John Rustad, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines, and Mary Polak, Minister of Environment gave the following statement regarding the government's decision to appoint a mediator to help address the protest of the Arctos Anthracite coal project near Mt. Klappan.

Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Minister John Rustad will attend a Sunrise Ceremony and a Lighting of the Sacred Fire at the PNE Grounds on Sept. 18, to mark the beginning of the sixth national event of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).

The Government of British Columbia has proclaimed that Sept. 16-22, 2013, shall be known as Reconciliation Week.

Campers, kayakers and tourism operators will benefit from a new campground and kayak launch site opening at Secret Beach, thanks to a one-of-a-kind agreement between B.C. and Toquaht Nation.

A new revenue-sharing agreement will enable the Squamish Nation to share provincial revenue from the Skookum Creek Power Project.

VAboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Minister John Rustad will be in the Northwest meeting with local community and First Nations leaders to discuss the tremendous economic opportunity in the region during a four-day tour starting Aug. 6 in Terrace.

The latest investment from B.C.'s First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund will help eight First Nations communities across the province to pursue their clean-energy goals.

An agreement with the B.C. government will enable the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations to share revenue from the Haa-ak-suuk Creek Power Project.