The BC Ombudsperson has released a final report offering recommendations to strengthen public services, accountability and administrative fairness within the Nisga’a Nation.
The report, Pathways Forward: Nisga’a Public Services Complaint and Review Model, stems from a request made by the Nisga’a Nation in September 2023, when leadership invited Ombudsperson Jay Chalke to provide guidance and educational resources to support governance development. The independent office of the legislature worked with Nisga’a Administrations across all four Nisga’a villages, three urban locals and the Nisga’a Lisims Government.
The report was presented to the Nisga’a Lisims Government Executive Committee in November 2025 and is intended to support the development and implementation of clearer roles and responsibilities in the delivery of programs and services to Nisga’a citizens and those on Nisga’a lands.
According to the Nisga’a Lisims Government, the recommendations outline pathways to create a complaint and review framework that is culturally grounded, transparent and responsive. Leaders say adopting the model would strengthen public confidence, reinforce accountability and position the Nisga’a Nation as a leader in modern self-governance.
Nisga’a Lisims Government President Eva Clayton says the report reflects the ongoing process of self-governance, noting the importance of building systems that respect Nisga’a history while meeting the needs of citizens today. She says the collaboration with the BC Ombudsperson marks an important milestone as the Nation looks toward the future.
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