Lands Department

Protecting and asserting SC’IȺNEW rights to the traditional lands that have sustained us since time immemorial.

About:

We have been operational under our Land Code since August 1st, 2003. As a signatory to the First Nations Land Management Act, we have opted to take over the management and control of our land and resources, coming out from under the Indian Act. This includes the protection and management of the Reserve land environment.

By Community, For Community

The SC’IȺNEW Nation Lands Management Department has two groups to provide input and help shape the future of SC’IȺNEW Nation; the Section 121 Board of Directors, and the Lands Management Advisory Committee. Each has its own responsibilities and governance structures.

Creating A Brighter Future

The SC’IȺNEW Environmental Management Plan was created in March 2012 to guide the use and protection of the SC’IȺNEW Lands. Ongoing community engagement continues to guide ongoing development & land use.

Meet The Team:

Bernice Millette

Lands Manager

Bernice Millette has been SC’IȺNEW’s lands manager for more than two decades. She’s responsible for everything pertaining to land, from site visits to policy creation. Her ultimate goal is to work towards a better future for the community and advocate for safety—be it physical, emotional, spiritual, or financial. She wants to help create laws that would benefit the community members and the band as a whole.

Bernice worked in tourism for 17 years, doing mostly hotel housekeeping and waitressing. Her expertise as Lands Manager comes from workshops and on-the-job training.

When she’s not at work, Bernice can be found relaxing at home, beading, knitting, or carving.

Sheeba Sawyer

Lands Committee Member

Council Member, Office Manager – Ocean Resources, Lands Committee Member.

Sheeba helps anywhere she can within the community, serving as the lands committee, officer manager for ocean resources, and council member. She also provides security services for the nation.

Outside of her Beecher Bay responsibilities, Sheeba is a full-time mother to two daughters and a son. She has completed training and is certified for proposal grant writing and administrative communications, she has excellent computer skills, she has helped many members with resumes. She is also licensed to drive vessels with her SVOP. Sheeba has an Advanced Drone Pilot license. She completed her Project Management Course last year and is now a certified Project Management.

Traci-Lynn Pateman

Lands Assistant

Traci Pateman is serving her second term as an Elected Band Councilor. As band councillor, she helps create policies and guidelines for the community and makes sure that its day-to-day business runs smoothly as leaders work towards economic development. She also serves as lands assistant, working closely with the lands manager in tasks like policy creation and permit issuance.

Traci takes pride in her previous management experience, which has helped her perform her current council duties well. Today, Traci’s favourite part of the job is simply being able to serve her nation and having the chance to leave a legacy through the work she does.

During her spare time, Traci does a lot of cooking. She also loves doing art. But hanging out with her three kids always tops the list.

Stacey Charles

Registry

Coming Soon…

Bruce Charles

Environmental Officer/Monitor

As SC’IȺNEW’s Environmental Monitor, Bruce Charles is responsible for a range of surveillance activities. His duties include preventing unauthorized tree-cutting, waste dumping, and poaching. He also oversees the maintenance of the territory’s roads and ensures that no one is squatting within the area.

Bruce has done bylaw and security training to prepare him for his role as the environmental monitor. He has previously done heavy machinery and was part of a forestry crew. His favourite part of the job is being outside and doing work that helps the community.