First of its Kind: Tŝilhqot’in Title Land Rangers Prepare to Launch in Unprecedented Role as Guardians of Title Land

Williams Lake, B.C: The Tŝilhqot’in National Government and the Xeni Gwet’in First Nation proudly announce the launch of its expanded Title Land Ranger program, now including 12 well trained Land Rangers from four Tŝilhqot’in communities. They will be covering the entire Declared Title Area, as defined by the Supreme Court of Canada decision of 2014, which recognized Aboriginal Title for the first time in Canadian history.

The Title Land Rangers will join a growing host of land guardians across the country and will be responsible for engaging and educating the public about the Nation’s land values, monitoring activities on the land and water, assisting with tourist information, conducting land restoration work, and assisting with emergency response efforts where needed. The Rangers have been in intensive training for the last 3 months and will have their official launch on July 1, 2017 with a celebration lunch being held June 29, 2017.

Quotes:

Chief Joe Alphonse, Chief of Tl’etinqox First Nation and Tribal Chairman of the Tŝilhqot’in National

Government:

“We could not be more proud to be asserting our inherent Aboriginal Rights and Title in a way that will be visible to not only the public, but to our people as well. The steps we are taking now to assert control and protection of our lands and resources will guide and shape the future for our next generation. This is an unbelievably exciting time to have world class trained Rangers on the land, providing pride and hope for our people that things are finally changing. And this is just the beginning.”

Chief Roger William, Chief of Xeni Gwet’in First Nation and Vice Tribal Chairman of the Tŝilhqot’in National

Government:

“The Supreme Court of Canada decision of 2014 recognized something that our people have always known. We have never surrendered our lands, title or rights. The Xeni Gwet’in peoples have been the caretakers of this area for the Tŝilhqot’in Nation since time immemorial. The Title Land Rangers are an example of our people continuing this tradition, and will provide an opportunity for the whole world to see how we carry this responsibility. We are honored and proud of our Rangers as they carry on the traditions of our ancestors as protectors of this land and all that live on it.”

Media Contact:

Graham Gillies

Communications Manager and Strategic Initiatives ggillies@tsilhqotin.ca

604-779-4221

NT5