The B.C. government has signed a reconciliation agreement with seven Indigenous communities that will provide $175 million over five years to develop the forest industry, local economy and culture.
The 鈥溾�� agreement provides the funds to members of the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council in the Prince George region of central B.C. The largest part is a five-year, $70 million economic development fund 鈥渢o support business development, partnerships with neighbouring communities and joint ventures that will benefit the economy of the region as a whole,鈥� Premier John Horgan announced Wednesday.
Other funds include:
鈥� $40 million over five years to accommodate impacts from forest and range activities
鈥� $25 million over five years for 鈥渃apacity funding for implementing the agreement and continuing negotiations on a long-term, comprehensive agreement between the tribal council, provincial and federal governments
鈥� $15 million 鈥渨ealth fund鈥� invested to generate revenues to support community growth
鈥� $12.5 million over five years to revitalize Carrier and Sekani languages and culture
鈥� $12.5 million over five years 鈥渢o build on governance processes and structures, with a goal of self-government鈥�
The seven Carrier Sekani First Nations are the Stellat鈥檈n First Nation, Nadleh Whut鈥檈n, Ts鈥檌l Kaz Koh First Nation (Burns Lake Band), Saik鈥檜z First Nation, Nak鈥檃zdli Whut鈥檈n, Takla Nation and Tl鈥檃zt鈥檈n Nation.
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Mayors of Prince George, Burns Lake and Vanderhoof welcomed the announcement, along with chiefs of the Indigenous communities.
鈥淭he Pathways Forward 2.0 Agreement is historic and marks the beginning of a positive co-operative relationship between B.C. and Carrier Sekani First Nations,鈥� said Chief Priscilla Mueller of the Saik鈥檜z First Nation. 鈥淭he social-economic benefits to the Omineca region will be significant, and the message to all citizens should be that if First Nations prosper, then everyone prospers.鈥�
tfletcher@blackpress.ca
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