The Stellat'en First Nation have secured a 25-year woodland licence covering 10,781 hectares of Crown land near Fraser Lake.
It will allow the band to harvest 32,500 cubic metres of timber per year, for the first five years, with a step down to mid-forecast levels for the remaining years.
An agreement that provides the licence was signed Wednesday by the band and the provincial government.
"Through this agreement, the Stellat'en First Nation will be able to tap into an additional revenue stream, and will have an opportunity for greater input into local forest stewardship," said Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development.
It was also hailed as a step along the path of reconciliation.
"We are looking to redefine our relationships with First Nations by implementing the principles of United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and this agreement is another example of our work towards shared prosperity," said Scott Fraser, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation.
The licence area will be managed by Stellat'en Duchun Forestry Inc., owned by Stellat'en First Nation.
"This agreement will help us continue to ensure that local land and forest resources are managed, protected and developed for the mutual benefit of Stellat'en members and the people of British Columbia. It will also open doors on employment opportunities and another revenue stream for our First Nation," said Stellat'en Chief Archie Patrick.
It is the 12th First Nations woodland licence issued since the provincial government began the program in 2011. In addition to giving First Nations a stronger role in forest and land stewardship, these long-term, area-based, direct-award forest licences make it easier for First Nations forest companies to secure investment and loans.
First Nations now hold 11.8 per cent of the provincial allowable annual cut - a total of 4.6 per cent of the allowable annual cut in competitively held tenures, and 7.2 per cent of the allowable annual cut in direct award tenures.
