Takla Lake First Nation

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Takla Lake Nation is a Carrier First Nation based around Takla Lake, 400km north of Prince George, British Columbia. The main community is at the north end of Takla Lake, but the band services 17 reserves totaling 809 hectares. Takla Lake First Nation has approximately 650 members. It was created by the amalgamation of the Takla Lake and Fort Connelly bands in 1959.

[edit] Facilities

The main Takla reserve has a number of facilities

• band office
• community hall
• teacherages
• health clinic
• church
• elders centre
• gym
• baseball field

The community is also home to the Nuswadeezulh Community School, offering Kindergarten to grade 10, as well as adult education and alternate education classes. Nuswadeezulh means "Looking into the Future."

An RCMP detachment was established by agreement with Takla First Nation and opened in October 1999. The detachment has two designated native police officers and one corporal NCO in charge.

Takla Lake is accessible by an unpaved forestry road. Postal service is available at Takla Lake with mail pick-up and delivery once per week. Electicity has been provided since 1985. Previously, the only the school, health station and band office had electricity provided by diesel generators. Telephone and internet service has recently been switched from residential Telus lines to satellite service.

[edit] Governance and Culture

Takla Lake First Nation has one chief and four council members, all elected by the community.

The Takla Lake people currently speak predominantly English and the Babine dialect of Babine-Witsuwit'en, locally referred to as "Carrier". Until recently, many people also spoke Sekani. Their traditions and culture are often rooted in the potlatch system, still practiced today within the Takla Lake community. For instance, the potlatch involves each of the Takla Lake clans: bear/wolf, frog, caribou, and beaver. When a potlatch is called in honour of one clan, another clan will host it, and all clans will gather together. Takla Lake people are matriarchal, thus the clan is passed down from the mother's side. Another important ceremony involves funeral rites that include the passing of names and the completion of a grieving period.

Traditional skills of tanning hides, sewing, and beading of traditional garments have been maintained to a high degree. Elders are held in high esteem in the community, considered to be an important resource, and play an active role in the community.

First Nations of the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council

Burns Lake Indian Band | Nadleh Whut'en First Nation | Nak'azdli Indian Band | Saik'uz First Nation | Stellat'en First Nation | Takla Lake First Nation | Tl'azt'en Nation | Wet'suwet'en First Nation