The Nisga鈥檃 First Nation in northwestern British Columbia says it has reached a historic out-of-court settlement with the provincial government to resolve disputes that had come up in their 24-year-old treaty.

The Nisga鈥檃 Lisims government says in a news release that it has solved three key issues after starting the resolution process in 2019.

The nation was the first to reach a modern-day treaty in the province in 2000, and it includes a process for resolving differences between the Nisga鈥檃 and B.C. governments.

The nation says the newly signed agreement includes hunting limits for grizzly bear, moose, and mountain goats for all hunters in Nisga鈥檃 territory, and it 鈥渃onfirms鈥� how the province will consult with the nation as it enters talks with other groups that claim Aboriginal rights within the Nisga鈥檃 treaty areas.

The agreement also clarifies how environmental assessment and protection will apply to projects that may affect Nisga鈥檃 treaty rights.

The agreement was signed by Indigenous Relations Minister Murray Rankin and Nisga鈥檃 president Eva Clayton, who says she鈥檚 pleased the treaty has 鈥渟tood the test of time鈥� and provided a road map for the two governments to work together.

鈥淥ur commitment to Nisga鈥檃 citizens is to always ensure their rights under the treaty are upheld to the highest levels and that the treaty continues to serve our nation,鈥� she says in the release.

Rankin says the agreement provides clarity to both governments on various aspects of the treaty, including how the government should approach neighbouring First Nations when it may affect the Nisga鈥檃 treaty.

鈥淎s treaty partners, the province and the Nisga鈥檃 Nation are working together to evolve our relationship so we can help support strong, healthy, communities,鈥� he said.

READ ALSO:

The Canadian Press