Summary

• The public is invited to an open house in Tumbler Ridge to learn more about and share input on West Moberly First Nations Treaty Land Entitlement (TLE) proposed land transfers in northeastern B.C.
• Public engagement is now open for the West Moberly First Nations’ Outstanding Lands Phase 1 package and this engagement period will run until June 30, 2026
• The Province is transferring lands to Treaty 8 First Nations to make up for lands owed since Treaty 8 was signed and to accommodate for the impacts of the Site C project
• The proposed land parcels are only selected from Crown lands and not from privately owned fee-simple lands

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The public is invited to an open house, put on by the Province of British Columbia, on Saturday, June 13, 2026, to learn more about and share input on West Moberly First Nations Treaty Land Entitlement (TLE) most recent package of proposed land transfer selections in northeastern B.C., known as Outstanding Lands Package 1.

Continued public engagement about the proposed land transfers is essential for building awareness, strengthening relationships in the region and advancing reconciliation. The drop-in open house follows years of engagement on other TLE land parcels with local governments, interest groups, tenure and permit holders, and adjacent landowners.

The Province will share information about the 13 land parcels proposed for transfer, with a focus on the Tumbler Ridge parcel. Representatives of the Province will answer questions from members of the public and engage in dialogue about interests that people may have about specific parcels at this in-person open house.

The open house will include display boards, maps, backgrounder documents and tables with staff present to share information with attendees. There will be an optional, short presentation provided at 2 p.m.

No registration is necessary. Everyone is welcome to attend and review the information materials in their own time during the open house. Provincial staff will be present to engage in one-on-one and small group dialogue during the open house. Comment forms will be available for attendees to fill out.

Location and time:

Event date: Saturday, June 13, 2026
Time: 1-4 p.m., presentation at 2 p.m.
Location: Tumbler Ridge Community Centre
340 Front St.
Tumbler Ridge

For more information or to ask questions directly if unable to attend the open house, email: Mirr.Northeast@gov.bc.ca 

Information presented at the open house will be available online for those unable to attend in-person.

Treaty Land Entitlement (TLE)

Following the signing of Treaty 8 between 1900-14, the Government of Canada allocated reserve land to eight First Nations in northeastern British Columbia. Under Treaty 8, the Crown guaranteed the First Nation signatories would receive land according to a population-based formula.

Some Treaty 8 First Nations did not receive all the land they were entitled to under the signed Treaty. These First Nations filed TLE claims seeking resolution with the Province and Canada for the lands owed to them under Treaty 8.

On April 15, 2023, five Treaty 8 First Nations in B.C., alongside provincial and federal government representatives, announced settlement and lands agreements of the Nations’ TLE claims. Now that the agreements have been signed, the process to transfer the lands is underway.

Northeast land transfer implementation

Together, the Province and Treaty 8 First Nations are working to implement the transfer of Crown lands that are owed to Treaty 8 First Nations under two types of agreements:

• TLE Settlement and Lands Agreements to address lands promised but not provided since the signing of Treaty 8 and settle the First Nations’ claims
• Site C Tripartite Land Agreements (TLA) lands to compensate for impacts of the Site C Clean Energy Project on Treaty 8 rights

As of June 2026, 14 parcels have been successfully transferred to First Nations under TLE and TLA, with more expected in 2026 and 2027.

The lands selection process for TLE and TLA lands has always been guided by the principle that only Crown lands are selected. Private fee-simple property rights are protected through this process.

West Moberly First Nations’ Outstanding Lands Phase 1 package

Under West Moberly First Nations’ TLE Agreement, a portion of the land amount committed to transfer, had not been selected. This outstanding amount is referred to as Outstanding Lands. West Moberly is identifying new parcels to fulfil this commitment and has identified 13 new parcels to date.

The Outstanding Lands Package 1, the first set of new land selections to make up the full land amount, contains a total of 13 land parcels in northeastern B.C., including one parcel in Tumbler Ridge. The proposed land parcels are only selected from Crown lands and not from privately owned property.

The Province is interested in hearing public interests and concerns about the proposed land transfers, which will be considered as part of decisions for the transfer of Crown lands through TLE settlements and Site C Land Agreements.

Public comment on the West Moberly First Nations’ Outstanding Lands Phase 1 package will close on June 30, 2026.

Previous engagement

From 2017 until 2024, the Province engaged on parcels that are in TLE agreements. Local government, interest holders, interested parties and regional communities have been fully engaged and the land selections has been finalized for most of the TLE lands selections.

In addition to the upcoming open house on the proposed West Moberly outstanding land parcels, the Province is committed to continued engagement at the local level through the Northeast Roundtable and regular community meetings.

Quick Facts:

• The five Treaty 8 First Nations that currently have TLE settlements are:
  • Blueberry River First Nations and Doig River First Nation (in a joint claim)
  • Halfway River First Nation and West Moberly First Nations (in a joint claim)
  • Saulteau First Nations
• The resolution of the TLE claims is the result of dedicated efforts by successive First Nation councils, staff, membership and negotiators since 2004.
• The TLE settlements demonstrate the federal and provincial governments’ commitment to advancing reconciliation – one that shows commitment to build trust, acknowledges and respects the Treaty relationship, and helps build a better future for all Canadians.

Learn More:

• Find out more about Treaty Land Entitlement and the proposed land transfers: https://engage.gov.bc.ca/govtogetherbc/engagement/land-transfers-in-northeast-bc/
• Read the 2023 announcement about settlement and lands agreements of five Treaty 8 First Nations’ TLE claims here: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023IRR0019-000539
• West Moberly First Nations: https://westmo.org/