Tŝilhqot’in Nation, B.C. strengthen relationship (flickr.com)

Media Contacts

Myanna Desaulniers

Tŝilhqot’in National Government
250 305-7885
myanna@tsilhqotin.ca

Lindsay Byers

Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
Lindsay.Byers@gov.bc.ca

Art Aronson

Ministry of Indigenous Relations and
Reconciliation
250 893-2028
Arthur.Aronson@gov.bc.ca

Backgrounders

Tŝilhqot’in decision, Gwets’en Nilt’i Pathway Agreement

Following the 2014 Supreme Court of Canada Tŝilhqot’in decision, which established a declaration of Aboriginal Title for the Tŝilhqot’in Nation, the Tŝilhqot’in Nation and British Columbia signed a Letter of Understanding on Feb. 10, 2014, followed by the Nenqay Deni Accord (the Accord) on Feb. 11, 2016. The accord was a five-year road map for negotiations leading to long-term reconciliation between the Province and the Tŝilhqot’in National Government (TNG). 

In August 2019, TNG, British Columbia and Canada signed the Gwets’en Nilt’i Pathway Agreement, which continues the provincial commitments from the accord and brings Canada into the reconciliation process as a fully vested partner. The agreement creates a framework for TNG, British Columbia and Canada to work together through the Declared Title Area transition process, provide a clear pathway for Tŝilhqot’in management and control, and to benefit from the declared Title Lands, while providing certainty to British Columbia, Canada and third parties about respective roles, rights and responsibilities. 

The agreement lists eight pillars of reconciliation and describes milestones for progress in each of these areas:

  • Tŝilhqot’in governance;
  • strong Tŝilhqot’in culture and language;
  • healthy children and families;
  • healthy communities;
  • justice;
  • education and training;
  • Tŝilhqot’in Nen (lands, waters and resources), including Declared Title Area Transition; and
  • sustainable economic base.

Learn More:

2014 Supreme Court of Canada Tŝilhqot’in decision: https://scc-csc.lexum.com/scc-csc/scc-csc/en/item/14246/index.do