The Tahltan Central Government and the Province of British Columbia have committed to negotiate the first decision-making agreement under Section 7 of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.

This agreement is intended to support ongoing work to collaboratively achieve long-term comprehensive reconciliation and land-use predictability in Tahltan Territory.

Section 7 of the Declaration Act sets out provisions for negotiating consent-based decision-making agreements for the purposes of reconciliation.

The Province and Tahltan Central Government have committed to negotiate a decision-making agreement related to environmental assessment approvals for the restart of the Eskay Creek Mine and an expansion of the Red Chris Mine in the northwest of the province.

Section 7 of the Declaration Act ensures provisions for engagement with local governments and potentially affected stakeholders. The final list of partners and stakeholders that will be consulted during negotiations on the decision-making agreement are:

• Skeena Resources Limited
• Newcrest Red Chris Mining Ltd.
• Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine
• Mining Association of British Columbia
• Association for Mineral Exploration
• Business Council of British Columbia

As part of their broader reconciliation partnership, Tahltan and the provincial government will also initiate a comprehensive engagement strategy to seek input from a wide range of stakeholders, interested parties, business and industry, residents and the public this fall.