Chief and Council

Chief Marcel Shackelly Kukpi7 Marcel is the leading spokesperson in representing Nooaitch indigenous title and rights issues and community priorities. This includes intergovernmental relations with both the federal and provincial governments, as well as municipalities and regional districts, in addition to interactions with other Indian Bands and First Nations organizations in British Columbia and Canada. He also represents Nooaitch indigenous interests in dealings Nooaitch may have with private sector companies in relation to major resource extraction and/or infrastructure projects in Nooaitch traditional territory.

Councillor Neil Shackelly

Since the last general band meeting here are some of the meetings he has been involved with:

• Chief and council meetings
• Weekly meetings since the November 2021 flooding
• Meetings with ISC
• Meetings and site visits with Stuwix
• Involvement with Phase 1 on Highway 8
• Phase 1 and 2 on the river clean up
• Involve with Highway 5 work
• Attended community events

Neil has also been heavily involved in recruiting and supervising cultural monitors on major infrastructure projects in Nooaitch traditional territory: Highway 8, Highway 5, Debris clean up in Nicola watershed, Trans Mountain Expansion Project, etc.

Councillor James Fountain

Role in representing Nooaitch:

• Emergency Operations Center Director during the Fire and flood evacuation. Working with Emergency Management BC on Response to emergencies.
• Recovery Council Liaison, assisting Nooaitch Recovery team on Recovery from both Lytton Creek Fire and November Atmospheric River 2021 event, team has term until March 31, 2023 with review for an extension at that time.
• Highway 8, 5, 3, 1 Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure Weekly zoom calls, which have been reduced to by-weekly meetings. Focus on rebuild phase 1 with phase 2 to initial discussions on plan and progress.
• Nicola River Debris Removal project, participating in calls with Environment Canada (Env), Price Waterhouse Cooper (PWC) Phase 1 and 2 complete, discussions regarding Phase 3 are in process.
• Appointed as Elder to Nicola Valley Indigenous Court, meetings for pre-court and court dates. Focus on working with indigenous individuals who wish to go through first nations court.

Portfolios: Finance, Forestry, Economic Development and Housing and Infrastructure