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CAMPBELL RIVER – The Province is providing $365,000 for the expansion of the Nanwakolas Clearinghouse pilot project and development of a Strategic Engagement Agreement. Minister of Forests and Range Pat Bell made the announcement today on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands along with Nanwakolas Council President Dallas Smith at the First Nations Resource Opportunity Conference.
“This funding will be used to continue the pilot project to Dec. 31, 2009, with the intent to negotiate a Strategic Engagement Agreement that will establish a coordinated land and resource consultation structure for the longer term,” said Bell. “Reducing the burden of provincial agency referrals on First Nations in favour of a more coordinated approach is an important part of upholding the spirit of the New Relationship.”
The Nanwakolas Clearinghouse acts as a single window for First Nations referrals related to natural resource applications in the Nanwakolas Council’s territories. The original agreement was signed on May 8, 2007 and emerged as a result of the Central Coast Land Use Decision. Both First Nations and the Province share a desire to coordinate and improve the efficiency of resource decision making. The current members of the clearinghouse are the Mamalilikulla-Qwe’Qwa’Sot’Em, Tlowitsis, Da’naxda’xw Awaetlatla, Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw, Kwiakah, K’ómoks, Kwakiutl, and We Wai Kai First Nations.
“We are excited about the growing success of the clearinghouse project as it is foundational to the development of a Strategic Engagement Agreement, which will further advance the relationship between the Province and our First Nations on natural resource related issues,” said Smith. “Making the announcement here at the First Nations Resource Opportunity Conference is ideal because this conference reflects the kind of forward thinking needed to build certainty for natural resource investment in this region.”
The conference
took place on We Wai Kai Nation traditional territory near Campbell River and
was spearheaded by the late Honourable Minister Stan Hagen and the Nanwakolas
Council. As part of the conference
delegates took part in a celebration to recognize the accomplishments and contributions
Minister Hagen made to First Nations and
The tribute included a First Nations mourning song and slideshow presentation. An estimated 150 delegates from First Nation and natural resource sector companies, associations and agencies were in attendance.
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contact: |
Communications Director Ministry of Agriculture and Lands 250 356-2862 250 213-3072 (cell) |
President Nanwakolas Council 250 203-0280 (cell) |
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