A new agreement between the province and the Ktunaxa Nation Council will support economic development and job creation in the West Kootenay region and provide benefits to the Ktunaxa Nation in advance of a treaty.
Under the Incremental Treaty Agreement (ITA), the Ktunaxa will receive approximately 242 hectares of Crown land.
The transfer of the land, located outside the Village of Nakusp in the Wensley Bench area, will create new opportunities for local businesses interested in partnering with the Ktunaxa to develop the lands and expand their businesses.
This agreement and the business partnerships it will foster, will provide economic benefits and employment opportunities to the local community.
The early transfer of lands under ITAs supports the treaty negotiation process in British Columbia by demonstrating the significant benefits that treaties can bring to First Nations and to businesses and local communities.
Quick Facts:
B.C. is a partner with the Ktunaxa Nation in more than 10 agreements, initiatives and protocols.
Earlier this year, B.C. and Ktunaxa signed an Economic and Community Development Agreement (ECDA) that will enable the Ktunaxa Nation, comprised of the four communities of St. Mary's, Tobacco Plains, Lower Kootenay and Akisq'nuk, to share revenues from new coal mine projects in the Elk Valley.
Ktunaxa Nation Council represents over 1,500 Ktunaxa Nation members in four Ktunaxa communities within the British Columbia portion of their traditional territory.
A recent analysis by Ktunaxa Nation of its business interests suggests the Ktunaxa inject more than $30 million annually into the regional economy.
Learn More:
- For more information about the Incremental Treaty Agreement (Wensley Bench), please visit: http://www.gov.bc.ca/arr/treaty/key/default.html