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This project is one that has taken many years to come to be. It began with the 1995 Accord of Recognition and Respect between the Gitxsan Nation and the Province of British Columbia. In that agreement there was a clause that sought to give the Gitxsan Nation road access to the upper Northeastern section of Gitxsan Lax yip now known as Bear Lake. From there to 1999 the Gitxsan Government Commission picked up on this idea again with talk of the Kemess Connector road. This project was not accepted at first but last year a revised project with the goal of engaging the Gitxsan on this issue in the preplanning and preparation.

As a result a work plan has been prepared for the project from now until March 2004. The plan involves a working group of the Suu Wii Aaxs people, Takla Band, the Gitxsan Treaty Society (as facilitators) and Carrier Sekani Tribal Council.

The goals are to get road access to Bear Lake, via discussions of surveying work done to date. The Simgigyet of the Huwilp will chose the road site based on discussions and then another cultural assessment will be undertaken to ensure that it will be a good site for the road. Get that watershed table activated by setting in motion a training and capacity plan for members of the Suu Wii Aaks watershed table. Explore potential resource economic opportunities in this area for the Huwilp of that watershed.

The Simgigyet of the Huwilp in this watershed will be the decision makers of this process with the funding set for the next two years. There will be one page communication sheet sent out to update on progress on this project as well as community information sessions each year in Takla, Bear Lake and here in Hazelton. This year they will be held on May 20,2003 in Takla, May 21,2003 in Bear Lake, and May 27, 2003 here in Hazelton. Notices will be sent to the Chiefs for the meeting location nearest them.

It is important to note that this project in no way supports the KEMESS connector project but is intended to occur prior to that project and allows for First Nations input and direction. It will form a relationship building process for First Nations and the Ministry of Energy & Mines.