each is responsible for. 

In preparation for Nak’azdli taking back more authority over how decisions are made in our lands, we asked participants in the research informing this plan to allocate areas of responsibility among the Band, Keyoh, and Clan, allowing for overlap. The above list indicates the areas where each one has primary responsibility. 

To build towards Keyoh governance capacity, this plan recommends that Yinka Huwunline becomes the “Keyoh Office,” a semi-independent body that sits between Keyoh and the Band government, empowering Keyoh in developing plans, educating Keyoh in their responsibilities related to current Crown-based decision-making, and coordinating decisions when they impact more than one Keyoh. In addition to these Keyoh-oriented responsibilities, Yinka Huwunline would continue to operate as the stewardship office and industrial regulator for Nak’azdli as a whole. 

Areas of Responsibility also includes a goal to incorporate Keyoh and Clan concerns into the structure of government-to-government decision-making through regular communications with Chief and Council and the establishment of a negotiations working group. 

Overarching Goal: Keyoh are recognized by other levels of government as having decision-making responsibility over their lands – at individual, watershed, and Nak’azdli-territory level. 

The Decision-Making goal area is the largest and most central to the overarching goal of recognizing Keyoh as responsible for decisions on their lands.  

Decision-making for Keyoh is often reactive based on the Crown using referrals to consult on industrial activity on our lands. In order for Keyoh to communicate their long term vision, plans at the individual Keyoh and/or the watershed level need to be developed. Some Keyoh already have these plans in place, and others will require assistance from Yinka Huwunline to complete them. Yinka Huwunline will store these plans in an accessible format for Keyoh, industry, and other governments. Alongside the need for plans, Keyoh need to continue to demonstrate their use of their lands (another Crown requirement); the goal that will achieve this focuses on building cabins and signage on Keyoh lands. 

The first three goals within Decision-making focus on Keyoh decision-making processes, representation, and mapping. Decisions made by Indigenous Governing Bodies need to be transparent to Crown governments; for this reason, each Keyoh will need to be able to track their decisions. They also need to have a clear way to establish representation, and Keyoh boundaries need to be accessible to other Keyoh and other governments and industry. Since there are known conflicts over Keyoh boundaries and representation, we expect that the conflict resolution processes will be used in achieving these goals.  

The remainder of the Decision-Making Goal Area focuses on Nak’azdli governance and Crown governments. As Nak’azdli moves towards increased responsibility and authority for decision-making, the Band itself needs to increase the durability of their decisions. Another goal gives metrics for increasing Keyoh and Clan participation in decisions. 

This plan also includes a goal relating to Crown and non-Indigenous neighbours recognizing Keyoh. Through engagement with the Province as well as cultural awareness training, we expect to increase the understanding and respect of Keyoh authority among non-Indigenous people and Crown governments. 

Overarching Goal: Keyoh is equitably compensated for historical and future resource development on their lands. 

The resource revenue goal area focuses on the process that needs to be established for Keyoh to access a portion of the revenue that is made through industrial activity on their lands. This goal area includes pursuing historic compensation, setting up a fund for Keyoh to access to build infrastructure and restore their Keyoh, and a distribution process for Keyoh to access that fund. 

Overarching Goal: Nak’azdli connection to traditional culture is revitalized 

This goal area focuses mostly on responsibilities held by the Band administration to develop and deliver programming for youth to improve their access to the land and understanding of Nak’azdli culture. These programs are part of ensuring that youth are ready to assume the roles expected of them as part of Keyoh. 

The recommendation is for the education department and youth centre to increase the opportunities for youth to be on the land and connect with elders for knowledge transmission. Youth engagement could include camping and canoe trips to Keyoh, practical training for land-based activities (chainsaw safety, snowmobile safety, Possession and Acquisition License training), and language and culture programs to learn from Keyoh knowledge holders and clan leaders.