The Province of British Columbia and Blueberry River First Nations have agreed to adjourn pending litigation until Oct. 15, 2018, as an outcome of productive negotiations.

The Province and Blueberry River are continuing discussions outside of court, to collaboratively address Blueberry River’s concerns about the effects of resource development in their territory and on their Treaty 8 rights, including hunting, fishing and trapping.

Measures that B.C. and Blueberry River have agreed to work together on include:

• Collaboration on land-use planning in the Fort St. John timber supply area, as part of a process that engages all Treaty 8 First Nations, stakeholders, and the public;
• Restoration initiatives, including work on restoring important wildlife habitat;
• Measures related to wildlife protection, including moose monitoring in critical areas; and
• A commitment to develop new First Nations consultation processes intended to create a more collaborative approach to resource development approvals.

The adjournment signals a renewed commitment by the provincial government and Blueberry River to work together as partners to balance sustainable resource development and environmental stewardship for future generations.

Consultation and approval processes for forestry and oil and gas activities in areas of interest for Blueberry River will continue while discussions are ongoing.