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Tla’amin Nation, B.C. enhance collaborative stewardship

Press Release

April 2, 2026

VICTORIA –

Summary

  • On April 2, 2026, the B.C. government and Tla’amin Nation signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to enhance collaborative stewardship in Tla’amin Nation’s territory
  • The MOU sets out a collaborative process to enhance land and resource management, including restoring ecosystems, improving water resource management and protecting cultural sites
  • The signing of the memorandum of understanding comes almost 10 years to the day since the Tla’amin Treaty came into effect on April 5, 2016

The Government of British Columbia and Tla’amin Nation have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to enhance collaborative stewardship actions in Tla’amin Nation territory, focusing on advancing key treaty commitments through a shared stewardship framework.

The MOU, or the yiχmɛtštəm ʔəms gɩǰɛ Territorial Stewardship Action Plan, sets out how the B.C. government and Tla’amin Nation will work together to care for land and water, heritage resources, and Tla’amin wildlife harvesting rights in the region. In the Tla’amin language, yiχmɛtštəm ʔəms gɩǰɛ means “together we are taking care of the land.”

“With the signing of this memorandum of understanding, the Province and Tla’amin Nation have taken a significant step forward to implement key commitments of the Tla’amin Treaty,” said Randene Neill, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. “This work will happen in the years ahead, continuing our collaborative work on reconciliation and environmental stewardship that benefits ecosystems and the region’s communities — both now and in the future. The MOU will have no impact on privately owned land in the area covered by this agreement.”

The MOU creates a shared negotiation, planning and management framework for some of the most important areas of Tla’amin Nation territory, ensuring that the area’s lands and waters continue to support the Tla’amin people and others living in the region in the long term.

The MOU supports commitments made by the Province when the Tla’amin Treaty (ʔaʔǰɩnxʷegəs, or “a good relationship”) came into effect on April 5, 2016. That treaty recognizes, affirms and enables Tla’amin Nation’s rights, title and governance.

“This MOU moves treaty commitments forward in some of the most important parts of our territory,” said Hegus John Hackett. “The treaty is a living document. Through this MOU we’re taking an honest look at what climate change, industry and human pressure have done to these lands and working in partnership, we will ensure these places remain healthy for everyone in the region to enjoy now and into the future.”

Specifically, the MOU commits the Province and Tla’amin Nation to work on five priority areas (see additional details in the backgrounder below):

  • a shared decision-making agreement for the toqʷanən (Theodosia) watershed
  • a negotiated Tla’amin maloχᶗhom (groundwater) allocation
  • a renewed reasonable opportunity agreement to support wildlife harvesting rights
  • collaborative management of parks and protected areas
  • a co-ordinated approach to protecting Tla’amin cultural heritage resources

Collectively, these five priorities are about taking care of the land for future generations and making sure that both Tla’amin people and non-Indigenous communities in the region benefit from improved stewardship of water, forest and land resources, and continue to enjoy recreational activities in the area.

Tla’amin Treaty

Tla’amin Nation is a Modern Treaty Nation, since the Tla’amin Treaty came into effect on April 5, 2016. Modern treaties are living agreements that establish an ongoing relationship between governments and provide a framework for managing responsibilities for land and resources over the long term.

The signing of this memorandum of understanding comes at a time when Tla’amin Nation and the provincial and federal governments are commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Tla’amin Treaty as a milestone on the path of reconciliation.

Since the Tla’amin Treaty came into effect, Tla’amin Nation has grown and diversified its economy through enhanced forestry operations, new real estate development, culturally enriched tourism operations and more.

Implementation of the new MOU

Modern treaties are “living agreements”. This memorandum of understanding marks the next phase of implementing key commitments made in the Tla’amin Treaty. The MOU includes a central agreement and five appendices, one for each priority area. Each appendix sets out a shared vision for that task, the purpose of that work and a high-level plan for moving forward.

During the first phase of the MOU’s implementation, the B.C. government and Tla’amin Nation will complete five work plans to begin implementation of the agreement. These work plans will set out timelines, identify key deliverables and outline how the work will be carried out by both governments.

This work is expected to continue over multiple years, with the MOU providing a framework that can be renewed as progress is made on the agreement’s objectives.

Quotes:

Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests –

“This is what it looks like to sit at a table together and get big things done. Protecting biodiversity and wildlife through conservation, habitat restoration and responsible stewardship are at the core of how we manage our forests. The Tla’amin are strong stewards of their land. Through collaboration and shared decision-making, we are getting to work for the Tla’amin and their surrounding communities.”

Tamara Davidson, Minister of Environment and Parks –

“Having visited Tla’amin Nation with Minister Neill, I recognize and understand the desire to strengthen stewardship of these beautiful natural spaces. This agreement will help realize that purpose, with actions that protect cultural heritage and bring us together on park management of these significant and sought-after spaces.”

Spencer Chandra Herbert, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation –

“Working together, we get more done. Ten years of treaty with Tla’amin Nation has led to more prosperous communities and healthier lands and waters for all who love the Sunshine Coast. We have so much more to do together and I’m excited for the next 10 years ahead.”

Learn More:

Two backgrounders follow.

Contacts:

Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
Media Relations
GCPE.WLRSMedia@gov.bc.ca
250-419-8775

Davis McKenzie
Media Relations
Tla’amin Nation
media@tn-bc.ca
778-834-7934

BACKGROUNDER 1

Facts about the memorandum of understanding

  • Tla’amin Nation is located on British Columbia’s upper Sunshine Coast, in the qathet regional district.
  • The memorandum of understanding sets out a process to:
    • develop a shared vision for the long-term stewardship of the toqwanən (Theodosia) watershed
    • respectfully integrate Tla’amin rights and ʔəms taʔow (ancestral teachings) into park management
    • protect Tla’amin cultural heritage resources and minimize impacts to sensitive sites;
    • co-ordinate and improve our approach to managing Tla’amin’s wildlife harvesting rights throughout the territory
    • build a common understanding of groundwater availability to support groundwater allocation as committed to in the treaty
  • The MOU event held at the B.C. Parliament Buildings on April 2 included a paddle signing ceremony.
    • The paddle, created by a Tla’amin Nation carver, tells the story of the chiefs of the underwater world (salmon and red snapper) who carry responsibility for mediating conflict, maintaining balance, and making decisions together.

Contacts:

Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
Media Relations
GCPE.WLRSMedia@gov.bc.ca
250-419-8775

Davis McKenzie
Media Relations
Tla’amin Nation
media@tn-bc.ca
778-834-7934

BACKGROUNDER 2

Territorial stewardship MOU

On Thursday, April 2, 2026, Tla’amin Nation and the B.C. government signed the yiχmɛtštəm ʔəms gɩǰɛ memorandum of understanding (MOU) that covers land, water and resource stewardship in Tla’amin Nation territory. The signing of this MOU comes almost 10 years to the day since the Tla’amin Treaty (ʔaʔǰɩnxʷegəs, or “a good relationship”) came into effect on April 5, 2016. The Tla’amin Treaty affirms Tla’amin Nation’s rights, title and governance.

The MOU sets out how the B.C. government and Tla’amin Nation will work together to care for land, water and heritage resources and on Tla’amin wildlife harvesting rights, including within parks and protected areas. It supports collaborative decision-making in areas of Tla’amin territory.

This MOU advances key Tla’amin Treaty commitments by establishing a working relationship and set of stewardship actions related to the five priority areas of the agreement.

The five agreement areas

toqʷanən (Theodosia) Watershed
Tla’amin Nation and the B.C. government will work together to make decisions in the toqʷanən watershed. The focus is on restoring salmon, habitats and cultural sites after decades of impacts from human activity. This work includes exploring the idea of establishing protected areas, including a potential Indigenous protected and conserved area.

maloχᶗhom (groundwater)
Tla’amin Nation and the B.C. government will work together to better understand and manage groundwater resources throughout the region. This includes technical studies of aquifers and water quality, potentially leading to a Tla’amin Treaty water reservation.

Reasonable opportunity
This work ensures that Crown land use decisions do not undermine Tla’amin harvesting rights. The MOU will be updated to clarify processes, improve how impacts are assessed and better account for cumulative effects and climate change.

Cultural heritage
Tla’amin Nation and the B.C. government will strengthen protection of cultural sites throughout the territory. This includes improved monitoring, enforcement and record-keeping, along with support for Guardians and respectful land use.

Parks and protected areas
BC Parks will work closely with Tla’amin Nation to protect cultural heritage in Desolation Sound Marine Park and other protected areas within Tla’amin territory, implement the 2008 Desolation Sound Marine Parks Management plan, and manage visitor use sustainably.

Contacts:

Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
Media Relations
GCPE.WLRSMedia@gov.bc.ca
250-419-8775

 

Davis McKenzie
Media Relations
Tla’amin Nation
media@tn-bc.ca
778-834-7934

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