Nisga’a Ts’amiks Organization Summary
1.0 Background
The Nisga’a people have lived on British Columbia’s northwest coast since before recorded time. Long enough to see their culture thrive adapt and endure.The Nass River flows through a land of sacred mountains and dense forest on Canada’s Pacific Coast. The Nisga’a Nation includes over 6000 people residing the communities of Gingolx, Laxgalts’ap, Gitwinksihlkw, and Gitlakdamix –and across North America. In Nisga’a culture, traditional authority and the ability to govern originates from the connection between families and communities, and their land and resources.
The Nisga’a Ts’amiks Society was incorporated on November 27, 2000 and its office is situated in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver. Nisga’a Ts’amiks represents approximately 1,400 Nisga’a citizens whose ordinary residence is within the greater Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo regions of BC and provide services to Nisga’a living on Vancouver Island and southern British Columbia from the Pacific coast to the BC/Alberta border.
2.0 Mandate
Our mandate is to provide liaison and contact between the Nisga’a Lisims Government, along with other Nisga’a agencies, and Nisga’a citizens ordinarily residing in the Greater Vancouver, Victoria and Nanaimo regions of British Columbia, as well as to deliver social services and promote individual, family and community wellness for Nisga’a citizens living within our boundary.
3.0 Mission
To enhance the social, economic, physical, cultural and spiritual well being of Nisga’a citizens whose ordinary residence is within the Lower Mainland of British Columbia or the greater Victoria or Nanaimo areas of Vancouver Island.
4.0 Activities
Our activities are organized into four departments:
• Community Services
• Community Programs
• Community Development
• Administration
4.1 Community Services include:
a. Encouraging appropriate participation in Nisga’a cultural and community events.
b. Supporting Pastoral care to the community.
c. Other services that facilitate more active participation of members and strengthen their understanding of their history, traditions, culture and language.
4.2 Community Programs include:
a. Cultural events and celebrations.
b. Integrated community based language education processes.
c. Supporting youth participation in Nisga’a national events such as canoe journeys and preparation.
d. Supporting community initiatives that are working towards our shared vision and goals.
4.3 Community Development includes:
a. Youth Participation in Community Development and Decision Making (including Youth Council)
b. Elder Council support and development
c. Education (Grants and Community Education Activities)
d. Recreation (NCSI and Community Recreation Activities)
e. Community Economic Development Community Center Development (a home away from home for Nisga’a living in the Lower Mainland)g. Supporting community initiatives that are working towards our shared vision and goals.
4.4 Administration includes:
a. Support to Governance
b. Administration support to operations