Who We Are
The Lake Babine Carriers followed old age custom handed down from generation to generation. There were many gradual changes and overnight changes with the influence of the white man. The Lake Babine members speak Athabaskan language.
Potlatch is the core of our culture. Laws are handled by the potlatch system for spiritual, economical, social and political reasons through the giving of gifts and money. Potlatch provided forum for the governing of the Lake Babine Carriers. The name “Carrier” was given by the white man. They saw the Lake Babine widow carry the ashes of her cremated husband on her back for one full year to show mourning. The elders saw this was inconvenient and the laws were changed through potlatch to free the woman. Today the widow must wear black for one year to show mourning.
Lake Babine Nation
Background
Negotiating status: Negotiating a comprehensive treaty settlement within the British Columbia Treaty Commission six-stage treaty process.
Negotiating affiliation: Negotiating independently with Canada and British Columbia. Not affiliated with a tribal council or treaty group.
Location: Main community is on the Woyenne Indian Reserve #27, adjacent to the village of Burns Lake, 230 km west of Prince George, in the B.C. Interior.
(24 reserves on 3,093.9 hectares.)
Number of Band Members: 2,207 (Source: Registered Indian Population by Sex and Residence December 2006, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada)
Negotiations
The Lake Babine Nation entered the treaty process in January 1994, and is now in Stage 4 of the six-stage process, negotiating an agreement in principle.
The Lake Babine Nation has been focusing on forestry and other economic development initiatives. However, the mountain pine beetle infestation has had a major impact on forestry values in their traditional territory.
