Esk’et FN Hosts Gathering to Celebrate Children, Families, and Cultural Connection

Courtesy of Esk'etemc First Nation:

The community of Esk’et welcomed children and their families for a two-day gathering centered on celebrating children, strengthening families, and bringing together all Esk’etemc members to learn about their culture, their land, and their community.  

“Everything we do is for our children so they grow up strong and connected to their families, their land, and their future,” shared Esk’etemc Kukpi7 Fred Robbins.  

Stsmémelt re Esk’et is a program that reflects a shared commitment to ensure children grow up grounded in who they are, supported by their families, their community, and their culture and represents more than a single gathering. 

It is part of a broader journey within Esk’etemc to bring children home, back to family, community, and culture while creating space for healing and building strength across generations. Over the weekend, more than 300 people, including children, youth, adults, and elders, participated in a range of cultural and community-based experiences. 

The event started with a pipe ceremony and prayers followed with a Grand Entry, gifting ceremony, and two full days of land-based learning, traditional games, drumming, and songs. The gathering created meaningful opportunities for children and their caregivers who live both in community and in urban centres to meet each other and engage with Esk’etemc ceremony and traditions. 

“Ceremony is what keeps our people strong,” said Spiritual Headwoman and elected Esk’etemc Councillor Irene Johnson. “It brings us together, it grounds us, and it reminds our families and our children of who they are.” 

The experiences created through Stsmémelt re Esk’et reflect the importance of cultural continuity and the role of community in supporting families. By centering the focus on children, the program reinforces a path forward built on connection, identity, and ongoing support and care, highlighting the broader work underway within Esk’etemc to strengthen child and family well-being through community-led approaches rooted in culture, language, and land. 

“Stsmémelt re Esk’et is about how we take care of our children as a community,” noted Doreen M. Johnson, Stsmémelt re Esk’et Planner. “This event was just a small reflection of the work we’re doing to bring families back together and build something stronger for the future for all Esk’etemc.” For many families, the gathering created meaningful opportunities for coming back together again, and for some, for the first time. 

It reflected Esk’etemc’s vision of children growing up supported, families connected, and community moving forward together. 

To see a video of the two-day event, watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LGG5PLjbug 

Esk’etemc Kukpi7 Honoured with King Charles III Coronation Medal

Courtesy of Esk'etemc First Nation:

The First Nation of Esk’etemc is proud to share that Kukpi7 Fred Robbins has been honoured with the King Charles III Coronation Medal, an award that recognizes his leadership, longstanding commitment to community, and continued efforts to strengthen relationships and advance Nation-building. 

Kukpi7 Robbins was nominated by National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak of the Assembly of First Nations. 

In a letter to Kukpi7 Robbins, Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, wrote: "It is with great honour to inform you that you have been selected as the recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal. On behalf of the Assembly of First Nations, we extend our warmest congratulations to you!" 

Recipients of the medal have made a significant contribution or achieved outstanding accomplishments within their communities. 

To be a recipient was a surprise and a great honour for Kukpi7 Robbins, who shared that it was great news, especially at a time which was very challenging for him as a leader. “It has been a heavy year for our community, having lost many Elders, or as I call them, our ‘history books’, so this honour was uplifting in a time of sadness and reflection,” shared Kukpi7. 

Over the decades, Kukpi7 Robbins has dedicated himself to learning from his Nation’s Elders. This has inspired him to focus on empowering future generations through his role in the development and promotion of Orange Shirt Day, as well as the co-creation of First Nations curriculum of Indian Residential School education for kids in grades 5 and 10. 

He hopes this recognition through the King Charles III Coronation Medal encourages future leaders to be active and vocal for their communities when it comes to improvements and healing. “I dedicate this honour to my parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts and uncles, and to the leadership who blazed a trail of healing,” shared Kukpi7. 

“I would also like to recognize that my staff have stood beside me through difficult days, and my wife and daughters have given me unconditional love and trust as a leader, a dad, and a husband. Although this medal has my name on it, it is for my community, family, and our past, present, and future leaders.” 

Esk’etemc leadership, Elders, and community members extend their congratulations to Kukpi7 Robbins. This recognition reflects the strength, resilience, and continued work being carried forward on behalf of the community.

Esk'etemc FN calls for immediate action re: Cariboo-Chilcotin School District Review of Climate and Culture

Open Letter from Esk'etemc First Nation:

To: Cheryl Lenardon, Superintendent of Schools, School District #27

School District #27 (Cariboo-Chilcotin) Board of Education

September 10, 2025

We write this letter with deep concern and disappointment regarding the recent release of the Safer Schools Review of Climate and Culture Response Plan by School District #27. Despite repeated requests to be meaningfully included in the process, Esk’etemc and other Nations were not consulted or engaged in the development of this Response Plan - even though it directly affects our children, families, and communities.

This is not the first time we have asked to come to the table. And yet, once again, decisions are being made about us, without us.

The Response Plan claims to address systemic racism and improve school climate, yet it was developed in a way that perpetuates the very exclusion and disregard for Indigenous voices that it purports to resolve. This is not reconciliation. This is not partnership. This is not acceptable.

We remind School District #27 and the Provincial Government that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action - particularly Calls #10, #11, #12, #62, and #63 -require active, sustained, and respectful collaboration with Indigenous peoples in the transformation of education systems. Lip service is no longer enough. The time for performative gestures as demonstrated in this Response Plan has passed.

We are calling for immediate action.

1.     A public acknowledgment from School District #27 of the failure to collaborate with Indigenous Nations in the development of the Response Plan.

2.     The immediate formation of a co-governed working group, with representation from Esk’etemc and other affected Nations, to lead the implementation and monitoring of the plan.

3.     A commitment to Indigenous-led processes that embed our knowledge systems, languages, and leadership into all aspects of education in our territory.

4.     Transparent communication and accountability mechanisms, including regular reporting to Indigenous communities and opportunities for course correction.

We do not take this step lightly. We are committed to working in good faith, but we will no longer accept being sidelined while our children continue to experience harm through racial violence, bullying, harassment, and discrimination. The longer this delay in relationship-building continues, the longer the real work of healing and transformation is postponed.

We are ready to do the work.

We ask: Is School District #27? Is the Province?

We have gone through the Response Plan to 1) share what we believe is missing and 2) what we believe the Response Plan should state in the document that accompanies this letter (below).

We look forward to your response—and more importantly, to your action.

In unity and responsibility,

Esk’etemc Chief and Council

Cc:

ʔaʔsiwɬ Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President, Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs

Hon. David Eby, Premier of British Columbia 

Hon. Lisa Beare, BC Minister of Education and Child Care

Lorne Doerkson, MLA for Cariboo-Chilcotin

Members of the Media, Community Partners and the Public

REDIP/Cariboo-Chilcotin Successful Applicants

Yesterday (May 21, 2025) -- the BC Government announced the successful applicants to its REDIP/Rural Economic Development and Infrastructure Program for the 2024-25 period.

For those in the Cariboo-Chilcotin region:

a) Cariboo Regional District | Rural Workforce Retention & Expansion | $271,200 | Forest Impact Transition

b) Cariboo-Chilcotin Partners for Literacy Society | Workforce Readiness Enterprise | $99,756 | Economic Capacity

c) City of Quesnel | Tourism Sector Enhancement | $75,000 | Forest Impact Transition

d) City of Williams Lake | Williams Lake Regional Airport Café Construction Project | $112,000 | Forest Impact Transition

e) Community Futures Cariboo Chilcotin | Regional Agriculture Investment Attraction Package | $500,000 | Forest Impact Transition

f) Esk'etemc First Nation (Alkali Lake) | Esk’etemc Powwow Arbor Facilities Project | $99,715 | Economic Diversification

g) Nazko First Nation | Stump Lake (Chuntezni'ai) Development | $996,571 | Economic Diversification

h) Sprout Kitchen Society (Quesnel) | Sprout Kitchen Business Development Project | $75,000 | Forest Impact Transition

i) Toosey First Nation | Toosey Old School Wood Products Facility Upgrade Project (TOSWPFUP) | $500,000

j) Tŝideldel First Nation | The Tŝideldel Indigenous Ecotourism Project | $994,378 | Economic Diversification

l) Williams Lake First Nation | Cultivating Prosperity: WLFN's Vision for Food Security and Economic Sustainability | $400,000

For full background -- https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025JEDI0018-000472

Bullying and Racial Violence are ‘No Joke’ Community Members Rally to Stand Up Together

Courtesy of Esk’etemc First Nation:

Parents, grandparents, and community members from throughout the Cariboo Chilcotin region joined together in a show of solidarity and co-operation to peacefully march to the grounds of School District #27 in Williams Lake. Donning pink shirts, buttons, and signs with the slogan ‘Stand Up’ and ‘Bullying and Racial Violence are no Joke’, the collective of citizens stood together to publicly ask the Minister of Education and Child Care, Lisa Beare, to respond to their calls for an investigation into bullying, harassment, discrimination, and racial violence in schools within the District.

Together, representatives from Esk’etemc First Nation and the Concerned Parents and Caregivers of Williams Lake (CPWL) group, with support from the Union of BC Indian Chiefs (UBCIC), shared their message symbolically in front of the School District offices to ask for equality, safety, and excellence in education for all students in the District.

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, UBCIC President stated, “UBCIC was deeply disappointed by the Superintendent of School District #27’s response to a concerned group of parents, including from Esk’etemc First Nation, as a ‘small, but vocal group’. This dismissive attitude stands in blatant disregard of the concerns shared by parents, caregivers, and B.C. First Nations standing up for the rights and wellbeing of our young learners. By Resolution 2024-42, UBCIC stands alongside Esk’etemc First Nation in calling for a fulsome investigation into the allegations of racism,

discrimination, bullying, and harassment in School District #27. The parents group, Esk’etemc, and UBCIC share the same vision for every child to have the opportunity to attend school in an environment where they feel safe, supported and have a sense of belonging.”

Esk’etemc Kukpi7 Fred Robbins agreed with Grand Chief Phillip, calling on the provincial government to take action without delay.

“Every day that goes by, we hear more and more stories of children and youth, not just from our Nation of Esk’etemc, but throughout the region, who fear going to school. How terrible is that?” said Kukpi7 Robbins. “We have been asking the Ministry of Education and Child Care for an investigation for over a year now. Our last letter, sent in early January of this year, asked Minister Beare to meet with us and have a conversation to hear the concerns and the stories of our community members. Our request for that meeting has gone unanswered. This is why today was so important for us to join with UBCIC and the Concerned Parents and Caregivers of Williams Lake group to show the District and the Ministry that we’re not going away until we can collectively solve the problems in our schools.”

In September of 2024, Kukpi7 Robbins brought forward the concerning stories of Esk’etemc members to the UBCIC to ask for help. The UBCIC passed Resolution 2024-42 at their 56th Annual General Assembly calling on the Ministry of Education and Child Care to ‘address the claims of bullying, harassment, discrimination, and racism at School District #27’ as shared in testimonials and letters from Esk’etemc children, youth, families, and support staff. Instead of an investigation, a Safer Schools review was launched and the lack of communication and engagement with First Nations and community members through the region has been a big disappointment. Not long after, Esk’etemc and the CPWL group met to see how they could collaborate.

“Sadly, our group is growing, which demonstrates how many families in our School District are being negatively impacted by the racial violence, bullying, and other activities that make our kids scared to go to school,” said CPWL group member Melissa Coates. “When we met with leadership and community members from Esk’etemc, we all realized we are advocating for the same thing. This is why we planned to host this event together today, to bring attention to what we are advocating for as a group. In doing this, we hope to encourage other parents, grandparents, and caregivers who feel they and their families are alone to join us to make change in our District. Our kids are counting on us, and we cannot, and will not, let them down.”

Esk’etemc and CPWL are encouraging people to fill out an online survey to share their experiences and stories so that their voices are heard.

“We launched a confidential online survey which closely mirrored the one put out by Safer Schools,” noted Calvin Dubray, Director of Education with Esk’etemc. “Unfortunately, the Safer Schools’ survey essentially had questions that asked for ‘yes’, ‘no’, or ‘I don’t know’ answers and one spot at the end of the survey to share any stories or feedback. Our survey gives children, youth, and their parents or caregivers a chance to answer these questions but also share their stories and challenges. We intend to share themes from the survey results with the Minister, so she truly understands the urgency of what is happening here in our District. We’re tired of being ignored and our kids and youth are too important not to stand up for!”

For those interested in filling out the survey, it is online at: https://bit.ly/standup2025

Concerned Parents and Caregivers of Williams Lake: 

If you are a concerned parent, grandparent, or student, you are invited to contact the Concerned Parents and Caregivers of Williams Lake group via email at cpcgwl@yahoo.com or on Facebook. The group is marked ‘Private’ and the page administrators are quick to respond to people asking to join.

WLFN; Esk'etemc FN; Province of BC sign Letter of Understanding re: Chilcotin River Landslide

Courtesy of Williams Lake First Nation:

Williams Lake First Nation (WLFN) today announced that British Columbia, Esk’etemc, and WLFN have concluded a government-to-government Letter of Understanding with respect to the Chilcotin River (Pesxenmétkwe) landslide that occurred on July 31, 2024. Under the Letter of Understanding, the parties agree to work together to jointly address the impact of the landslide.

The Letter of Understanding addresses a number of topics, including fisheries and other environmental impacts, cultural heritage, information sharing and potential causes of and responses to the Chilcotin River landslide. The Letter of Understanding provides for two key discussion tables, one consisting of senior elected officials and another consisting of key administrative staff. The Letter of Understanding also envisions the possibility that other parties may become signatories.

Kúkwpi7 (Chief) Willie Sellars, Williams Lake First Nation:

We’re grateful to conclude this arrangement with the Province. This landslide could have huge implications for the fishery and our hope is to see the best possible outcomes in the circumstances. We commend the Province for working with us on a true government-to-government basis, and for making efforts to integrate our traditional and other knowledge as we develop strategies to address the impacts of the landslide. As Yecwmíǹmen or “Stewards of the Land” we look forward to collaborating with the Province and other affected First Nations.

Kúkwpi7 (Chief) Fred Robbins, Esk’etemc:

Together we are working towards a solution that honours our lands, our waters, and our people. We commend the Province for stepping up and recognizing the importance of Indigenous leadership in these critical matters. This Letter of Understanding highlights the importance of working together to protect our environment for future generations. This partnership is a vital step in our shared journey towards reconciliation. 

The Hon. Nathan Cullen - Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, Province of British Columbia:

We responded to the landslide by bringing together modern technology, including LiDAR, and traditional knowledge, by collaborating with First Nations affected by the event. This includes partnering with First Nations governments such as the Williams Lake First Nation, Esk’etemc, and the Tŝilhqot’in National Government. The Letter of Understanding with the Williams Lake and Esk’etemc First Nations is one example where the Province is working together with First Nations governments and experts to take additional actions to support the recovery.