Kelly Lake, British Columbia facts for kids
Kelly Lake is a small community located in the northeastern part of British Columbia, Canada. It is found in an area called the Peace River Country, close to the border with the province of Alberta.
Understanding Kelly Lake's People
The community of Kelly Lake is home to different groups of Indigenous people. These groups include the Kelly Lake Cree Nation (KLCN), the Kelly Lake First Nation (KLFN), and the Apetokosan Nation (AN). Each group believes they represent the local Indigenous community.
The Canadian government does not currently recognize these groups as official Indigenous peoples. However, their claims have been discussed in courts. They are also seen as important groups in the area where the Northern Gateway Pipeline project is planned by Enbridge.
Efforts for Recognition
The people of Kelly Lake have been working to have their Indigenous status recognized. In 2008, the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations supported their claims. They agreed that the people of Kelly Lake might have been left out when Treaty 8 was signed. Treaty 8 is an agreement between the Canadian government and several First Nations.
Court documents from 1999 describe the KLCN and KLFN as groups with Beaver, Cree, and Iroquois heritage. The chief of the KLCN has explained that their Dunne-za and Nehiyaw ancestors give them Indigenous rights. He shared this information during a review of BC Hydro's Site C dam project. He also stated that their traditional lands stretch into Alberta.
Life in Kelly Lake
Kelly Lake is a small community with fewer than 100 people. There are about 33 homes, a church, and an old school that has been turned into a Community Centre.
The closest town is about 40 kilometres (25 miles) away. This means residents need cars to get to work or other places. Younger students take a bus to Hythe Regional School. Older students, from grades 10 to 12, go to Beaverlodge Regional High School. The Community Centre is open four days a week. It offers a gymnasium and space for arts and crafts, especially for younger community members.
