Day said the success of the 2019 Declaration Act depends on how it is implemented, and it aims to develop best practices through the new Tahltan agreement. Day said at a press conference that Tahltan`s territory covers 11 percent of B.C`s land base and that the new agreement will help ensure that some sensitive areas are not open for development while providing more security for industry. Government B.C and the Tahltan First Nation have signed a Reconciliation Framework Agreement that contains many of the omens of an interim treaty agreement, including recognition of the Tahltan Government and more decision-making powers over land use. The Tahltan Nation and the Government of British Columbia have reached a historic agreement on joint decision-making for the country`s territory in northwestern British Columbia.C., a hotspot for mineral exploration. VICTORIA – A new agreement between the Tahltan Nation and the Government of British Columbia will help ensure that sensitive areas are not open to development while providing more security for all, the president of the country`s central government has said. “This will form a collaborative Labour government between the two parties,” said Marie Quock, head of the Iskut Band Council. “This is a historic agreement for our nation. This gives our employees more weight in the processes that take place. Nathan Cullen, Minister of State for Lands and Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for Stikine, said: “This historic intergovernmental agreement is important for Tahltan and for the economic future of our region. The resulting collaborative decision-making will lead to greater predictability of land use in the Tahltan territory and support prosperity for future generations of Tahltans. The agreement is likely to impose new restrictions on the extraction of jade and placer in the Tahltan region. Although the Tahltan generally support mining and have made deals with a number of mining companies, they have recently spoken out against a number of small-scale jade mining and placer operations.
“The Mount Edziza Conservancy strengthens the protection of this ecologically diverse area as we continue to work with and learn from the Tahltan to better understand how the combination of science and traditional teachings can ensure environmental and economic well-being,” said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. “This agreement shows what can be achieved if we work together towards the common goals of reconciliation and protection of the environment and wildlife in this vital region, in a way that supports economic prosperity.” “As Tahltans, we honour our connection to the country and work to provide our nation with opportunities that support our culture and values,” said Chief Carmen McPhee of the Tahltan Band Council. “This agreement is an important opportunity to strengthen cooperation in our common interest and further develop a respectful relationship between governments and the province.” The SPA urges both governments to speed up negotiations on a comprehensive economically oriented reconciliation agreement and to seek the participation of the Confederation in these negotiations. In addition, the two governments agree to jointly develop a land use plan, complete the first phase of the plan by 2023, and test new procedures related to mining permits, placer mining and land use. The province is providing $20 million to the central government in Tahltan to support economic growth and reconciliation and implement the agreement. Nor does it include the transfer of property rights in certain claimed territories, which a treaty generally requires, in exchange for rights defined in certain countries. The agreement is the basis for what should become a comprehensive reconciliation agreement. Murray Rankin, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, noted that some First Nations are not interested in negotiating treaties. Reconciliation agreements like the one signed with Tahltan include certain elements of a treaty, such as governance and jurisdiction over lands and resources, but without the formal treaty process in which the federal government is also involved. The province said the agreement commits both sides to accelerate negotiations on a “comprehensive, business-focused reconciliation agreement.” The two governments will jointly develop a land use plan, the first phase of which will be completed by 2023.
They will also test new processes related to mining permits, placer mining and land use, and address wildlife management concerns. While much remains to be done to advance their common interests, this agreement lays the foundation for a world-class long-term partnership. “After some time, some countries indicated in a comprehensive reconciliation agreement that this would be a stepping stone to the treaty. Others do not want to be part of B.C.`s contract commission process. The Shared Prosperity Agreement announced today between the province, the Tahltan central government, and the Iskut and Tahltan councils recognizes the titles and rights of the Tahltans, but without the formal constitutional protection and recognition that a formal treaty would have. The province is providing $20 million to the Tahltan central government to support economic growth and reconciliation and to implement the agreement, which will be the second of its kind in B.C. The agreement recognizes that economic growth and development of a world-class mining region can only be achieved with continued progress in other areas and in accordance with the Declaration Act, the province said in a press release. Katrine Conroy, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resources and Rural Development, said: “The province and the central government of Tahltan have worked together to advance their common interests in building a sustainable and resilient relationship between governments in terms of land and resource use. This agreement will improve community, social and economic development in the Tahltan territory. The agreement between the two governments recognizes that economic growth and development of a world-class mining region can only be achieved with continued progress on other important issues. This includes ongoing cooperation on wildlife management, which recognizes Indigenous hunting rights and the rights of the Tahltan government and is consistent with the B.C.M Indigenous Peoples Bill of Law.
Day said he is looking forward to getting more land security through the planning process and reaching an agreement on the process with the province before development takes place. For more information, see: link.edgepilot.com/s/6f0b1252/v2SSR5ohh0SZYJbfXro24g?u=www.tahltan.org/ “We`ve been dealing with this for years because we didn`t have the relationship and structure that we`re going to have through the (Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples) and through agreements like this,” he said. Murray Rankin, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, said the agreement represents an important step forward in building a relationship between governments and helps Tahltan regain its sovereignty. The agreement includes $20 million in implementation funding from the province and a framework for joint land use development that recognizes Tahltan`s rights and title. The agreement includes a land use plan, with the first plan to be completed by 2023. Tahltan Central Government President Chad Norman Day examines Tahltan territory by helicopter in this July 2019 photo. The Tahltan Nation and the Government of British Columbia have reached a historic agreement on joint decision-making for the country`s territory in northwestern British Columbia.C., a hotspot for mineral exploration. Day says the agreement shows that they are “getting closer and closer to a true nation-to-nation relationship.” THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO – Tahltan Central Government The Tahltans believe that a joint prosperity agreement is preferable to a treaty because it does not seek to eradicate Indigenous rights and title. The president of the central government of Tahltan said the agreement was an example of how the adoption of the United Nations law on the rights of indigenous peoples by the provincial government can be implemented. “This economic partnership will open the door to exciting new and world-class mining developments in the region and create economic prosperity for Tahltan Nation members and B.C,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low-Carbon Innovation. “This agreement will further strengthen the relationship between the province and the Tahltan Nation as we work together to promote economic growth while creating stability for the entire region.” “We hope to work with nations under the conditions they want to continue,” Rankin said.
“And this is a great example, a stepping stone that I hope will lead to an even broader reconciliation agreement.” The Act establishes a framework for the B.C. Government to enter into agreements with Indigenous nations when making decisions affecting their territories. .