In British Columbia, there is a shared commitment to ensure that the province is a place where the inherent rights of Indigenous Peoples are recognized, and Indigenous Peoples can thrive.

On June 29, 2021, the B.C. Supreme Court issued a historic ruling in Blueberry River First Nations (Yahey) v. Province of British Columbia, determining the Treaty 8 rights of the Blueberry River First Nations have been breached by development authorized by the provincial government over many years.

Treaties provide First Nations the authority and tools to take control of their future.

Economic opportunities and participation are a central part of reconciliation with B.C. First Nations.

Looking back at 2014, this has been a year of revitalizing partnerships between First Nations and the Province of British Columbia and focusing on reconciliation to improve the quality of life for Aboriginal people.

A key part of the BC Jobs Plan is government's commitment to improving opportunities and resources for First Nations to participate in resource activity in their traditional territory.

This past week, B.C. celebrated an agreement with the Kaska Dena Council in northwestern B.C. that will provide greater certainty about how resource development can proceed in more than 10 per cent of the province.

As 2011 draws to a close, Canadians have been confronted by stark examples of poverty in First Nations communities. We've also seen that solutions do not come easily.