Our Name: Wet'suwet'en First Nation (Band No. 725) was formerly known as the Broman Lake Indian Band, and is still often called Broman Lake. Sources describe the meaning of Wet'suwet'en in different ways: the federal government gives people of the Wedzin Kwe River (Bulkley River), while the Town of Smithers gives people of the lower hills.

Population: Our community has approximately 250 registered members, with about 81 living on reserve and many others living off reserve or on other land.

Location and Treaty: Our main community is Palling Indian Reserve No. 1, west of Burns Lake in the central interior of British Columbia, between Burns Lake and Houston. The Nation has 11 reserves covering about 7 km². There is no treaty. Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs say the wider territory was never ceded, and the Province is negotiating land and resource agreements with the Nation outside the treaty process.

Culture and Economy: Wet'suwet'en society has five clans (Gilseyhu, Laksilyu, Gitdumten, Laksamshu and Tsayu) organized into 13 houses, each led by a hereditary chief. Clan and house membership passes through the mother's line, and major decisions are traditionally made by consensus in the feast hall. Our language is the Witsuwit'en dialect of Babine-Witsuwit'en. The Nation is part of the Broman Lake Development Corporation and has agreements with the Province on forest revenue sharing and economic and community development.

Visit our official website