Welcome to Yunesit’in

Yunesit’in is one of the six communities within the Tsilhqot’in Nation. As a vision developed by the community, it is expressed that:

Yunesit’in, the people, are part of the Tsilhoqot’in Nation. The community is situated along the Southern side of the Tsilhqox River.

Our spiritual relationship to the land is tied to our ancestral stories. Lhin Desch’oysh represents our people as it describes our relationship to the animals, explains how the land was shaped, and teaches the basis of our laws. Our Diyen, those who have powers drawn from the land, have gifts that help people.

Each successive generation, every family, has shared the longstanding knowledge of how to live from the land. This wisdom is provided for us so we may be responsible for the future generations.

Our people come from many origins. Yunesit’in is home because we are tied to raising our families close to the culture and land that provides a livelihood.

As a community, we are strong, proud people who value the land in providing healthy food to hunt and fish. Our people are hardworking individuals. We have raised our families with the expectation of becoming healthy people.

Our community and nation is unique in respect to its special relationship with horses. Horses remain a foundation of our culture.

Yunesit’in is a place of beauty. We move forward together, in healing, making positive changes to ensure our children and future generations may lead a healthy life.

Housing Update – November 2022


Photo by Shannon Lough

1. Ashley Quilt has served Yunesit’in Government as the Housing Manager for 1 year. Her role has served in continuing a connection with the Tsilhqot’in Nation Housing Authority, overseeing New Housing and Renovations and following the Yunesit’in Housing Policy.

2. Russell Myers Ross is serving in an advisory capacity to assist the Housing Manager and Yunesit’in Council. Much of the work is focused on maintaining the Housing Strategic Plan and Housing Policy, fostering partnerships, and implementing planning activities.

3. The Housing Committee is an elected group with a Terms of Reference to provide an Advisory role to the Yunesit’in Council and provide recommendations regarding the New Housing Applications and Renovations process. The Housing Committee includes: Beverly Quilt, Rebecca Billyboy, Joanna Haines, Agnes Haller and Dorothy Myers.

4. Ecotrust Canada Indigenous Homelands Initiative has worked with Yunesit’in Government on Forestry Analysis, developing the Yunesit’in Forest to Frame concept, and framing the Housing Strategic Plan for Yunesit’in. The consulting group is now assisting Yunesit’in Government with implementing the Housing Strategic Plan by focusing on (a) Housing Design and Construction Plan, (b) Monitoring and Evaluation, (c) Critical Infrastructure Assessment, (d) Strategic Vision Alignment, (e) Housing Ecosystem Coordination, and (f) Capacity Building.

See the Yunesit’in Project Monitoring & Evaluation Tool, which was developed to guide projects based on the community values:
https://ecotrust.ca/latest/research/yunesitin-first-nation-project-monitoring-evaluation-tool/

5. Since the Federal Government granted the Tsilhqot’in National Government $21.5 million in 2018, the distribution has finally been decided by nation leadership this spring. Yunesit’in Government has been granted $1.6 million for New Housing and $700,000 for Renovations. The Tsilhqot’in Nation Housing Authority has built a process whereby community require submitting a Project Plan before funding is released. Yunesit’in Government intends to use the New Housing Application and Renovations process outlined in the Yunesit’in Housing Policy to determine the distribution of these funds.

6. The New Housing Applications have been processed for the 2021-2022 fiscal year. The applicants are ranked based on scoring outlined in the Yunesit’in Housing Policy and a Priority List is developed. The Priority List is recommended by the Housing Committee and is approved by the Yunesit’in Council. The Housing Manager then works with the individuals to work through financial considerations, type of ownership, design and other expectations.

7. The Renovations process has yet to be developed for implementation but will be based on the guide and ranking system in the Yunesit’in Housing Policy. The Housing Committee will review candidates through a merit based system. Renovations thus far have been granted based on critical needs and Yunesit’in is just about to finish a CMHC grant to improve three homes and three other homes are slated for repair.

8. TNG Nation Housing Planning: Ecotrust Canada Indigenous Homelands Initiative is working on a Nation Housing Strategies based on the original work started by the Tsilhqot’in Solutions Lab, which was conducted with all communities. This is meant to help all communities get on the same page in terms of their collective vision, work towards better communication, and provide a path for further planning efforts, such as the 10 Year Implementation Plan. While the $21.5 million provided by the Federal government provides an investment, the Tsilhqot’in Nation will need to work together to secure stable funding for years to come to address the housing crisis.

Election Results 2022

Electoral Officer made a Statement of the Vote for Chief and Council on August 4, 2022 announcing the two candidates as Councillors to Yunesit’in Government.

Rosalie Montgomery 58 votes
Anthony Billyboy 55 votes

Honorable Mentions

Ellery Brigham 52 votes
Lee Myers 36 votes
Gabe Pukacz 34 votes
Ashley Quilt 27 votes
Loni Solomon 26 votes
Ralph Myers 20 votes

Notices have been mailed to electors off-reserve, following the Yunesit’in Custom Election Code.

Yunesit’in Election 2022

Post from the Election Officer: Notice of Election

CANDIDATES FOR COUNCIL:
ANTHONY BILLYBOY JR.
ELLERY BRIGHAM
LEE MYERS
RALPH MYERS
ROSALIE MONTGOMERY
GABE PUKACZ
ASHLEY QUILT
LONI SOLOMON

HOUSING COMMITTEE 4 – APPOINTED BY ACCLAMATION
REBECCA BILLYBOY
JOANNA HAINES
AGNES HALLER
BEVERLY QUILT

Yunesit’in Government will hold a General Voting day for the election of two (2) Councillors for a four-year term, in accordance with the Yunesit’in Goverment Custom Election Code (2007).

The four positions on the Housing Committee have been filled by Acclamation.

DATE: Thursday August 4, 2022

VOTING HOURS: 9:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.

LOCATION OF POLLS:

#l Yunesit’in Health Unit
6678 Taseko Rd

#2 Tsilhqot’in National Government
1729 South Lakeside Drive
Williams Lake, BC

See Documents for further information:

Statement Relating to the Posting of the

Notice of Election

Election 2022 – Housing Committee

YUNESIT’IN GOVERNMENT
NOTICE OF NOMINATION FOR 2022 HOUSING COMMITTE ELECTION

The nomination process for this election begins on May 20th
and concludes at 4:00 pm on June 22nd.

This election there are 4 positions vacant on the Housing Committee of which 3 with the most votes will be appointed for a 4 year term ending 2026, the 4th postion will be for 2 year term ending in 2024, to complete the remaining term of the deceased Housing Member.This election, as is the case with the Council election, is scheduled for Thursday, August 4th and will also be held at the Yunesit’in Health Centre from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Any Band member 18 years of age or older may nominate candidates by filling out the nomination form. A member may nominate not more than 2 candidates. An information package will be mailed to all band members for whom the band has a address. .

A nomination requires 3 supporters and the acceptance of the nominee. Failure to comply with all the rules and regulations, will void the nomination.

The nomination form with the names, telephone numbers Band Registration numbers and signatures of supporters along with the candidate’s completed declaration form must be received by Rhoda Petal, at the Band office or at Box 158, Hanceville, BC V0L 1K0 no later than Wednesday, June 22nd at 4:00 pm.

All candidates must be a member of the Yunesit’in Government; be at least 18 years old; be in good financial standing with the Government and Housing Department; and agree to follow the Housing Department’s terms of reference and policies, both which are available at the Band office.

Please direct any and all questions regarding these elections to the Electoral Officer at the contact information below.

The list of all candidates nominated will be posted at the office on June 29th, and a copy of the voter list, the committee terms of reference and the housing policy will be available there. Please be advised that any elector may vote by mail-in ballot by contacting the Electoral Officer.

Given under my hand at Prince George, BC, this 20th day of May, 2022.

Loreen Suhr Electoral Officer
phone 1-250-613-5909
email: loreensuhr@telus. net
Box 10128 Hart RPO
Prince George, BC V2K5Y1

Nomination Form – Housing Committee – 2022

Election 2022: Yunesit’in Council

This election will be to choose 2 members for Councillor for 4 year term. The terms of office for Councillors Ralph Myers and Gabriel Pukacz end in 2022. The election date has been set for Thursday August 4, 2022 to be held at the Yunesit’in Health Centre from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Any Band member 18 years of age or older may nominate candidates by filling out the nomination form. A member may nominate not more than 2 candidates for Councillor. An information package will be mailed to all members for whom the band has a address.

A nomination requires 5 nominators and the acceptance of the nominee. Failure to comply with all the rules and regulations, will void the nomination.
All forms must be complete with all information as required, name, address, band registration, phone and email.

The nomination forms, along with a non-refundable fee of $200. made payable to the Yunesit’in Government in the form of a certified cheque or money order, must be received by Rhoda Petal at the Band office or at PO Box 158, Hanceville, BC V0L 1K0 no later than Wednesday, June 22nd at 4:00 pm.

All candidates must be a member of the Yunesit’in Government; be at least 18 years old; pay the $200. fee when the nomination forms are submitted; and follow the rules in the Yunesit’in custom election code.

The list of all candidates nominated will be posted at the office on June 29th and a copy of the election code and list of voters will be available there.

Please be advised that any elector may vote by mail-in ballot by contacting the Electoral Officer.

Given under my hand at Prince George, BC, this 20th day of May, 2022.

Loreen Suhr Electoral Officer
250-613-5909 or email: loreensuhr@telus.net
Box 10128 Prince George, BC V2K 5Y1

Website: www.yunesitin.ca

Nomination Form – Council – 2022

Housing Update – April 2021

Yunesit’in Government will continue to work on implementing the Housing Policy, from maintenance, renovations and new housing.

Housing Coordinator: Ashley Quilt is positioned to take on new responsibilities in the role of the Housing Coordinator.

Housing Committee: During the pandemic, the Housing Committee has not been as active, but will find a way to be involved as more planning efforts take place.

Ecotrust Canada: The Indigenous Home-Lands Initiative has continued to support Yunesit’in in building capacity and strategic planning.

See the Toolkit developed in 2020-2021:
Housing Ecosystem Overview Toolkit

TNG Housing Solutions Lab: Yunesit’in has been involved in collaboration with Ecotrust Canada and the Tsilhqot’in National Government Housing Authority in developing a process that seeks solutions from identifying a common theme through a series of nation level workshops. Russell Myers Ross and Aliyah Meldrum are co-coordinating the initiative; Brittney Hink is the Yunesit’in representative.

New Housing Applications:
Yunesit’in will be accepting new housing applications. The deadline is set for May 21, 2021. Send electronic copies to Ashley Quilt at housingmanager@yunesitin.ca, housingassistant@yunesitin.ca or pick up/drop off at either of the Yunesit’in Government offices, Health or Administration buildings.

See New Housing Application attached:
New_Housing_Applicaion-2021

Refer to the Housing Policy as a guideline to the process:
Yunesit’in Housing Policy

Tsilhqot’in National Government: There is an opportunity for further nation-building with the Tsilhqot’in National Government Housing Authority, as the organization is growing to build capacity and assume more financial responsibility for programs previously administered by Indigenous Services Canada. Yunesit’in is a community that has set the vision for the nation is terms of building it’s own construction team, developing businesses that can source material for construction, and have had experience in working with many groups to build houses and commercial buildings. Right now, the TNG communities are awaiting the $21.5 million investment plan, which is meant to outline how resources will be shared. Further work will continue in understanding the capital infrastructure needs, designing housing plans, community construction plans, carpentry capacity is developed and ensuring that costs are considered through leveraging the nation funds.

* Note: this post will be updated as new plans emerge