Nicole Hajash

Nicole Hajash for Da'naxda'xw First Nation Council

My name is Nicole and I belong to the Duncan family and my Indian name is Kugwisi’la’ogwa. I come from Kwig watsi, the house of eagles, my mother is Donna Duncan - Hamdzas, my grandparents were William and Violet Duncan and my great grandparents were Tom and Sarah Duncan, who resided in Tsatsisnukwomi. I am the proud mom of Giulia and Olivia.

It has been an honour to sit as a member of Council during our first elected term in over 30 years. I would like to take this opportunity to share what I have been working on, the opportunities I see and ask for your vote for a second term. I acknowledge that the work has only just begun and much more work is ahead.

Background - for those who may not know me or are not familiar with my background, this is me:

  • • I graduated from UBC Law in 2002 and I have been a practicing lawyer for 23 years, advocating for Indigenous rights and title, Specific Claims, negotiating reconciliation agreements.
  • • In 2023, I represented my uncle Robert Duncan in the Federal Court of Canada on a pro bono basis and our win and the court order we obtained directly lead to our first election in 30 years.

First Term Highlights

Planning for the Future: a strategic plan to grow and to support our members directly (per capita distributions, elders conferences, Da’naxda’xw Day). Financial Management: getting caught up on our audits, building proper financial protocols, millions in the bank from own source revenue, in a position to purchase the Knight Inlet Lodge, TFL 45 towards self-sufficiency; funding 24 students investing in our members. Governance and Policies: draft education policy, working on a housing policy. Rights & Title: WE HAVE THE MOST AMAZING TERRITORY!! and we protected it, denied all logging and mining exploration in our territory; developed Specific Claims for compensation from Canada for villages we were denied being included as part of our reserves in the late 1800's, that are very much part of our traditional territory. This work takes time and dedication.

The Future: I am committed to working on all of our behalf:

• Improve Communication in a way that is safe for members, completing the website that is under development and more meetings are needed to discuss and to listen.

• Benefits for Members, create more opportunities for members to share in collective benefits, to work with our Nation, to protect our territory, to visit and live on our reserves.

• Generate Real Money the opportunity for us to make money is off the charts, but the lodge, broaden carbon credit revenue.

• Move forward and away from the past and away from fighting with kindness and respect.

Thank you for taking a moment to read my introduction and I would very much appreciate your support and your vote.

Sincerely, Nicole