A Prince George area First Nation has reached an agreement with the B.C. government, which marks the largest First Nation Woodland Licence in B.C. history.

The Lheidli TB次元官网网址檈nneh First Nation will have exclusive timber harvesting rights to an estimated 217,312 hectares within the NationB次元官网网址檚 territories east of Prince George, on both the north and south sides of the Highway 16 corridor, known as FNWL N2E.

The management plan for the FNWL supports decision-making authority over the planning, development, harvesting and cultural use of the timber resources within the area.

B次元官网网址淥ur new First Nations Woodland Licence will allow us to achieve greater economic certainty and the ability to act on our forest stewardship priorities, including supporting increased moose populations, which is a traditional food source for our members. We will continue to work with our local forest industry to achieve these objectives and we thank the B.C. government for believing in our vision and our ability to manage our forest resources,B次元官网网址� said Chief Dolleen Logan of Lheidli TB次元官网网址檈nneh First Nation.

The agreement was negotiated in 2021 at a negotiation table established by the Lheidli TB次元官网网址檈nneh First Nation and the B.C. government.

According to a statement by the B.C. government, B次元官网网址渢he table reflects shared commitments by both governments to work together respectfully and co-operatively in the spirit of ongoing reconciliation.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淭he Province has heard loud and clear that First Nations across British Columbia want to play a larger role in the forest sector and in sustainable forest management. ThatB次元官网网址檚 why we are engaging in government-to-government dialogue that considers the inherent rights, diversity of interests and values of Indigenous communities,B次元官网网址� said Katrine Conroy, minister of forests.

B次元官网网址淭odayB次元官网网址檚 agreement is real progress toward meaningful reconciliation and meeting our commitment to create new opportunities for Indigenous Peoples by doubling the amount of replaceable forest tenure held by First Nations.B次元官网网址�

The new agreement will see the N2E gross land base increased by approximately 206312 hectares.