Earlier last week at Kitimat’s council meeting, members received an update on the development of new highway signage.
Representatives from the x̄á’isla Nation raised the opportunity to include x̄á’isla representation on the tourism sign near Onion Lake — the sign that lets highway travelers know Kitimat is just 20 minutes away.
District staff applied for funding through Destination BC’s Visitor Services Experience Enhancement Grant back in February of 2024, and the project was approved. The initiative officially launched in September, with a project team made up of the District of Kitimat, the Kitimat Chamber of Commerce, the Haisla Nation, and yáqa Development Corporation working alongside a design consultant.
Following a call for artists last summer, Haisla artist Paul Windsor was selected. His piece, titled Spring Salmon, was chosen by the project team and later adapted to fit the final signage concept.
Once the designs were approved, the consultant began work on engineering drawings for fabrication. The design phase is expected to wrap up by the end of January 2026. It’s important to note the current grant funding only covers the design portion of the project.
The signage was also set to include the wording, “On the traditional and unceded territory of the x̄á’isla Nation.”
However, during the meeting, District of Kitimat councillor Mario Feldhoof shared his personal opinion regarding that wording.
“I’m totally in support of the signage referring to on traditional territory and ancestral territory just unceded is wrong.” – Feldhoof
CFNR News did try reach out to Mario Feldhoff for an interview about why he did not want unceded on the signage but declined the request.
CFNR News reached out to x̄á’isla elected chief councillor Maureen Nyce for her response.
In an email, Nyce said, “Thank you for the opportunity, but there is no need to discuss this matter further. We understand this was the opinion of a lone individual. All other members of Council recognize that Haisla Territory is unceded and are supportive of that being acknowledged on the new sign.”
Staff also identified two additional sign locations — one at the intersection of Highway 37, Kitamaat Village Road, Haisla Boulevard, and Nalabila Boulevard, and another at Mile 0 near Hospital Beach.
Both signs would help create a consistent welcome for visitors, with the Highway 37 intersection supported by the Official Community Plan, and the Mile 0 sign aligning with Kitimat’s Tourism Strategy for 2021 to 2026.
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