BACKGROUNDER
2006AL0002-000066 Feb. 7, 2006	Ministry of Agriculture and Lands Office of the Premier
FIRST NATION CONSULTATION KEY TO LAND USE DECISIONS

Twenty-five First Nations were consulted during the historic Central Coast and North Coast LRMP planning process and played an integral role in the land use decisions announced today. Eighteen First Nations represented in the LRMP process are expected to sign government‑to‑government land use agreements with the Province (denoted by *):

• *Gitga’at (CC and NC)
• *Haisla (CC and NC)
• *Kitasoo (CC and NC)
• *Heiltsuk (CC)
• *Wuikinuxv (CC)
• *Metlakatla (NC)
• *Da’naxda’xw (CC)
• *Gwa’Sala-Nakwaxda’xw (CC)
• *Kwiakah (CC)
• *Mamalikikula-Que’Qwa’Sot’Em (CC)
• *We Wai Kai (Cape Mudge) (CC)
• *We Wai Kum (Campbell River) (CC)
• *Namgis (CC)
• *Tlowitsis (CC)
• *Gitxaala (NC)
• *Kitselas (NC)
• *Kitsumkalum (NC)
• *Homalco (CC)
• Lax Kw’alaams (NC)
• Nuxalk (CC)
• Ulkatcho (CC)
• Gwawaenuk (CC)
• Tsawataineuk (CC)
• Kwicksutaineuk-Ah-Kwa-mish (Gilford Island) (CC)

 

Further consultation with First Nations will also include the visual management system proposed by the tourism and forest industries at the public table. This will focus on key visual resources such as major marine travel routes, highway corridors, lodges and marine approaches to manage areas important to tourism operators, forestry operators and recreational users.

 

The Province also consulted with the Nisga’a Lisims government in keeping with commitments set out in the Nisga’a Final Agreement. Discussions with the other First Nations are ongoing and may result in additional agreements.

 

The provincial government and First Nations have embarked on developing a new relationship based on mutual respect and the principles of recognition and reconciliation. Land and resource management plans and the opportunities they provide are an important part of that endeavour.

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Media contact:	Mike Morton Press Secretary Office of the Premier 250 213-8218	Liz Bicknell Communications Director Ministry of Agriculture and Lands 250 356-2862
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