First Nations

Office of the Wet'suwet'en (Hereditary Chiefs)

The OW, based in Smithers, is the administrative and representative body for the Hereditary Chiefs of all five clans. The IPD puts the people they represent at about 3,000 to 3,200. Source: IPD, p. 6-8.

Agreements. A Communications and Engagement Agreement was signed in 2013 and amended in May 2024. A Capacity Funding Agreement for the OW-led assessment followed in 2026; the IPD dates it to March in Table 6.2-1 and to April in the text. Surge understands the OW assessment to be a five-stage process "structured to support Hereditary Chiefs and their House members in independent, informed decision-making". Source: IPD, p. 6-3, Table 6.2-1; IPD, p. 6-6; IPD, p. 6-10.

Engagement. Activity rose from about 40 contacts in 2023 to about 150 in 2024. House scoping sessions for Thin House members were held on May 20, 2026 and planned for September 11, 2026, the second on the tailings facility. OW technicians took part in the 2026 wildlife, fisheries and vegetation field programs. Source: IPD, p. 6-11, Table 6.6-1; IPD, p. 4-10; IPD, p. 6-13.

Interests the IPD records (Table 6.6-2, which includes feedback on the draft IPD):

• The principle that "when taking something from the earth one must replace it with something". Source: IPD, p. 6-14.
• Traditional harvest of salmon, berries, game and medicines, typically in August. Source: IPD, p. 6-13; IPD, p. 6-14.
• Yintah Management Directives, which the OW shared with Surge. Source: IPD, p. 6-15.
• Watershed health: "Maintaining the health of the Morice River Watershed is important for the well-being of salmon and Wet'suwet'en members." Source: IPD, p. 6-15.
• Gaps in the baseline: cameras not baited, eDNA gathered at too few sites, no added sampling at Nanika Falls, and OW technicians unable to join all fieldwork. Source: IPD, p. 6-15.
• Employment, training and economic participation for House members, and enough capacity funding for the OW to take part. Source: IPD, p. 6-15.
• A consent-based approach that considers Wet'suwet'en rights and title. Source: IPD, p. 6-16.

The IPD also lists principles of the Wet'suwet'en Natural Resource Project Development Protocol, beginning with "Assurance the development Project will not pose a threat of irreparable environmental impacts". Source: IPD, p. 6-13.

Witset First Nation

Witset, formerly Moricetown, sits on the Bulkley River about 30 km west of Smithers. About 2,100 people are registered members. It is governed by an elected Chief, Deputy Chief and 10 councillors; the Chief is Elgin Cutler, elected in 2025. Source: IPD, p. 6-16.

Engagement began in early 2026. Chief and Council met Surge in May, and members of Council and the president of the Youth Council visited the site in August 2026. A capacity agreement was still being discussed. Source: IPD, p. 6-17.

Interests: fisheries work and participation in field programs, economic development, training, and protection of "fisheries and water resources" in the design criteria for the tailings facility. Source: IPD, p. 6-17, Table 6.7-2.

Notice. On September 29, 2026, Witset replied to the EAO that it "wishes to be a participating Nation". The EAO's message to Witset noted that Witset is already a participating Indigenous nation for the Tenas coal project. Source: Witset First Nation notice, Sep 29, 2026, p. 1.

The IPD gives two different reserve counts for Witset: two reserves of about 666 hectares in Table 6.2-1, and seven reserves of about 1,427 hectares in section 6.7.1. Source: IPD, p. 6-3, Table 6.2-1; IPD, p. 6-16.

Wet'suwet'en First Nation

Wet'suwet'en First Nation, formerly the Broman Lake Indian Band, has about 250 members and 11 reserve parcels totalling about 700 hectares. Most members live at Palling No. 1 on Decker Lake, between Burns Lake and Houston. A Chief and two Councillors are elected for three-year terms. Its economic arm is Yinka Dene Economic Development Limited Partnership. Source: IPD, p. 6-18.

Agreements and engagement. Engagement dates from 2013 and grew from 2021. A Collaboration and Cooperation Agreement was signed in February 2024. Surge and Yinka Dene jointly sought federal funding for a First Nation-led study of power supply options; an application in February 2024 was denied, and a re-submission was conditionally approved in April 2026. Chief Maureen Luggi visited the site in July 2026. Source: IPD, p. 6-18; IPD, p. 6-19, Table 6.8-1; IPD, p. 6-20.

Interests: a consent-based process "that honours the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples"; long-term mental health of the community's youth; long-term sustainability of traditional land uses; and employment, training and joint-venture contracting. Source: IPD, p. 6-20; IPD, p. 6-21.

Notice. On October 2, 2026, the Nation's referrals coordinator wrote that "Wet'suwet'en First Nation would like to be a participating nation in the impact assessment process." Source: Wet'suwet'en First Nation notice, Oct 2, 2026.

Skin Tyee First Nation

Skin Tyee formed in 2000 when it separated from Nee Tahi Buhn. It has 192 registered members, 45 of them living on reserve, and seven reserves of about 411.9 hectares around Uncha Lake and Southbank. The IPD states that its closest reserve is 66 km from the project; Table 6.2-1 gives about 90 km. Source: IPD, p. 6-23; IPD, p. 6-3, Table 6.2-1.

Engagement. A Protocol Agreement was signed in August 2014, but "Limited engagement has occurred to date". Surge attributes unanswered contacts partly to Skin Tyee's capacity, and writes that the expectation to engage Skin Tyee directly, outside the OW, "was not made clear until recently". Surge presented its PFS to Council in April 2026. Hereditary Chief Ludooks, Chief Samooh and an elected councillor visited the site in July 2026. Source: IPD, p. 6-23; IPD, p. 6-24.

Interests: capacity funding, direct engagement with Skin Tyee, and participation in baseline studies. Source: IPD, p. 6-25, Table 6.9-2.

Notice. On October 15, 2026, counsel for Skin Tyee confirmed it wishes to be a participating Indigenous nation, adding: "Skin Tyee is entitled to and expects direct consultation for the Project." Source: Skin Tyee First Nation notice, Oct 15, 2026.

Nee Tahi Buhn Indian Band

Nee Tahi Buhn is the Wet'suwet'en name for Francois Lake and means "it fills at one end and empties at the other." The band has five reserve areas covering 144 hectares near the south shore of Francois Lake; the closest is about 80 km from the resource area. Source: IPD, p. 6-25; IPD, p. 6-26.

Engagement renewed in early 2026; Surge briefed Chief and Council in April, and they visited the site in the summer of 2026; the text dates the visit to August and Table 6.10-1 to July. Source: IPD, p. 6-26.

Interests: robust fisheries data, and a clear understanding of water use and volume because droughts affect water availability. Source: IPD, p. 6-27, Table 6.10-2.

Cheslatta Carrier Nation

The Cheslatta people lived on Cheslatta and Murray lakes until 1952, when the Kenney Dam flooded the Nechako River and nearby lakes and rivers and forced the Nation from its homelands. Its offices are now in Southbank. It has 383 registered members and 17 reserves of 1,402.8 hectares, and is led by Chief Janet Whitford and two Councillors. Source: IPD, p. 6-27; IPD, p. 6-28.

Engagement dates from 2005. A Letter of Understanding was signed in 2010 and amended in 2013. The IPD states that "Surge has received CCN support for the Project"; that is the company's statement. Source: IPD, p. 6-28; IPD, p. 6-29.

Interests: fish and fish habitat, given the dam's long-term effects; moose and caribou, including caribou recovery; rights and title; Traditional Knowledge; economic participation; and possible help from the First Nations Major Projects Coalition. Source: IPD, p. 6-30; IPD, p. 6-31; IPD, p. 6-32.