On-Reserve Land Code

ISKUT BAND MEMBERSHIP VOTE YES TO ISKUT ON RESERVE LAND CODE

195 ballots cast [35.85% of eligible voters voted] and 170 voting YES [87.18% in favour] and 25 voting NO to the Iskut On Reserve Land Code.

Iskut Band Chief and Council would like to thank everyone who exercised their right to vote.

No matter how each of us voted, we remain one family, and we are strongest when we move forward together with unity, respect, and care for one another.

>>> Land Code Certification – Iskut First Nation 
>>> Effective Confirmation

Under the Indian Act, the federal government has control over how reserve lands are managed.

A Land Code places decision-making in the hands of the Nation, allowing full independence.

With a Land Code in place:

  1. Our Band will make our own land-related decisions, not the federal government.
  2. Our members will help guide how lands are used and protected.
  3. Our cultural values will shape the rules that govern our reserve lands.

Developing a Land Code is a major milestone on the path to self-governance. It enables a First Nation to opt out of the 44 land management sections of the Indian Act, gaining greater control over how reserve lands are managed.

For the Iskut Band, creating an On-Reserve Land Code would mean the ability to govern our reserve lands and natural resources according to our own laws, policies, and priorities—free from the constraints of the Indian Act.

In short, adopting an On-Reserve Land Code provides several cultural, economic, environmental and governance benefits.

Here’s what it means for us:

  1. More access to funding for land management
  2. Better ability to make decisions and create laws that reflect our needs and members’ best interests
  3. Greater ability to protect the environment and natural resources through regulating hunting and fishing
  4. Ability to designate archaeological sites and enforce protection laws
  5. Ability to encourage more economic development and investment through simpler processes
  6. More efficient decision-making around land use
  7. Increased community involvement on land management and development

Adopting an On-Reserve Land Code requires community approval through a voting process. In 2017, Iskut Band Council drafted an On-Reserve Land Code. While the majority of voters supported it on voting day, it did not pass because the minimum voter turnout was not met.

Now, Iskut Band Council is updating the existing Land Code document and preparing to bring it forward once again for a community vote in May 2026. If the On-Reserve Land Code passes on voting day, the federal government will no longer have a say in how our community’s reserve lands are managed.

Developing an On-Reserve Land Code is a community-driven process. In the coming months, members will be asked to share input, attend meetings and ultimately vote on whether to approve the On-Reserve Land Code.

How You Can Get Involved:

1. Read the On-Reserve Land Code Summary and Full Document: Land Code Summary (Updated Jan 26, 2026) & Land Code Full Document (Final draft, updated Mar 25)

2. Past Virtual Town Halls:

Topic Introduction to On-Reserve Land Code | See Slides Here
Date & Time January 21, 2026 | 7:00 – 8:00 PM (Vancouver Time)
Topic Introduction to Land Code – Continued | See Slides Here
Date & Time February 4, 2026 | 7:00 – 8:00 PM (Vancouver Time)
Q&A summary Access here
Topic How Land Will Be Managed and Administered | See Slides Here
Date & Time February 18, 2026 | 7:00 – 8:00 PM (Vancouver Time)
Q&A summary Access here
Topic On-Reserve Land Laws, Meetings and Votes | See Slides Here
Date & Time March 4, 2026 | 7:00 – 8:00 PM (Vancouver Time)
Q&A summary N/A
Topic Protection of the On-Reserve Land and Resources
Date & Time March 25, 2026 | 7:00 – 8:00 PM (Vancouver Time)
Q&A summary N/A
Topic Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment | See Slides here
Date & Time April 1, 2026 | 7:00 – 8:00 PM (Vancouver Time)
Q&A summary Access here
Topic Community Vote | See Slides Here
Date & Time April 15, 2026 | 7:00 – 8:00 PM (Vancouver Time)
Q&A summary N/A
Topic Overview of Land Code documents | See Slides Here
Date & Time April 22, 2026 | 7:00 – 8:00 PM (Vancouver Time)
Q&A summary N/A
Topic What is Individual Agreement? | See Slides Here
Date & Time April 29, 2026 | 7:00 – 8:00 PM (Vancouver Time)
Q&A summary N/A
Topic Have any remaining questions about the On-Reserve Land Code before the vote? | See Slides Here
Date & Time May 6, 2026 | 7:00 – 8:00 PM (Vancouver Time)
Q&A summary N/A

3. On-Site Engagement Sessions: An engagement tour is being planned to connect with Iskut Members about the Iskut On-Reserve Land Code in locations where a high percentage of our Members reside. Stay tuned for more updates! 

All Members both on and off reserve are invited to attend. Information about the locations and schedule will be updated soon!

4. Voting Day (May 13-14, 2026): To bring the On-Reserve Land Code into effect, members must vote “Yes” or “No” on whether to approve it.

Everyone who is 18 or older and a registered member can vote.

In 2017, the Iskut First Nation held a community vote on adopting a Land Code.

Voting Results

  • A total of 179 members voted, representing 32% of registered voters.
  • 114 members voted “Yes.”
  • To pass, the number of “Yes” votes had to meet a minimum requirement of 140. 
  • Because this minimum threshold was not met, the Land Code did not pass.

This result showed that more community awareness and clearer communication were needed around the Land Code process and the importance of voting.

What We Learned

1. The Need for Clearer Messaging

Community feedback indicated that the term “Land Code” was confusing for some members and led to misunderstandings about what it meant.

Going forward, it is important to clearly communicate that:

  • This is an on-reserve Land Code for Iskut.
  • It is not intended to affect rights and title.
  • It will replace specific sections of the Indian Act and change how certain land-related decisions are made within the community.

2. Improving How Information Is Shared

During the 2017 process, communication channels were limited:

  • There were no social media pages or email lists to share updates.
  • Information was mainly posted on the website, which many members did not regularly check.
  • Community members shared that social media and direct updates are more effective ways to stay informed, especially through trusted community platforms.

3. Strengthening Community Participation

Member participation was not emphasized enough in the previous process. We learned that:

  • It is important to clearly communicate that voting and participation matter.
  • Members need more opportunities and reminders to participate, ask questions, and share feedback.

Important Links
  1. FAQs (updated Feb 2, 2026)
  2. Land Code Summary (Updated Jan 26, 2026)
  3. Land Code Full Document (Final draft, updated Mar 25)
  4. Land Code One-Pager (Updated Mar 21, 2026)
  5. Iskut First Nation | Community Ratification Process (signed Mar 19, 2026)
  6. Individual Agreement on First Nation Land Management Between Iskut First Nation and His Majesty the King in Right of Canada
Voting package
  1. Cover Letter Iskut Referendum 2026
  2. Notice of Vote Iskut Referendum 2026
  3.  Voter Information Package Iskut Referendum

Summaries
  1. Summary of Iskut On-Reserve Land Code
  2. Summary of Community Ratification Process (CRP)
  3. Summary of Land Code Individual Agreement (IA)

For more information, please contact Feddie Louie at Louie.feddie@gmail.com