Welcome to the
Tsetsaut Skii km Lax Ha Nation
From Ancient Roots to Modern Nation
Our history in the northwestern watersheds of British Columbia spans thousands of years. We have lived on and cared for this land since time immemorial, and continue to do so today.
Led by Hereditary Chief Darlene Simpson (Skii km Lax Ha), we are descendants of the Laxwiiyip Tsetsaut, an Athapaskan-speaking people living throughout parts of the Nass River, Skeena River, Bear River, and Stikine River watersheds.
Our history is one of resilience and adaptation. We have maintained our presence in our traditional territories, preserving our unique culture and exercising our inherent rights to our ancestral lands. Our Nation is guided by traditional laws and practices that have evolved to meet the needs of our people in the modern world.
We are committed to sustainable stewardship, economic development, and the ongoing practice of our cultural and political traditions. As custodians of our ancestral territories, we work to protect the land, waters, and resources for future generations while pursuing opportunities that benefit our people.
Honouring Our Past, Shaping Our Future
Nation News
Court Orders Province to Consult with the Tsetsaut Skii km Lax Ha Nation
The Nation Files Protective Notice of Appeal to Ensure that the Province Respects the Court’s Judgment
This week, the Tsetsaut Skii km Lax Ha (TSKLH) Nation filed a Notice of Appeal with the B.C. Court of Appeal to preserve its right to ask the Province’s highest court to clarify the Province’s duty to consult and accommodate the Nation with respect to Seabridge Gold's (TSX:SEA, NYSE:SA) KSM mine in Northwestern B.C. The Notice of Appeal follows the June 8 decision of the B.C. Supreme Court that granted the TSKLH Nation's petition for judicial review of the Province's July 2024 decision to give a Substantial Start Determination (SSD) to the KSM Project.
Legal Win for Tsetsaut Skii km Lax Ha Nation
B.C. Supreme Court Strikes Down Substantial Start Determination for KSM Mine and Orders Proper Consultation; Quashing Led to Justice Not Ruling on SSD Reasonableness
Yesterday, the B.C. Supreme Court issued its decision on the Tsetsaut Skii km Lax Ha (TSKLH) Nation's petition for judicial review of the Province's July 2024 decision to grant a Substantial Start Determination (SSD) for Seabridge Gold's (TSX:SEA, NYSE:SA) KSM mine in Northwestern B.C. Finding in favour of Tsetsaut Skii km Lax Ha, Justice Burke determined the Province breached its constitutional duty to appropriately consult the Nation.
Tsetsaut Skii km Lax Ha Nation Appears Before Supreme Court of Canada in Historic Overlapping Land Claims Case
On December 8 and 9, 2025, the Tsetsaut Skii km Lax Ha Nation appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada to appeal a B.C. Court of Appeal decision that removed its Aboriginal rights and title claims from Malii, a case in which the Gitanyow Nation claims rights and title over an area in northwestern B.C. that overlaps with Tsetsaut Skii km Lax Ha Territory.
Supreme Court of Canada to Hear Tsetsaut Skii km Lax Ha Nation’s Appeal Relating to Overlapping Land Claims with Gitanyow
On April 24, 2025, the Supreme Court of Canada agreed to hear the Tsetsaut Skii km Lax Ha Nation’s appeal of the British Columbia Court of Appeal’s decision to remove Tsetsaut Skii km Lax Ha’s own Aboriginal rights and title claims from Malii. Case will set national precedent.