?Esdilagh First Nation is being awarded nearly $215,000 under the Special Circumstance provision of the BC Rural Dividend.

“We’re aware that some rural communities are facing difficulties in the aftermath of severe wildfires,” said Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development. “We have been working to prioritize certain project applications to help Indigenous and rural communities ensure they remain healthy and economically viable places to live and raise families.”

?Esdilagh First Nation’s project will create a strategy to develop and maintain a 30-kilometre network of nature trails, as well as design and build a 10-kilometre demonstration trail in the community. Members will be trained to build and maintain the trail. Additional project activities will include installing kiosks and signs for the trail, and recreation programs and events for ?Esdilagh youth skill development.

“We are looking forward to the trail project this year. Providing opportunities close to home, recreational or economic, greatly contributes to the quality of life in the community,” said ?Esdilagh Chief Victor Roy Stump. “We need this focus after the 2017 wildfires and the residual ongoing impacts they have had on our people.”  

Quick Facts:

• In Budget 2019, the Government of British Columbia committed to extending the $25-million-per-year Rural Dividend to 2021-22.
• More than $4.6 million has been awarded under special circumstances around the province from 2018-19 funding.
• Almost $19 million in 153 single applicant and partnership project grants are being awarded to eligible local governments, First Nations and not-for-profit organizations through the Rural Dividend Program.
• In January 2019, the Province also provided $673,124 in project development grants to 68 local governments, First Nations and not-for-profit organizations around B.C.
• The Rural Dividend is one aspect of government’s rural development mandate, which commits to supporting rural communities to reinvigorate and diversify their local economies.

Learn More:

?Esdilagh First Nation www.esdilagh.com/

BC Rural Dividend: www.gov.bc.ca/ruraldividend