Summary of Proposed Changes to Chief and Council Terms of Reference
Please note that Chief and Council are proposing a variety of changes to their current Terms of Reference. The current Terms of Reference set out rules for amendments as follows:
The Terms of Reference document, with proposed changes, is available for your review and feedback for 30 days.
If you have feedback, please email your comments or questions to governance@lslb.ca with subject line “Chief and Council Terms of Reference” prior to August 1, 2026.
You may also submit your written feedback by mail or drop off at the Skwlāx Office to the attention of Mohinder Bajwa.
Summary of Changes:
- Any content that is covered within SteS’ Custom Election and Governance Code has been removed from the Terms of Reference
- Secwepemctsín language has been integrated for common terms
- Minor grammatical and language changes throughout
- The term “band” has been replaced with “Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw”
- Mission Statement and Mandate (s. 3; s. 4) have been updated to include:
- the protection of women, children and vulnerable persons;
- the protection of lands, waterways, and animals;
- combatting climate change;
- protection of traditional territory, where possible, has been added; and
- enforcing principles of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) and United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
- Governance and Politics (s. 8) has been updated to include:
- protection and stewardship of Skwlāx stesmemelt (children);
- protection and stewardship of Skwlāx people, lands, water, animals and ecosystem;
- implementation of traditional laws; and
- acquiring land within Skwlāx territory, for both economic development initiatives and for the purposes of preservation for future generations
- Cultural Leadership (s. 9) has been updated to include:
- Implementing Skwlāx traditional law where applicable
- Roles and Responsibilities (Part C) has been updated to include a “Lands” section (s.10)
- Economic Development and Financial Administration (s. 11) has been updated to include a provision that” Council must not hinder or end economic developments established by previous Council unless it is in the best interest of Membership.”
- Community Health and Safety (s. 13) has been updated to include the protection of traditional territory, as well as establishing laws and bylaws
- Ethics (s. 21) has been updated to include that,
- Council members must consult Council as a whole with respect to decision making;
- Council members participation in training and professional development is limited to those which relate directly to each Councillor’s portfolio; and
- they are to ensure to report back to Council or Membership, where appropriate, with respect to the information obtained at training or professional development.
- Policies, Bylaws and Delegation of Authority (s. 15) has been updated to include provisions that,
- Kukpi7 shall designate an Acting-Chief in certain circumstances of absence; and
- wherever possible, ensure that Members of Council’s planned absence not cause a disruption to quorum
- Portfolios and Committees (Part D) has been updated to include a “Time Commitment” section (s.18)
- Conflicts of Interest (s. 25) has been updated to include provisions regarding recusals and the process of quorum in such circumstances.
