New Agreements on Activities in Tsilhqot’in Title Lands Signed

The Tsilhqot’in Nation and the Province of B.C have signed five new agreements on activities in the Tsilhqot’in Declared Title area.

Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Scott Fraser said that the 2014 landmark decision raised a range of unique and complex questions the government is working with the Tsilhqot’in National Government to address as they move forward together to implement the Supreme Court’s decision.

“These agreements highlight the continued collaboration between our two governments to provide more certainty and clarity around governance of activities on the Tsilhqot’in territory,” he said.

Tuesday will mark the fourth anniversary of the Supreme Court of Canada historic decision that declared Aboriginal title to approximately 1,900 square kilometers of land.

“These temporary authorizations allow specific activities to occur within our title land that benefit local residents, visitors, and businesses,” said Xeni Gwet’in Chief Jimmy Lulua.

“We have a long way to go still and hope that a rejuvenated focus can be placed on meeting the basic needs of our community, our families, and our children.”

The five new agreements according to a joint news release are designed as an important step forward in the management of the Title area, in the short term, for the following activities:

• Access and authorization for commercial and residential recreation licences, leases and permits, previously issued to third parties by the provincial government
• Access for licensed angling guides and authorization for angling activities
• Access for registered trappers and authorization for trapping activities
• Management and continued public use, and commercial use under permit, for the provincial protected areas, Ts’ilʔos Park, Nunsti Park, and the Cardiff mountain Ecological Reserve
• Continued operation and use of previously established recreation sites in areas within the Title area.

“The Tŝilhqot’in Nation is looking for ways to provide certainty in the short term while working out long-term solutions,” said Chief Joe Alphonse, Tribal Chairman of the Tŝilhqot’in National Government.

“Unexpected delays and changes in government have been challenging but we expect once certainty is established for community members and others that we can fully address the needs of our future.”