The Ministry of Environment and the Stó:lo Tribal Council signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) earlier this week that addresses human-wildlife conflicts, public health and safety, and fish and wildlife resources, Environment Minister Terry Lake and the Stó:lo Tribal Council announced today.

The MOU will allow the Conservation Officer Service (COS) and the Stó:lo Tribal Council to learn from each other about compliance and enforcement and to build a stronger relationship.

While conservation officers have been providing the Stó:lo Nation with parts of dead wildlife for sustenance, social and ceremonial purposes, this MOU recognizes the importance of these resources to the Stó:lo Nation and establishes a clear process to distribute fish and wildlife resources to its members.

Over the past several years, the Ministry of Environment's COS and the Stó:lo Tribal Council have been working together to establish a new approach for engaging in a meaningful relationship. The resulting MOU is designed to promote collaboration and communications between the parties regarding public safety and compliance and enforcement, according to both Stó:lo Tribal Council laws, policies, customs and traditions as well as provincial laws and common law.

The MOU was signed by the COS and Stó:lo Tribal Council at the Seabird Island First Nation on Monday, Feb. 27.

Quotes:

Environment Minister Terry Lake -

"I wish to thank all the members who contributed to this agreement. The partnership between the Stó:lo Tribal Council and the COS serves as an excellent example of organizations working together to protect the environment and our wildlife."

Grand Chief Clarence Pennier, Stó:lo Tribal Council -

"We're very appreciative about the work we've being doing with conservation officer Lance Sundquist over the last two years. This is MOU will open up lines of communication, and with trust and respect the COS will be able to better understand what we value at the Stó:lo Tribal Council, and vice versa."

Chief conservation officer Lance Sundquist -

"Through this process we have defined many areas in which we will collaboratively work towards common goals. This MOU provides a new agreement to exchange information and skills and offers a framework that could be applied throughout the province."

"I would like to acknowledge his Honour, the Honourable Steven Point, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, for his vision and guidance during the initial discussions, which culminated in the development of the MOU."

Learn More:

For more information about Ministry of Environment services: http://www.gov.bc.ca/env/

Contact:

Suntanu Dalal
Communications
Ministry of Environment
250 387-9745