Lands & Resources

Penelakut Tribe Fisheries Department works in coordination of their Elected Council to manage their resources. They also continue to work with partnering organizations and neighbouring Nations to co-manage a wider scope of resources. One of the partnering organizations is Q’ul-lhanumutsun Aquatic Resources Society, which is comprised of a Board that has representatives from the: Six (6) Hul’qumi’num Member First Nations, namely Stz’uminus First Nation, Lake Cowichan First Nation, Lyackson First Nation, Penelakut First Nation, Cowichan Tribes and Halalt First Nation. 

Penelakut Tribe manages a woodlot that is located outside of the Cowichan Valley Regional District. Woodlot licence W0033, near Duncan, was awarded to Penelakut in 2007. It is 800 hectares in area, which is Crown land. The licence is located west of Mount Prevost and south of the Chemainus River. Penelakut Tribe continues to work to meet the obligations and continue best management practices.

The Penelakut people plan and care for our lands based on Penelakut’s distinct Indigenous laws. As outlined through our snuw’ey’ulh and oral history the Penelakut culture and our economic survival has been clearly tied to our relationship to our land and our resources, since time immemorial.

Penelakut peoples are immersed in the cyclical nature of our land and organized our trade, our living spaces, our hunting and gathering based upon these cycles. The cyclical nature of our land, our water and our resources affected us as we affected them. This relationship to our land is sacred in nature and difficult to define in a few words.

On February 14, 2017, Penelakut Tribe became a signatory to the Framework Agreement on First Nations Land Management, as the Penelakut Tribe wishes to govern our land and resources under the Penelakut Tribe Tumuhw Code, rather than having our land and resources managed on our behalf under the Indian Act. Neither the Framework Agreement on First Nations Land Management, nor the Penelakut Tumuhw Code are intended to define or prejudice inherent rights, or any other rights, of Penelakut Tribe to control our reserve lands and resources or to preclude other negotiations in respect of those rights.”

Income Assistance First Nations individuals in financial need and living on Penelakut reserve lands, may receive income assistance to cover the costs of basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter and health benefits. Financial need is determined through an income test and other eligibility requirements. If you are in need and have no other resources, you may be eligible for income assistance. This can help support your transition to employment. At this initial meeting, you will need 2 pieces of ID, one with a current photo, as well as a bank statement, last pay stub and/or ROE, and a current hydro bill.