MLIB, alongside six other Treaty 8 First Nations and the province, have taken a next step toward creating a thriving and community-centred local economy in northeastern British Columbia.
“Our members are the strength of our Nation, and these restoration agreements invest directly in our people.” Said Harley Chingee, “By creating local jobs and supporting intergenerational knowledge sharing, this work strengthens the economy while restoring the land for future generations.”
Restoration agreements will restore and protect the environment, provide predictability and stability to existing industries, as well as establish new business opportunities in the region, while ensuring historic Treaty Rights are upheld.
These agreements provide a combined investment of $283 million to the seven Treaty 8 First Nations over the next 10 years to support projects that will help restore and enhance ecosystems, including:
- species-at-risk recovery and habitat restoration
- post-wildfire restoration
- wetland and fish habitat restoration
- creating and implementing cultural burn plans
- enhancing the restoration of historic industrial sites (where no legal obligations exist)
- adopting climate change mitigation strategies
The funding will also support projects that will help protect and revive the culture and well-being of Treaty 8 First Nations. This includes language revitalization, cultural education, community programming and events, and reviving cultural land-management practices.
Restoration plans will be developed by individual Treaty 8 First Nations, and will include projects that reflect each Nation’s unique priorities and values. The Nations will work collaboratively with the provincial government and each other to coordinate, monitor and report on restoration activities.
Treaty 8 First Nations will continue to partner with qualified businesses and workers to implement restoration projects, generating new business and employment opportunities for the people in these communities. This keeps economic benefits in the local communities, strengthens local businesses and creates meaningful, year-round employment opportunities.
Quick Facts:
A Treaty 8-B.C. government stewardship forum has been formed to provide a venue for all participating Treaty 8 Nations to engage in restoration planning, collaboration and tracking with the Province.
In 2021, in Yahey v. B.C., the Supreme Court of British Columbia ruled that the Province breached its Treaty 8 obligations by failing to account for the cumulative effects of Crown-authorized industrial activities and past regulatory regimes.
In 2023, the Province and Treaty 8 First Nations developed a set of initiatives for how to evolve the management of lands and resources together, which is a critical part of B.C.’s work to meet the declarations of the court in the Yahey Decision.
For More Information: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2026ECS0011-000494