Kitselas First Nation
Summary
Governance & Leadership
Chief
- Glen Bennett
Councillors
- Cyril Bennett-Nabess
- Cherly Campbell
- Jericho Collison
- Ken McDames
- Gerald Nyce
- Jorden Squires
- Victor Wright
Next Election
June 2027Term of Office
2 YearsGovernment Type
Indian Act Electoral SystemDemographics
Membership (*ISC - As of August 2026)
- 810 total membership
- 319 (on-reserve)
- 491 (off-reserve)
Reserves
Reserve Land
hectares
1,069.10
acres
2,641.80
km²
10.69
Physical Location
Kitselas First Nation is located in the Skeena Valley, northeast of the city of Terrace, British Columbia.
Economic Strategy
Kitselas First Nation advances an ambitious vision of economic sovereignty, financial self-sufficiency, and sustainable development across its traditional territory in Northwest British Columbia. Centered around the Skeena River and Terrace region, the Nation leverages its strategic geographic location to drive sustainable commercial expansion, create meaningful employment, and foster economic prosperity for its members. By establishing strong corporate structures, managing ancestral lands, and expanding commercial partnerships, Kitselas First Nation balances cultural preservation—highlighted by historical assets like Kitselas Canyon—with modern enterprise management. Through focused investment in natural resources, land development, and administrative services, the Nation continues to build a resilient economic foundation designed to support future generations and exercise local self-governance.
Investment Readiness & Governance
- Operates under a recognized Land Code governance framework, granting independent authority over land management, resource stewardship, and community planning.
- Actively participates in advanced treaty negotiations through the TFN Treaty Society to establish long-term governance legal certainty and expand economic jurisdiction.
Economic Development Corporation
Kitselas Development Corporation
Kitselas Development Corporation functions as the economic development agency for Kitselas First Nation, dedicated to driving sustainable economic growth, revenue generation, and community self-sufficiency. Working in tandem with its primary operating arm, Kitselas Development Limited Partnership, the enterprise oversees a diverse portfolio of commercial interests designed to generate long-term financial returns and local employment opportunities. Mandated to manage business enterprises, build strategic industry alliances, and leverage territorial assets in Northwest British Columbia, the entity operates across key sectors including forestry, environmental stewardship, real estate development, and administrative systems. By establishing structured governance and aligning commercial objectives with traditional values, Kitselas Development Corporation plays a pivotal role in strengthening economic sovereignty and securing lasting prosperity for the Nation.
Kitselas First Nation - Enterprise Portfolio
Economic Development & Corporate Entities
Kitselas Development Corporation (Wholly-Owned Corporate Entity)
Serves as the primary general partner overseeing major business operations and commercial ventures on behalf of the Nation.
Kitselas Community Land GP Ltd. (Wholly-Owned Corporate Entity)
Functions as the general partner directing land acquisition, management, and commercial real estate investments.
Resource & Environmental Enterprises
Kitselas Forest Products Limited (Wholly-Owned Corporate Entity)
Acts as the general partner responsible for governing commercial forestry holdings and natural resource management.
Wai Wah Environmental GP Ltd. (Wholly-Owned Corporate Entity)
Operates as the general partner supervising specialized technical and environmental consulting ventures.
Service & Infrastructure Operations
Kitselas Five Tier System Ltd. (Wholly-Owned Corporate Entity)
Serves as the general partner directing administrative framework and organizational service systems.
Inactive & Legacy Entities
Kitselas Social Economic Development Corp. (Wholly-Owned Inactive Corporation)
Maintained as a dormant corporate structure intended for future socio-economic programs and community initiatives.
All Nations Safety Services Inc. (Wholly-Owned Inactive Corporation)
Preserved as a non-operating corporate entity designated for potential occupational health and safety services.
Tourism & Cultural Enterprises
Kitselas Canyon National Historic Site (Cultural Tourism Enterprise)
Designated as a National Historic Site, this facility operates as a premier cultural tourism destination located on the Gitaus reserve along the Skeena River. It drives regional Indigenous tourism through guided and self-guided tours, showcasing historic 1800s village remains, traditional longhouses, and the Clan Totem Pole Garden. The site also operates as a commercial venue, offering facility rentals for private functions and events.
Access & Logistics Details
Primary Access:
Kitselas First Nation reserves, including the primary community at Gitaus and the Kulspai reserve, are accessible year-round via Highway 16 (Trans-Canada Yellowhead Highway). Gitaus is located approximately 15 km east of Terrace, BC, directly adjacent to Highway 16. Roads are paved, two-lane, all-weather provincial highways subject to winter conditions, heavy snowfall, ice, and potential avalanche closures in the broader Skeena River corridor. Highway 37 intersects nearby, providing access south to Kitimat (approx. 60 km) and north to the Stewart-Cassiar highway system.
Nearest Airport:
The nearest commercial airport is Northwest Regional Airport Terrace-Kitimat (YXT), located approximately 20 km southwest of Gitaus. YXT features a 7,500-foot paved runway and provides daily scheduled passenger and air cargo services to Vancouver (YVR) via major regional carriers including Air Canada and Pacific Coastal Airlines. Rotary-wing and fixed-wing charter operations are also available at YXT and local Terrace bases.
Nearest Commercial Hub:
Terrace, BC, situated approximately 15 km west, serves as the local commercial, service, medical, and light industrial hub for Kitselas. For Tier-1 industrial support, heavy equipment distribution, and specialized logistics, Prince George, BC is the primary major regional center, located approximately 560 km east along Highway 16.
Marine & Rail:
CN Rail’s main transcontinental rail line runs directly through Kitselas traditional territory along the Skeena River valley, linking regional industry to national rail networks. The Port of Prince Rupert, a major deep-water ice-free seaport, is located approximately 140 km west via Highway 16. The Port of Kitimat is accessible roughly 60 km south via Highway 37.
Geographic & Logistical Notes:
Kitselas First Nation holds constitutional Section 35 rights and is advanced in the BC Treaty Commission process toward a Final Agreement. Contractors and developers must engage in early consultation, adhere to local impact benefit protocols, and prioritize Kitselas-affiliated businesses and labor. Key operational risks include heavy seasonal precipitation, localized Skeena River flooding, freeze-thaw road weight restrictions, and high commercial traffic volumes linked to major energy and infrastructure projects in the region.