The St’át’imc Chiefs Council (SCC) is comprised of one Chief from each St’át’imc community. The St’at’imc communities are Bridge River (Xwisten), Pavilion (Ts’kw’aylaxw), Cayoose Creek (Sekw’al’was), Mt. Currie (Lil’wat), Lillooet (T’it’q’et), Fountain (Xaxli’p), Anderson Lake (N’Quatqua), Douglas (Xa’xtsa), Skatin and Samahquam and Seton (Tsal’alh).
Since time immemorial this land – the Tmícwsa I Sťáťímca , has been governed by the St’át’imc , as stated by our leaders in the Lillooet Declaration (May 10, 1911)
At a political unity meeting in Sutikalh in 1998, Title and Rights issues affecting St’át’imc dominated the discussions. At this meeting, the úcwalmicw gave the Chiefs at the time direction to make a pact with one another to work together to advance and protect St’át’imc Title and Rights . This direction was given because we know that our voices and actions as St’át’imc are more powerful together. St’át’imc governance was reaffirmed in Ts’kw’áylaxw May 10, 2010 through the St’át’imc Unity Declaration of Mutual Respect and Understanding.
The St’át’imc Chiefs Council (SCC) is entrusted to collectively ensure St’át’imc Title and Rights are never extinguished, and territorial and cultural integrity is honored, respected and protected. Today, the St’át’imc Chiefs continue to work collectively on issues affecting St’át’imc Title and Rights.
SCC authority is derived from úcwalmicw granting authority to their Chiefs to work together as a government . The SCC is made up of 11 representatives from the St’át’imc communities. The SCC’s governance structure is based upon St’át’imc’s inherent jurisdiction, traditional governing practices, and customs. The SCC has chosen to exercise their authority as a traditional government, rather than establish as a legal structure under the laws of Canada.
St’át’imc are joined together by our Tmícwsa I Sťáťímca, language, culture and history, while also respecting the diversity of each community. St’át’imc unify their collective strengths, thoughts and actions where there is benefit for all St’át’imc. Consistent with this, the SCC establishes decision-making and actions based upon St’át’imc traditional knowledge and wisdom, and evolves these practices with current best practices. Decisions regarding St’át’imc governance, lands, and resources are based upon St’át’imc Title, rights responsibilities and inherent jurisdiction, all which flow from the deep connection that St’át’imc have had with the Tmícwsa I Sťáťímca since time immemorial.