Key Agreements - Land and Resources

The Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation helps integrate First Nation perspectives and interests in land-use planning and resource-related activities taking place across government. The Province develops land and resource agreements with First Nations and other parties to enhance economic opportunities, support social development, and in some cases, support the negotiation of treaties with First Nations. For First Nations not in the treaty process, SEAs provide an opportunity to take a more active role in the decision making process and develop a stronger government to government relationship with the province.

Forest Consultation and Revenue Sharing Agreements

British Columbia has introduced a new type of forestry agreement, the Forest Consultation and Revenue Sharing Agreement (FCRSA) that provides First Nation communities with economic benefits returning directly to their community based on harvest activities in their traditional territory. The changes to the revenue sharing model will reflect what is happening ‘on the ground’ in First Nations communities so that for the first time, communities will see more direct economic benefits returning from harvest activities taking place in their traditional territory. As the forest sector recovers, the amount of revenues shared with First Nations will increase.

For a complete list of agreements click on Forest Consultation and Revenue Sharing Agreements.

Strategic Engagement Agreements

Strategic Engagement Agreements (SEA) with First Nations are intended to encourage a positive and respectful government-to-government relationship, strengthen B.C.’s investment climate and establish mutually agreed upon procedures for consultation and accommodation. Entering into SEAs with First Nations is one of many tools being used by government to support the New Relationship and Transformative Change Accord objectives. For those First Nations who chose to also enter the treaty process, SEAs can help to build the mechanisms to support decision making in a post-treaty environment. For First Nations not in the treaty process, SEAs provide an opportunity to take a more active role in the decision making process and develop a stronger government to government relationship with the province.

Whóoshtin yan too.aat / Land and Resource Management and Shared Decision Making Agreement - signed July 19, 2011
A government-to-government agreement worth up to $650,000 between the Province and Taku River Tlingit First Nation that establishes a collaborative framework for the implementation of the Atlin Taku Land Use Plan and ongoing land and resource decision-making in Taku River Tlingit First Nation territory.

Ktunaxa Strategic Engagement Agreement - signed October 22, 2010
A $1.65 million strategic agreement between the Province and Ktunaxa Nation that will result in more co-operative decision-making and lead to increased certainty for resource activities in Ktunaxa Territory.

Tsilhqot'in Strategic Engagement Agreement – amended August 2011
A $1.26 million strategic agreement, ratified by the parties in 2009, between the Province and Tsilhqot'in National Government streamlines consultation on natural resource decisions, provides increased certainty for investors and builds on government's New Relationship with B.C. Aboriginal communities.

Nanwakolas Strategic Engagement Agreement – amended November 2011
A $2.25-million agreement, signed in September 2009, streamlining consultation on natural resource decisions, provide increased certainty for investors and build on government's New Relationship with B.C. Aboriginal communities. The agreement was amended in fall 2011 and now includes eight coastal First Nations.

Economic and Community Development Agreements

Economic and Community Development Agreements (ECDA) are agreements between Government and First Nations for sharing the direct mineral tax revenue on new mines and major mine expansions.

McLeod Lake Indian Band Economic and Community Development Agreement – signed August 25, 2010
A revenue-sharing agreement between the Province of British Columbia and the McLeod Lake Indian Band to share mineral tax royalties from the Mt. Milligan Mine.

Stk'emlupsemc of the Secwepemc Nation Economic and Community Development Agreement – signed August 24, 2010
A mining revenue-sharing agreement between the Province of British Columbia and the Stk'emlupsemc of the Secwepemc Nation to share mineral tax royalties from the New Afton Mine.

Tse Key Nay Agreement for Reclamation, Remediation and Monitoring of Mine Sites – Signed February 25, 2009 The Tse Key Nay (Takla Lake, Kwadacha and Tsay Key Dene First Nations) and the Province of British Columbia have entered into an agreement to develop and implement a Reclamation, Remediation and Monitoring Plan to address current and historic mining sites within the asserted territories of the Takla Lake, Kwadacha and Tsay Key Dene First Nations.

Other Agreements

Sts'ailes First Nation Memorandum of Understanding – signed November 1, 2011
Through the MOU, government and the First Nation will work together to create a more collaborative, coordinated and efficient approach to the management of land and natural resources; and develop new economic opportunities and initiatives that enable Sts'ailes to make progress toward their socio-economic objectives.

Tahltan Framework Agreement – signed May 16, 2011
The Tahltan Nation and the Province of BC signed a government-to-government agreement regarding the parties' commitments with respect to the development of the Northwest Transmission Line (NTL). The agreement provides commitments from BC to negotiate future agreements related to shared decision-making, economic opportunities through revenue sharing, managing social and cultural changes and planning for energy development associated with the NTL project.

Blueberry River First Nations Agreements – Final Agreement signed September 29, 2008
The Province and Blueberry River First Nations signed a Final Agreement which unites an Economic Benefits Agreement and seven Resource Management Agreements.

Treaty 8 First Nations Agreements – Final Agreement signed May 20, 2009
The Province and three Treaty 8 First Nations – Doig River First Nation, West Moberly First Nations and Prophet River First Nation – signed a Final Agreement which unites an Amended Economic Benefits Agreement and eight Resource Management Agreements.

Kwadacha First Nation Final Agreement – Signed November 27, 2008
The Kwadacha First Nation's final agreement with BC Hydro and the Province addresses historic damages that occurred from the creation and operation of the W.A.C. Bennett Dam and Williston Reservoir.

Tsay Kay Dene Williston Reservoir – Bennett Dam Agreement in Principle – Signed August 31, 2009
The Province of British Columbia and BC Hydro signed a final agreement with the Tsay Keh Dene Band that addresses the impacts that occurred from the creation and operation of the W.A.C. Bennett Dam and Williston Reservoir.

Clayoquot Sound Interim Measures Extension Agreement – Signed March 31 2009
The Province supports the Central Region Chiefs' Administration and the Central Region Board, a joint BC/First Nations body that provides First Nations and local government input into the management of the lands and resources of Clayoquot Sound. The board reviews resource development plans, applications, permits, decisions, reports or recommendations made by ministries, agencies or panels. The Hawiih (Hereditary Chiefs) of the Tla–o–qui–aht, Ahousaht, Hesquiaht, Toquaht and Ucluelet First Nations and the Province signed the first interim measures agreement in 1994.