Home of the Sasquatch, Harrison Lake, Chehalis River, with abundant chum salmon on the Harrison River and nestled among forests, Sts’ailes –formerly known as the Chehalis Indian Band – is a recreational paradise.  Sts’ailes community members have access to an incredible landscape that extends around Harrison Lake, beyond Stave Lake and reaches to the Fraser River.  It’s no wonder that the community website states “Sts’ailes is a wonderful place to live.  Scenic landscape, culture,community.” 

The Sts’ailes Development Corporation (SDC), developed by the Sts’ailes, oversees the economic development activities including the development and operation of profitable businesses that benefit the First Nation and its members.  During a recent visit to Sts’ailes TACC met with Robert Lagasse, the Chief Operations Officer,to learn more about economic development and three key activities: tourism,forestry and fisheries.

If you’re gearing up for camping season, Sts’ailes has on its territory 6 campgrounds with 150 campsites to visit including campsites at Chehalis River, Weaver Lake, Wood Lake and Rainbow Falls.   For those who love fishing, boating, hiking and canoeing, camping at Sts’ailes offers a number of wonderful amenities in a beautiful, natural environment.

Accommodation isn’t limited to camping.  Large groups can book the Sts’ailes Lhawathet Lalem – a youth retreat destination centre with 150 beds.  The centre provides access to a rock climbing wall, outdoor gym, swimming and tubing at the Chehalis River and is perfect for summer camps, staff retreats or family reunions.

For accommodation that features the comforts of home, guests can book a room at the Sasquatch Crossing Eco Lodge – an ideal getaway for smaller groups.  Formerly the Fenn Lodge (shown above), a private home built in 1903, the house is now owned by Sts’ailes and has 8 guest rooms, a swimming pool, library, a large gourmet kitchen and dining hall that seats 24.  The Eco Lodge is powered by its own Run of River power facility that can also heat the outdoor salt water pool.  Using salt water is easier on the natural surroundings and doesn’t pollute the Harrison River when the water is released. 

While sustainability is evident in the Sts’ailes’ tourism sector, SDC is always looking for ways to ‘green up’ its other economic activities.  For example, the forestry sector practices sustainability in its planning and operational activities while providing employment to the community members. Sts’ailes is one of the largest single holders of forestry licenses in the area.  Harvesting is one of the main activities; however they also participate in the business of carbon sequestration, or carbon capture, to help reduce the amount of carbon gas entering the atmosphere. The process, which includes activities such as reforestation, helps to mitigate global warming by generating carbon offset credits.  Revenue generated from this new carbon capture business will support restoration and enhancement in the Sts’ailes fisheries sector.

Sts’ailes culture is an important element with economic development activities – particularly with the fisheries. Salmon is a part of life for many Sts’ailes.  Just as it is an important resource, salmon is a part of culture and the Sts’ailes have been fishing the rivers since before European contact.  Traditional fishing weirs can be found in Sts’ailes territory and the importance of salmon is celebrated by the community.  On August 21, 2010, visitors can attend the Chehalis Traditional Salmon Feast as part of the 2010 Slow Food Vancouver – Agassiz Bike Tour.  The event includes a Welcome Ceremony, Feast,Table Songs and Cultural Sharing.  For more information, see the Slow Food Vancouver website at www.slowfoodvancouver.com.

Today, Sts’ailes Development Corporation is engaged in sustainable salmon fisheries practices with activities that include an annual fisheries management plan, salmon enhancement facilities and selective fishing to prevent depletion of any one stock.  These activities provide the equivalent of approximately 32 full time jobs to community members, and help to sustain the salmon stocks. 

Sts’ailes also operates a virtual warehouse and works with a partner to store and sell surplus commercial salmon inventory.  The result is a transparent fishery that tracks a fish from production to market place. The virtual warehouse also empowers the Sts’ailes fishermen who are able to store fish and sell for the best price as opposed to selling fish on the dock at whatever price is being offered.

Whether it is in tourism, fisheries or forestry, Sts’ailes is a great place to do business.   For more information on the Sts’ailes Development Corporation, see their new website at www.stsailesdevcorp.com.  For more information on Sts’ailes Nation, seethe community’s website at www.stsailes.com.