Nisga'a Nation sign Agreement with Province
Nisga’a Nation signs agreements with province reinforcing self-government
Nisga'a Nation & British Columbia Signing Ceremony | Video still, Nisga'a NationThe British Columbia government signed three agreements with the Nisga’a Nation July 31, building on the treaty with the First Nation group that originally came into effect in May 2000.
The agreements deal with the implementation of environmental assessments and consultation requirements covered by the treaty for projects in Nisga’a land, including the Kitsault molybdenum mine project. As well, they establish the right to collect property tax from anyone other than Nisga’a citizens on Nisga’a territory.
One of the agreements signs into effect the ability of the First Nation group to receive a share of tax revenues collected from the Kitsault project.
“These agreements affirm the ongoing government-to-government relationship between Nisga’a Nation and British Columbia necessary for the effective implementation of the Nisga’a Final Agreement,” said Nisga’a Lisims government president Mitchell Stevens.
“The benefits of these agreements will make significant contributions towards our vision to achieve sustainable prosperity and improve the quality of life of our Nisga’a citizens.”
The Kitsault mine project, owned by Avanti Mining and located northeast of Prince Rupert, is expected to bring in approximately $43 million in mineral tax revenue to the Nisga’a over the mine’s 16-year operational life.
The Nisga’a will also receive a portion of revenue from the Long Lake hydroelectric project outside of Stewart, B.C., which is forecast to be over $123,000 per year over the project’s life.
The Nisga’a Nation, which consists of four villages – Gitlaxxt’aamiks, Gitwinksihlkw, Laxgalts’ap and Gingolx – is located northwest of Terrace, B.C. The treaty signed with the First Nation group on May 11, 2000, was the first modern treaty in the province. There are two other modern treaties in effect: the Tsawassen First Nation treaty and the Maa-nulth treaty. Final agreements with Yale First Nation and Tla’amin Nation have been ratified but are not yet in effect.