Band Council

Housing

Education

Treaty

Forestry

Fisheries/
Aquaculture

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.

Where is Klemtu?

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Economic Development