Nits’ilʔin Dale Hance: Keeping People Connected to the Land

Nits’ilʔin Dale Hance, Tl'etinqox First Nations

Nits’ilʔin Dale Hance has served as the Nits’ilʔin of Tl’etinqox since March 2025, following six years on Council. He is passionate about education, economic development and finding solutions to drug and alcohol recovery in his community. As a proud father and grandfather, his leadership is grounded in responsibility to both present and future generations.

For Nits’ilʔin Hance, land stewardship is not separate from community well-being. The two are deeply connected. Tl’etinqox’s forestry company, Dechen, plays an important role in that connection. Dechen supports four to five fully trained crews who live in the community and work locally throughout the year.

Their work includes silviculture, brushing, fuel management, and slash burning. When a wildfire threatens the area, these same crews are ready to respond and help protect the community.

“If they didn’t have jobs here at home, they wouldn’t be available to fight fires when we need them.”

As climate patterns become less predictable, he believes this work will only become more important. Managing fuel loads, maintaining trained crews, and being prepared for wildfire are essential. Logging continues to be a major economic driver across the Chilcotin, and responsible forest management is key to keeping the industry sustainable over the long term.

Land-based initiatives also provide stable jobs that support families and allow people to remain in their home communities. Living and working on the land helps maintain cultural practices, supports traditional food gathering, and protects wildlife and the environment for future generations.

“Living and working on the land feeds our souls. It reminds us of who we are and where we belong.”

For Nits’ilʔin Hance, leadership means creating opportunities so people do not feel they

have to leave to build a life. It means ensuring that the land continues to provide for the community, just as it always has.

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