This project covers phase one of a long-term goal to develop a commercial sector in Kitamaat Village, and has been identified as the main development priority of the community. There is no area in the village suitable for individual commercial ventures and the capital costs required to develop land discourages individual entrepreneurs from coming forward. The design phase includes the drafting of a master land use plan and assessments by geotechnical, hydrotechnical and environmental consultants and the completion of a detailed design of the Wathl Creek Commercial Area. Kitamaat Village Council experienced some major delays (originally approved in March 2000) with this project due largely to questions about the ownership of a portion of the land included in the project, and difficulty in securing substantial contributing funds.

The Haisla Kitamaat Heritage Corridor project involves development of a "corridor" throughout Kitamaat Village that highlights touristic assets such as a community garden, community green house, community smoke house, and the Haisla Art Gallery (Haisla School). The corridor will provide an opportunity for visitors to discover the culture, heritage and traditions of the Haisla Nation. The main goal of the project is to involve as many Haisla people as possible and provide jobs and economic spin-offs throughout the community.

The marina is a focal point of the community, for traditional and commercial activities, but it was in urgent need of upgrades to meet the needs of modern fishing and tourism operators. This project brought electrical service, lights, fresh water and new decking to the floats and wharf and is an excellent example of NKDF funds being used to improve public infrastructure to increase economic opportunity. Skeena Native Development Society paid for the labour and 16/37 Community Futures Development Corporation shared the capital costs with the NKDF. 16/37 also approved a loan to enable the Harbour Authority to purchase a revenue-generating crane for moving freight between the boats and the wharf. The Village Council contributed the project management costs.

Many of BC?s Coastal communities are exploring how they can enter the lucrative shellfish farming industry. In order to do so, the area waters must be tested for biotoxins and other contaminants to make sure the water quality is acceptable. NKDF directors approved this funding for a two-year water-testing program near Kitamaat Village that could attract private investment in shellfish aquaculture. The Society with the required expertise to design this project is based in Prince Rupert but they sub-contract the work to a Kitamaat-based crew and project manager.

This project has seen the negotiation of new partnerships and joint ventures for forest business development, creating prospects for significant employment for the Haisla people. The project builds on Alcan?s agreement to transfer forested land in Minette Bay to the Haisla Nation. Matching funding was from the Economic Measures Fund of BC?s Treaty Negotiation Office.

This project included training Haisla people in Eco-tourism, coaching them through the start-up of new small businesses, and improving infrastructure for eco-tourism and cultural tourism. This was the first time NKDF was been asked to partner with private foundation funding and the second funding partnership with Skeena Native Development Society.

Kitamaat Village was well positioned to participate in BC?s Northern Winter Games held in Kitimat in February 2004, but their gym urgently needed new flooring and the heating system needed repairs. The offer made by the NKDF to cover those two costs unleashed a flurry of community spirit, where dozens of people of all ages showed up for weeks, dismantling the old floor and bleachers, painting all the walls and getting the new flooring installed just in time for the Games. The proud community and the new floor were featured in the television and newspaper coverage of the subsequent games. This 30-year old building serves as the only indoor recreation area for the school and the village as a whole. It is also used for training, political meetings and large community gatherings. In its previous condition it could not generate revenue nor be used year-round.

This project was to assist with building capacity within the Haisla First Nation in the science and technical field, where lack of capacity has been an ongoing barrier. The project entailed a selected Haisla member with post-secondary science courses spending an allotted amount of time job shadowing with the Environmental Manager and time in Smithers working on various projects learning the inner workings of the Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection. The funding is to pay for boat costs for the selected recipient?s travel to and from work sites. The project did not reach the agreement stage as conditions were not met.

The goal of this project was to purchase SCUBA gear and provide the training for four Haisla members to become Certified Scuba Divers. The certification is designed to provide all the training, experience and gear necessary to put the graduates to work in the Scuba Diving profession and to capitalize on employment opportunities with Alcan, Eurocan, Forestry and Fisheries.

Northwest Tribal Treaty Nations hosted two investment forums with the purpose of developing a Northern Region First Nation?s Economic Strategy. One forum was held in Terrace and one in Smithers. The NKDF investment was specifically to encourage the participation and support the travel costs to the Terrace forum for representatives of the NKDF investment area communities. No funding was drawn down for this project.

Kitamaat Village Council and Haisla Fisheries Commission have established shellfish test sites with the intention of developing a shellfish business in the area. Due to the high salinity of the Douglas Channel the sites must be located many miles from Kitamaat. The purpose of this project was to construct two additional rafts and purchase some necessary equipment for the project, including a suitable boat with which to safely access the experimental plots. Aside from safety, this project linked to economic development by making it possible for Haisla to compete for a variety of employment opportunities in the Kitamaat area, including research, fishery and forestry contracts.

The goal of this project is to promote and raise funds for the eventual building of the Haisla Cultural?Governance Building. The project, a partnership between Na Na Kila Institute and the Haisla Totem Pole Committee, will include a small contingency of Haisla representatives to travel and meet with various funding agencies, with the goal of attracting funding for the building of the Haisla Cultural?Governance Building. It is expected that the building, once created, will bring increased visitation and economic benefits to Kitamaat area and BC?s northwest.

The proponent established a local radio station in Kitamaat Village, with the help of the Northern Native Broadcasting network. The purpose of the project was to create a communication vehicle that would pass on community news and notices, serve as an interactive vehicle for band members to communicate with public decision-makers, and allow cultural heritage programming with the objective of maintaining and revitalizing Haisla identity. NKDF provided funding for capital costs and Kitamaat Village Council provided the remainder of funding for the project.

As a part of its plan to develop a sustainable economic base, the Haisla First Nation has identified ecotourism and soft adventure tourism as a significant economic sector that will contribute to the First Nation?s broader economic and community development goals. As a part of this strategy, the Haisla plan to build a high-end RV Park adjacent to the MK Bay Marina currently owned and operated by the District of Kitimat. The project is anticipated to benefit the Haisla people by providing employment for public works staff and community members to build the infrastructure and facilities, and on-going employment of an estimated 2-3 people to run the business. The approval was replaced by a subsequent decision by the NKDF Board.

As a part of its plan to develop a sustainable economic base, the Haisla First Nation has identified ecotourism and soft adventure tourism as a significant economic sector that will contribute to the First Nation?s broader economic and community development goals. As a part of this strategy, the Haisla plan to build a high-end RV Park adjacent to the MK Bay Marina currently owned and operated by the District of Kitimat. The project is anticipated to benefit the Haisla people by providing employment for public works staff and community members to build the infrastructure and facilities, and on-going employment of an estimated 2-3 people to run the business. The RV Park concept proved not to be feasible; the project did not go as far as completing a business plan.

The purpose of this project was to assist with renovations to C?imo?ca Childcare Centre in Kitamaat Village. C?imo?ca provides the Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youth (HIPPY) program to members of Haisla Nation. In order to create a healthy and effective environment for staff, parents and children, the centre required upgrades to the facility, including increasing the office space, removal of carpeting in the play area, increasing the kitchen area, closing off the infant/toddler washroom from the pubic, and purchase of office equipment.

A number of BC?s Coastal communities are exploring how they can enter the lucrative shellfish farming industry. In order to do so, the area waters must be tested for biotoxins and other contaminants to make sure the water quality is acceptable. NCWQBPS has successfully completed a two-year water-testing program near Kitamaat Village that could attract private investment in shellfish aquaculture. The purpose of this project was to continue the testing for one more year, but also to double the number of testing stations. NCWQBPS, the Society with the necessary expertise to design this project, is based in Prince Rupert but they sub-contract the work to a Kitamaat-based crew. This project is a step toward removing a barrier to advancing shellfish development in the Haisla territory.

This funding approval did not progress to the agreement stage and no funding was drawn, due to a subsequent decision by the NKDFS Board.

The purpose of this project was to undertake the preliminary phases of the research that the proponent believes will culminate in the development of a deep water break bulk port facility on the Kitimat waterfront. The project objectives include identifying regional products flows, identifying commodities and major shippers, surveying various shipping and handling technologies, developing conceptual transport systems, consulting with the major shippers, assessing the shipper?s infrastructure environment, and reviewing environmental issues at the port site. NKDF assisted with phase I of the project, which led to the creation of the Kitamaat Port Development Society.

Kitamaat Village Council plans to start a band-owned construction business to serve clients in Kitamaat Village and the greater Kitimat area. The purpose of the business is to: a) create meaningful employment opportunity for Haisla band members, and b) provide surpluses to KVC to use for sustainable capacity development, and c) serve as a demonstration project to model a business success for the community. The business will provide the following services: renovation and construction of earth-based structures, basements, drain tile and septic systems, retaining walls, driveways and ditching, culverts, and general site remediation. NKDF funding is to assist with the purchase of the needed equipment for the project. A key to this approval was the proponents commitment to invest any surpluses back into capacity building for Haisla Band members.

NKDF approved funding assistance for capital costs for this project. The purpose of the project is to hire and train an archival assistant to go through files, determine what?s worth keeping, create duplicate hard copies and digital copies and purge all irrelevant information. The funding is for supplies, computer hardware and software, CD storage discs, photocopying, and fire proof file cabinets

NKDF approved funding to assist with of the development of a business case for a marine ferry service between Kitamaat Village and a number of smaller, remote coastal communities. The funding is to help with determining feasibility for the project.

Gya'Wa'Tlaab Healing Centre Society is located in Kitamaat Village and has a mandate to help addicts who have failed other treatments. NKDF approved funding for a feasibility study to assist with determining and defining an economic case for the project. This project is a partnership involving Kitamaat Village Council and NKDF.

Kitamaat Village Council plans to build a tourism business using strategic assets and strengths - traditional territory, Kowesas Lodge and cabins, and the Haisla Nation boat. The goals of this project are: to prepare the Haisla Nation to transport tourism traffic, make improvements to Kowesas Lodge, interest Haisla band members in working in the tourism industry, develop training and coaching packages for workers, to test different tourism packages, to fine-tune the tourism offering and, after a suitable period of testing, to implement the business plan.

In 2008, KVC constructed a new administration building. With this project, NKDF approved funding to assist with paving the parking lot and installation of a side walk, a welcome sign and landscaping for the new administration building.

Kitamaat Village Council will make improvements to the Recreation Centre, including replacement of the boiler, repairs to the kitchen, replacing the toilet, putting down new flooring in the main entrance, and enhancement of the main entrance. Built 35 years ago, the building is a main hub of activities in the Village, used as a gymnasium for the school, by the elders walking club, basketball tournaments, workshops, festival hall and other cultural gatherings such as Gathering of Nations, weddings, and community meetings. This retrofit will reduce fuel costs and conserve the amount of energy required to keep the building operational.

With this project, Kitamaat Village Council will make improvements to the soccer field, including refurbishing the changing room, replacing the existing wood fence, levelling the ground and installing new bleachers. The field is used for soccer, lacrosse, football, and track and field, as well as a number of celebratory events, including the Music and Friend Music Festival.