British Columbia and the McLeod Lake Indian Band have reached a "government-to-government agreement" meant to strengthen their relationship and support economic development opportunities.
A celebratory signing was held Monday at the 556-member band's main reserve, 150 kilometres north of Prince George.
A handful of features were highlighted:
- Establishment of a collaborative management committee which will focus on environmental stewardship and maintaining a timber supply for an area encompassing 23,000 square kilometres.
- Contribution of $5.8 million to a long-term trust to promote educational pursuits. Members up to 35 years old will be able to access the funding if they get their B.C. graduation certificate.
- Revenue sharing with the provincial government from oil and gas activity on the band's traditional territory. The province will provide $1 million over the life of the agreement, which lasts to March 31, 2024, to help with implementation.
- Four other revenue-sharing agreements as as part of the First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund. They will provide the band with a percentage of the revenue the province receives from the independent power producers operating in Quality Creek, Septimus Creek, Thunder Mountain and Tumbler Ridge, located within the band's traditional territory.
"The province has had a long and constructive relationship with the McLeod Lake Indian Band," Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation John Rustad said. "This agreement will ensure that we continue to work well together while strengthening rural economic development for businesses and families in the community."
The band, which has been included in Treaty 8 since 2000, has signed three benefits agreements in the past two years for three natural gas pipelines - the Prince Rupert transmission line, the Coastal gas link and Westcoast Connector.
And related to the Site C hydroelectric dam project, the band has agreements with BC Hydro related to impact benefits, contracting and land.
