A renewed strategic engagement agreement (SEA) will continue to strengthen the relationship between British Columbia and the Ktunaxa Nation, through ongoing engagement on resource stewardship issues.

The original SEA, signed in 2010, enabled the Ktunaxa Nation to more effectively engage with the province on land-use and resource development decisions in Ktunaxa Territory, resulting in more co-operative decision-making and leading to increased certainty for resource stewardship and development activities in the area.

Over the past three years, the agreement has established a strong and productive relationship between the province and the Ktunaxa Nation, states a Dec. 12 Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation press release, adding, the ongoing dialogue at government-to-government forums supports improved understanding of interests and positive and meaningful engagement.

“Ktunaxa remain unwavering in our role as stewards of this territory. As the Ktunaxa Nation and the province continue to move towards shared decision-making in relation to land and resources within our territory, we look forward to building upon the successes of the past three years while continuing to develop our government-to-government relationship with the province. The renewal of the Strategic Engagement Agreement is another positive step forward in this relationship,” said Ktunaxa Nation Chair Kathryn Teneese.

“Our government is committed to working in partnership with First Nations through non-treaty agreements as a way to bring benefits more quickly to First Nations communities and build toward treaty. The renewal of the Ktunaxa Nation SEA shows that our approach is working; when government and First Nations work collaboratively on resource management and land-use issues, everyone benefits,” said Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Minister John Rustad.

Kootenay East MLA and Energy and Mines and Responsible for Core Review Minister Bill Bennett noted, “The Ktunaxa people are showing tremendous leadership with their continuing commitment to engaging with the B.C. government. I am personally grateful to see the SEA renewed because of the streamlined approach it brings to our government-to-government relationship.”

The SEA covers more than 70,000 square kilometres in southeastern B.C., and involves four Ktunaxa communities.

A recent analysis by Ktunaxa Nation of its business interests suggests the Ktunaxa inject more than $30 million annually into the regional economy.

There is significant regional economic activity in the area, including:

* an estimated 80 per cent of provincial mining revenues;

* five proposed coal expansions;

* an improving regional forestry industry; and

* a large portion of B.C.’s hydroelectric production.

The SEA is renewed for another three-year term, expiring in 2016.

B.C. is a partner with the Ktunaxa Nation in numerous agreements, initiatives and protocols in the natural resources and social sectors.

This agreement complements two other agreements reached this year between B.C. and the Ktunaxa Nation:

– an incremental treaty agreement (still to be implemented) that will support economic development and job creation in the West Kootenay region and provide benefits to the Ktunaxa Nation in advance of a treaty agreement;

– a comprehensive revenue-sharing agreement that ensures that Ktunaxa Nation and its member communities benefit from resource development within its traditional territory.

Ktunaxa Nation Council represents over 1,100 Ktunaxa Nation members within the British Columbia portion of their traditional territory and includes the four Ktunaxa communities of ?Aq’am (St. Mary’s), Yaqan nu?kiy (Lower Kootenay), ?Akisq’nuk (Columbia Lake), and ?akinkum+asnuq+?it (Tobacco Plains).

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