Community Vision
The Yunesit'in Government is guided by the actions of our ancestors, which is represented by living as a healthy community with the land. As a governing community, our objective is to support rebuidling the Tsilhqot'in nation as self-determing peoples, while exercising our responsibility to the land through the regeneration of the language and culture.
Community Profile
Yunesi'tin First Nation, Government is governed by Chief Ivor D. Myers and Council members Molly Hink, Darnell Myers, Gabe Pukacz and Douglas Myers.
Yunesit'in First Nation has 423 members, with approximately 207 members living on reserve, and has five Indian Reserves. The largest age demographic in Stone is under 19 at 34% of total population, followed by age 31 - 50 at 29%.
The most populated caretaker area is I.R. Stone No. 1, the remaining four are Stone No. 1A, Saddle Horse No. 2, Brigham Creek No. 3 and Stone No. 4. These lands cover approximately 2, 146.4 hectares of Forest, Range, and community lands. We have 49 houses in IR No. 1 and one house in Saddlehorse No.2. We are located within the Cariboo Regional District and area one of five Aboriginal Communites that are affliated with Tsilhqot'in National Government.
Stone Indian Reserve is where the Yunesit'in Government Offices are located and is 100 kilometres southwest of Williams Lake, BC. Other services provided in the community include the Yunesit'in Esgul Band Operated School, Yunesit'in Health Center and the Yunesit'in Development Enterprise. The Yunesit'in Government has invested in Riverwest Sawmill located 7 kilometres before Hanceville, BC. Our community facilities include: A Roman Catholic Church, the School, and the Community Hall. Construction of a new health center will begin in October 2011. We have applied for a license to start a Yunesit'in Tsilhqot'in Immersion Daycare.
The area surrounding Yunesit'in is pristine with exceptional resources and scenic features. The community holds pride in their traditions, culture, and ceremonies that have been passed down for many generations. Preservation of our traditional territories is a high priority for the people of Yunesit'in First Nation; as well as, adopting an ecosystem-based approach to land use. Our neighboring community Xeni Gwet'in is dedicated to basing the local culture and economy on maintaining ecological integrity and the members of Yunesit'in agree that this approach to land use is essential for building a sustainable economy that respects the importance of our traditinal territories.