Lheidli T'enneh: 778 members (Registered)

Both speak Carrier

Name translations:

Lhtako Dene: 'Where the three rivers meet’

Lheidli: “The People from the Confluence of the River" T'enneh: “The People”

Lheidli T'enneh is divided into four clans, the Frog, Grouse, Beaver and Bear. Lheidli

T'enneh members traditionally spoke the Carrier language; it is unknown how many community members speak the language today.

The Lheidli T'enneh, like many other Indigenous nations, have a traditional clan system that plays a significant role in their social and cultural structure. Though information specific to the Lheidli T'enneh's clan system is limited in publicly available resources, many Indigenous nations of the Dakelh (Carrier) people, of which the Lheidli T'enneh are a part, follow a matrilineal clan system. This means clan membership is passed down through the mother's lineage.

The Chief and Councillors are trustees with a fiduciary responsibility to act in the best interests of Lheidli T’enneh. Councillors cannot spend First Nation monies for their own benefit.

Lheidli T'enneh name means: "The people from the confluence of two rivers"

The traditional names of the places within this region reflect the natural environment and culture performed in this region.

Location:

This territory is located in Prince George between two Rivers, and Nechako River.

People here lived in villages along rivers, which are useful for their daily activities like hunting and fishing.

Treaty Process: The Lheidli T’enneh were involved in the British Columbia Treaty Process, and in 2006, they became the first First Nation in the province to initial a treaty under this modern process. Although the treaty was rejected by members in a 2007 vote, the Lheidli T’enneh continue to negotiate for self-governance and greater control over their lands and resources.

The Regional Chief provides the political leadership and activities for the BCAFN, and is elected to this role by the BC First Nations Chiefs for a term of three years. BCAFN is further governed by a Board of five directors, elected to three-year staggered terms. Each board member is a Chief or designate for their First Nation community. BCAFN hosts a Special Chiefs Assembly and an Annual General Assembly every spring and fall which allow for BC First Nations leadership to engage in open socio-political discussions in order to provide community-driven directives to the Regional Chief through resolution.