‘Na̲mg̲is First Nation and the Province have signed a letter of intent to negotiate a Forestry Reconciliation Agreement that, along with an updated Forestry Fund Agreement, will enhance governance capacity, develop a sustainable forestry program and improve the social, economic and cultural well-being of people in the community.

Two community forest awards, along with $10,000 grants, have been awarded to the West Boundary Community Forest for 2020 and the Westbank First Nation for 2021.

The Province has introduced legislation that will make B.C.’s approach to forests more focused on sustainability, return more benefits to people and local communities, and position B.C. to take full advantage of future economic opportunities through long-term planning.

Benjamin (Ben) Wilson is being recognized by the Province with the 2020 Minister’s Award for Innovation and Excellence in Woodlot Management for British Columbia’s North.

Robert (Bob) and Greg Sahlstrom are being recognized by the Province with a 2020 Minister’s Award for Innovation and Excellence in Woodlot Management for the South area.

The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) Forest Society, led by instructor Jonathan Smyth, is being recognized by the Province with the 2020 Minister’s Award for Innovation and Excellence in Woodlot Management for the Coast area.

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.

Today, Blueberry River First Nations and the Province have reached an initial agreement that begins to support healing the land, and helps provide stability and certainty for forestry and oil and gas permit holders in Blueberry’s traditional territory in the immediate term.