British Columbia (BC) and Blueberry River First Nations struck a historic agreement this week to  partner on resource stewardship that among other things could limit new oil and natural gas development, as well as revamp future energy activities.

The agreement would ensure “Blueberry River members can meaningfully exercise their Treaty 8 rights, and provide stability and predictability for industry in the region,” officials said. The partnership follows a decision in 2021 by the BC Supreme Court. The court approved compensation payments for Blueberry River to save 195 Montney Shale gas and forestry projects affected by an Indigenous rights court. 

“This agreement provides a clear pathway to get the hard work started on healing and restoring the land, and start on the joint...