An Incremental Treaty Agreement (ITA) signed today by the B.C. government and Nazko First Nation, will expand economic development and job creation opportunities, and provide benefits to the First Nation in advance of a treaty final agreement.

Under the terms of the ITA, Nazko First Nation will receive over 275 hectares of Crown land. The first transfer is of two parcels totalling more than 103 hectares, near the main Nazko community west of Quesnel. The remaining land transfers will be based on achieving milestones in treaty and economic development opportunities.

The 103 hectares include an industrial site that Nazko First Nation will apply to have re-zoned to take advantage of economic opportunities. The land parcels will create jobs and new business opportunities, in timber and wood fibre, for Nazko First Nation members and surrounding communities. As a result of the agreement, as many as 300 direct and indirect jobs could be created over a 10-year period.

The early transfer of lands will help Nazko First Nation community members achieve immediate economic benefits.

Quotes:

Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Minister Mary Polak -

"Nazko First Nation has been diligent and successful in pursuing opportunities with several potential partners to create jobs, both for their members and for the broader community. Our approach to Incremental Treaty Agreements brings benefits more quickly to First Nations and families, which ultimately benefits all British Columbians."

Nazko First Nation Chief Delores Alec -

"We are pleased to have completed this agreement. The lands are an important component of our economic development plan. We are looking forward to the extension of three-phase power to Nazko to allow us to realize the full potential of these lands and the full value of this agreement."

Quick Facts:

• The Nazko ITA is B.C.'s third Incremental Treaty Agreement.
• Nazko First Nation's main community is approximately 120 kilometres west of Quesnel on the Nazko River.
• The Nazko Treaty Office entered the B.C. treaty process in November 1994, and is now in Stage 4 of the six-stage process, negotiating an agreement-in-principle.
• Since 2004, Nazko and B.C. have entered into forestry agreements to provide Nazko members with economic benefits from the forestry industry and to help address the pine beetle epidemic.
• A mountain pine beetle agreement entered into in 2007 provides an additional increase to the annual harvesting levels of dead wood resulting from the epidemic to assist with addressing the pine beetle infestation within the Nazko Traditional territory.
• In April 2011, Nazko entered into a new three-year Forestry Consultation and Revenue Sharing Agreement (FCRSA) that provides direct revenue-sharing from forestry-harvesting activity.

To view photos from the Nazko ITA signing, please visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bcgovphotos/7790199732/in/set-72157626169219923 and http://www.flickr.com/photos/bcgovphotos/7790201204/in/set-72157626169219923/

Learn more:

For more information about the Nazko First Nation and treaties in B.C., please visit: http://www.gov.bc.ca/arr

Media Contacts:

Robin Platts
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
250 387-1204
250 213-6451 (cell)

Bram Rogachevsky
Nazko First Nation
Chief Negotiator
604 566-9838
bram@brlaw.ca

Terrence Paul
Nazko First Nation
Councillor and Director of Treaty
250 992-9085
terrence@nazkoband.ca