Eva Clayton elected first female president of Nisga'a Lisims Government

As the world waits to see if America will elect it's first female president, the Nisga'aNation has done just that.

On Nov.2, Eva Clayton beat out incumbent Mitchell Stevens to become president of the Nisga'a Lisimsgovernment.

Clayton is the fourth president to be elected, and the first woman to hold the position.

She takes over the leadershipat a time of change for the Nisga'a. In 2013, it became the only First Nation in Canada to allow private land ownership on tribal land.

And in 2014, the nation agreed to allow the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Line to pass through its territory in order to pipe natural gasfrom northeast B.C. to thePacific Northwest LNG site on Lelu Island.

• Nisga'a celebrate 10 years of self-government

• B.C.'s Nisga'a becomes only First Nation to privatize land

• Nisga's Nation signs LNG pipeline benefits deal with B.C.

Clayton has long taken on a pioneering role with theNisga'a. She was involved in negotiatingtheNisga'aTreaty, the first modern-day treaty to be signed in Canada.

That treaty, which cameinto effect in 2000, removed theNisga'afrom the Indian Act . It also gave them self-governmental powers, approximately 1,930 square kilometres of land in the lowerNassValley. and $190 million in cash.

Clayton spoke withDaybreak Northhost RobertDoaneabout her election and her vision for the future of theNisga'a.

What was it like to learn that you were the fourth president?

I was very very happy. It's been a long road.

For me the Nisga'a Nation has spoken not only for change, but it made a public statement that Nisga'a women are equally qualified for holding top office.

I believe my work over the years has made a public statement. I've heard the outcry for our people to be involved inNisga'a government.

How would you like to see the nation evolve under your leadership?

I would like to see our people evolve to one where we are 100 per cent inclusive of our people. I would like to restore the respect to our people and the land.

One of my plans is to hold a Nisga'a economic summit where all Nisga'a stakeholders are gathered together to discuss how we're going to build the Nisga'aeconomy for all people.

Where do you stand on resource development like LNG and mining?

I hope to see - I understand the various positions - but I don't want to see the Nisga'aNation putting all of its apples in one basket.

It's important for us to take a look at moneymakers, sustain government.

That could be utilizing renewable resources: wind power, geothermal, just to name off a few. And to build up our local entrepreneurs.

What do you see as some of the biggest issues facing your people?

I've heard the cries for our people to be involved in government. Jobs, jobs, jobs. I've heard the cries from the youth and the elders to be included in Nisga'agovernment.

We can establish programs for our youth to watch Nisga'a government in action. We can have youth and elders set up as observers in our committees and our meetings.

It's training grounds.

This interview has been condensed and edited for length and clarity. To hear the fullinterview, click the audio labelled: 'Q&A with the first female president of the Nisga'a Lisms government'.

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