Xeni Gwet'in First Nations Government is one of six Tsilhqot'in communities that form the Tsilhqot'in National Government.? Xeni or Tsilhqot'in never made or signed any treaty with BC, Canada, or any Crown Government.? Xeni and Tsilhqot'in Nation are not in the BC Treaty Process, we will not ever give up or extinguish our rights and or title to this Tsilhqot'in Land.
Xeni Gwet'in is located 145 miles north west of Williams Lake and from Lee's Corner to Xeni (Nemiah Valley) you will find 75 miles of gravel road heading into the Valley.? There is no hydro in Xeni and that is the beauty of it all.? Xeni (Nemiah) is the heart of British Columbia.? It is the most beautiful country in the Cariboo Chilcotin, it has lots to offer to the people of Xeni and surrounding communities and to the tourist.
Xeni Gwet'in (Nemiah Valley) has snow cap mountains surrounding the Valleys and outside the Valleys.? The view itself will astound you as Xeni has a one 50-mile lake and three six-mile lakes.? In addition, there are other smaller lakes all over the valley, in and outside.? There are creeks and streams throughout the Valley.
There are two rivers in Xeni, the Taseko River and the Henry's Crossing Chilko River.? In the summer the people of Xeni move to the rivers to catch spring salmon and salmon to dry and store it for winter.? Today people of Xeni have gained knowledge of new technology, so salmon, moose, and deer meat are canned and stored for the winter as well.
Throughout the Xeni territory there is various wild game in the hills and as far up to the mountains.? There is moose, deer, black bears, grizzly bears, cougar, mountain lion, bighorn sheep, mountain goats and many wild horses and etc...? There are various berries to pick and store for winter and many plants to use for medicine.
The Tsilhqot'in people of Xeni are very strong in living in their traditional and cultural ways and speak their language fluently.? Through the younger generation, the language is being lost, but they have great knowledge of their traditional and cultural ways.? The elders and community members were very concerned, so the Chilcotin (Tsilhqot'in) Immersion School and Daycare which is done in Tsilhqot'in only was put up in Xeni.? These programs will bring the Tsilhqot'in language back in Xeni.
Most of the community members are ranchers.? The hunting and fishing is a year round activity for the members.? A few Xeni members own guiding areas.? Xeni has two large trapping areas, which they are trying to protect from logging.
The main goal for the Xeni Gwet'in is to keep the beauty of the land and keep the air, water clean.? The people of Xeni have many opportunities to start their own business right in the Valley through economic development, tourism, trail riding, river rafting, and etc...? as they have all the resources that are needed.
The Xeni Gwet'in are blessed that the creator has given them such a beautiful land.? The Nemiah people have total respect for the land as it provides food for them and a healthy environment.? The Xeni Gwet'in (Nemiah Valley) will make sure that the land keeps its beauty for the younger generations and in return they will hand it down to the next generation.
Today Xeni Gwet'in is hooked up to the phone system, the offices, school, and homes are all being hooked up since December 2000.? Xeni Gwet'in 1st Nations Government had been pushing for phone system for years, Xeni Gwet'in Enterprise Manager pushed long and hard to make this happen.? With BC Government, DIA, and Telus Phone Company, phones became reality in Xeni (Nemiah).? Internet is now available to Xeni Gwet'ins.? Green Energy Power is being looked at by Xeni Gwet'in, five year project.? Feasibility on wind mill and water turbine started in year 2000.?
Maintained by the People of Nemiah