Making Decisions Together
Last updated on August 12, 2024Section 7 of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act) enables the Province and Indigenous governing bodies to enter into agreements that recognize Indigenous decision-making with the provincial statutory decision-making framework.
These agreements outline the processes for joint or consent-based statutory decision-making while clarifying the roles and responsibilities of the Province and the Indigenous governing body.
The intent of these agreements is to provide certainty and stability in statutory decision-making and to recognize and implement Indigenous jurisdiction as part of B.C.’s decision-making process.
On June 6, 2022, the Province and the Tahltan Central Government (TCG) announced the finalization of the first decision-making agreement under the Declaration Act. The agreement honours the Tahltan’s role in land and resource management and provides clarity and predictability for the Eskay Creek Mine revitalization project, which is in Tahltan territory. The agreement sets out a collaborative process related to the environmental assessment of the project.
On Nov. 1, 2023, the Province and the TCG signed a consent-based decision-making agreement under section 7 of the Declaration on Act in relation to the future operation of the Red Chris gold and copper mine located in Tahltan territory.
On Nov. 2, 2023, the Province and the TCG announced the commitment to begin negotiations of a third decision-making agreement related to the collaborative assessment of proposed changes to the previously approved Galore Creek copper and gold mine.
The Province has a variety of agreements with First Nations and Indigenous organizations that include non-statutory decision-making.
Decision-making agreements - DRIPA section 7 Orders
- 602-2023: Negotiate agreement with the Tahltan Central Government related to the Galore Creek Copper-Gold-Silver Project
- 600-2023: Approval of Red Chris Porphyry Copper-Gold Mine agreement with Tahltan Central Government
- 348-2021: Negotiate Eskay Creek and Red Chris Projects Agreements with Tahltan Central Government
- 307-2022: Approval of Eskay Creek Project Agreement with Tahltan Central Government
- 444-2022: Negotiate Dock Agreement with Sechelt Nation
News Releases
- Province, ‘Namgis First Nation work on new sustainable forestry agreement (April 8, 2024)
- B.C., Tahltan Nation begin consent agreement talks on Galore Creek review (Nov. 2, 2023)
- Tahltan Nation, B.C. sign historic consent-based decision-making agreement (Nov. 1, 2023)
- B.C., shíshálh Nation will negotiate joint decision-making agreement (Aug. 2, 2022)
- Tahltan Central Government, B.C. make history under Declaration Act (June 6, 2022)
- Province, Tahltan Nation begin talks on shared decision-making (June 15, 2021)
- Final list identified for engagement during Tahltan negotiations (June 30, 2021)
Contact information
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1-800-880-1022
declaration@gov.bc.ca