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THE KITASOO/XAIXAIS NATION AND THE COMMUNITY OF KLEMTU

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Important Membership Notice

Off-reserve members please forword your address to Lorraine Robinson at kitasoomembership@hotmail.com or phone the Band office during office hours at (250) 839-1255. This is needed as soon as possible for the upcoming by-election 2008 for one council member.

Notice from the Chief Electoral Officer

About Klemtu and the Kitasoo/Xaixais People

Klemtu is a small village on Swindle Island, situated on the province's spectacularly beautiful central coast. Two distinct tribal organizations live here: the Kitasoo who were originally from Kitasu Bay and the Xai'xais of Kynoc Inlet. The Kitasoo/Xai'xais people are the only permanent residents within the traditional territories of the First Nation.

The Kitasoo/Xai'xais Nation has a total membership of approximately 460 people. The population of the community has doubled in the past two decades and is expected to continue growing at that same rate.

For years, the mainstay of the Kitasoo/Xai'xais economy was commercial and food fishing. However, the severe downturn in fish stocks has had a devastating impact on employment levels. To cope with this situation, the Kitasoo/Xai'xais felt it was imperative to diversify their economy. They are now turning to tourism, aquaculture and forestry to create employment opportunities for their people.

While deeply aware of the need to provide jobs for their people, the Kitasoo/Xai'xais also embrace the important environmental, cultural and ecological values of their territory. They want to protect fish and wildlife habitats, including that of the Kermode White Bear, flora, and all the other important elements of a forest's ecosystem. They wish to preserve their cultural values as well. Their task is to balance the ecological values with the rights and needs of their community for economic health, including lasting job creation.