The City of Prince George is situated on the traditional territory of the Lheidli T'enneh and their traditional lands cover much of the area from present-day Prince George to the Rocky Mountains. The word "Lheidli" means "where the two rivers flow together" and "T'enneh" means "the People."
The Lheidli T'enneh flag flies at City Hall and the City renamed its premier park (formerly Fort George Park) to Lheidli T'enneh Memorial Park in 2015. The Park had previously been the site of a Lheidli village and it contains a cemetery for the Lheidli T'enneh.
When Prince George hosted the Canada Winter Games in 2015, the Lheidli T'enneh were the Official Host First Nation. It marked the first time that a Canada Games had a Host First Nation.
Lheidli T'enneh Memorial Park Pavilion
The Lheidli T'enneh Memorial Park Pavilion opened in June 2018 and involved four days of public events starting on National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21) and continuing through to Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day (June 24). The events attracted approximately 2,500 attendees.
The Pavilion is the result of a partnership between the City of Prince George and the Lheidli T'enneh that led to a shared vision for a space that is accessible for gatherings, performances, and other events. The Pavilion highlights the landscape's cultural significance, including the confluence of the Fraser and Nechako Rivers.
Construction was also supported by funding from the Government of Canada's Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program, the Province of British Columbia, and Northern Development Initiative Trust.
Opening ceremony group photo.
Lheidli T'enneh youth and elders feature in the Pavilion's panel displays, which were unveiled at the opening ceremony.
The new Pavilion
Intergovernmental Relations
In 2017, a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation and Communication was signed by the Lheidli T'enneh, the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George, and the City of Prince George on National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21) in Lheidli T'enneh Memorial Park. It was the first agreement of its kind involving all three parties.
Prior to the signing, City Council established a Reconciliation Framework (that is periodically reviewed by Council) on June 29, 2016 to guide the City's relationship with the Lheidli T'enneh. The City of Prince George, the Lheidli T'enneh, and the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George continue to pursue opportunities for greater collaboration and relationship-building.