The provincial government has reached an agreement with members of the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council meant to increase its members First Nations' participation in the forest economy.
Whubats'ut'en Nus Whetee Agreement - the Interim Pathway Forward Agreement - sets out commitments between the two to jointly improve stewardship, business and job opportunities in the sector, the provincial government said in a press release.
"Joint initiatives in the agreement will seek to boost the skilled labour force and promote new partnership opportunities between Carrier Sekani and non-Carrier Sekani forestry operators, as well as providing stability and operational predictability on the land base across north-central British Columbia," the provincial government said.
Nadleh Whut'en, Nak'azdli Whut'en, Saik'uz, Stellat'en, Takla Lake, Tl'azt'en, Burns Lake (Ts'il Kaz Koh) First Nations, and the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council are signatories. The agreement has a one-year term with options for renewal.
The combined traditional territories of the seven accounts for about 78,000 square kilometres (7.8 million hectares) in north-central B.C. Their populations add up to more than 10,000 people living on- and off-reserve.
