Image Credit: Government of B.C.

By Adam Berls

mcleod lake

McLeod Lake Indian Band, Province sign agreements to protect treaty rights

May 3, 2023 | 3:51 PM

VICTORIA — The McLeod Lake Indian Band and the provincial government have reached new agreements outlining how co-management and stewardship of the land and natural resources in the Nation’s territory will evolve.

A letter of agreement and a revenue sharing agreement were signed to guide joint work on assessing and managing the impacts of industrial development and creating a shared path forward for healing and restoring the land, while providing certainty to industry partners working with Nations in their territories.

“These agreements prioritize sustainability, fair distribution of benefits and Treaty Rights,” said Chief Harley Chingee, McLeod Lake Indian Band. “Not only will they benefit our present members, but they also ensure that future generations will inherit more prosperous and healthy land. We are committed to working collaboratively with Treaty 8 Nations and the Government of B.C.”

“This is important work for all of us – it’s about leaving the land in a good way for future generations,” said Nathan Cullen, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. “Together with Chief Chingee and McLeod Lake Indian Band, we will make shared decisions on the land that ensure all Nation members can meaningfully exercise their Treaty Rights, while building a healthy and prosperous future for everyone.”

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The agreements will bring new opportunities, including:

• a new revenue-sharing approach to support the priorities of McLeod Lake Indian Band;
• a multi-year shared restoration fund to help heal the land through restoration activities selected by the Nation;
• a new approach to wildlife co-management that promotes improved shared understanding and management of wildlife in areas of cultural importance to McLeod Lake;
• new land-use plans and protection measures;
• pilot projects to advance shared decision-making for planning and stewardship activities with other Treaty 8 Nations and the Province to address cumulative effects; and
• actions to promote education about Treaty 8 through collaborative promotion, anti-racism training and awareness building.