Update from Kūkwpi7 Mike Leach, SCC Chair

Message to St'át'imc

I would like to give you an update on the happenings since the yes vote and my last update on April 15th. The agreement has passed another couple milestones such as the resolution of the appeals period and the signing of the agreements. There have been a lot of discussions and movement around governance and how the Chiefs will continue to work together and strengthen unity in the years ahead.

It was a blessing to be at the St'át'imc Gathering this year in Tsalalh. It was especially powerful this year as it marked the 100 year anniversary of the 1911 Declaration. As planned we signed the agreements on May 10th 2011in Tsalalh and will be organizing a celebratory ceremony in the near future, to commemorate the signing of the agreements and our achievements to date as a people. The SCC will inform you as to the date, time and location for the celebrations. In this regard I would like at this time to give you the people a special thanks regardless of your decision on April 9, 2011. It is time to move on and look forward towards a better future for all.

The St'át'imc chiefs will continue to come together to discuss governance and implement the transition from an organization to a Statimc Government. We still have a lot of work ahead of us and there are still many decisions to be made. The Chiefs have met a number of times since the historic yes vote and we have discussed a number of issues, some relating to the agreements, governance and the Trust and other topics such as health.

As I mentioned in my last update, we'll continue to meet on a regular basis, and we'll be working very hard on transforming our organization into a government of the people, now that the agreements are signed. In the next 60 days we'll be communicating with you more often as we implement the agreements with respect to training, jobs, and work on setting up the Trust. I ask for your patience as we want to ensure the agreements are being implemented in a manner consistent with the best interest of all Statimc.  It is important at this time that your community consider and appoint a member to the Trust Board. As stated during the information sessions this agreement is community based and is about you and all Statimc People. I invite you to get involved any way you can as we move forward together.

If you have any questions, please contact me at my personal email,mpl117@gmail.com,  or call us at the office. Our phone numbers and contact information is available here: http://www.statimchydro.ca/about-us/contact-us

Thank you again for your support, all my relations, towards Unity.

Kūkwpi7 Mike Leach, SCC Chair