Iskut facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Iskut
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 Iskut
Location in British Columbia
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| Country | Canada |
| Province | British Columbia |
| Regional district | Kitimat–Stikine |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.58 km2 (0.22 sq mi) |
| Population
(2016)
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| • Total | 295 |
| • Density | 507.3/km2 (1,314/sq mi) |
| Area code(s) | 250, 778 |
Iskut is a small community in northwestern British Columbia, Canada. It is home to many Indigenous people. You can find it on Highway 37, near Eddontenajon Lake. It is also close to Dease Lake and the Stikine River.
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Iskut Community
Iskut is the main home of the Iskut First Nation. These people are part of the larger Tahltan group. Other Tahltan communities include Dease Lake and Telegraph Creek. The Tahltan Nation is made up of two main groups: the Iskut First Nation and the Tahltan First Nation.
The community has important public services. These include the Klappan Independent Day School. There is also the Iskut First Nation Band Office. The Iskut Valley Health Services building provides health care. For shopping and gas, people can visit the Kluachon Center.
Where Iskut Is Located
Iskut is located at the 407-kilometer mark on Highway 37. It takes about 6 to 7 hours to drive there from Terrace or Smithers. It is also within a 9-hour drive from Whitehorse, Yukon.
Fun Things to Do in Iskut
There are many fun activities to enjoy around Iskut. Fishing is very popular in the Iskut Chain Lakes. These lakes include Nadatadasleen Lake, Kinaskan Lake, Tattoga Lake, Eddontenajon Lake, and Kluachon Lake.
Snowmobiling is a favorite winter activity for local people. In warmer months, ATVing (riding all-terrain vehicles) is also very popular.
Natural Resources and the Land
The opening of Highway 37 has helped new projects develop in the Iskut area. These projects often involve using natural resources. Some ongoing projects include the Red Chris copper and gold mine. There is also the Volcano Creek hydroelectric project, which makes electricity from water.
Protecting the Sacred Headwaters
The Iskut area is well known for discussions about how its land should be used. There has been a lot of new mining in the area. This has led to questions about how much local First Nations people are consulted.
A big topic of interest has been Royal Dutch Shell's plans for coalbed methane extraction. This would happen on the Klappan Plateau. This area is very important to the Tahltan people. It is their traditional hunting and trapping territory.
The Klappan Plateau is called the Sacred Headwaters. This is because it is where several important salmon rivers begin. These rivers include the Skeena, Spatsizi, and Stikine rivers. The Spatsizi Plateau region is sometimes called the "Serengeti of the North." This is because many different kinds of animals live there.
The Tahltan Central Council (TCC) speaks for the entire Tahltan First Nation. However, some people feel that the TCC does not always represent all communities fairly. A group of Iskut First Nation members called the "Klabona Keepers" are working to protect the Sacred Headwaters.
