Working with Indigenous partners

Last updated on November 2, 2021

The B.C. government is committed to true and lasting reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.

As part of the recognition and respect for human rights, we’re fostering increased and lasting certainty on the land base for Indigenous Peoples. By increasing these economic and land management opportunities we are making sure that the benefits of the forestry sector are shared by everyone.

The B.C. government’s actions are guided by the principles of the United Nations’ Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.


Partners in forestry

Increased economic opportunities support the well-being of Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous communities. Many forestry companies are already working collaboratively with Indigenous Nations to create improved investment certainty.

We’re taking the next step toward a brighter future where Indigenous Peoples are full partners in managing forests in B.C.


Land management

The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act provides mechanisms for shared decision-making and consent-based decision-making. We’ve been working with Indigenous Nations in support of the UN Declaration, including to:

We know there’s more work to be done. We will continue to work with Indigenous Nations in support of strategic and collaborative management of B.C. forests.


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Consultation with First Nations

Learn about consulting with First Nations, where required, on land and resource decisions that could impact Indigenous interests.

Consulting with First Nations

First Nations negotiations

First Nations engagement, through negotiation, is pivotal to the well-being of Indigenous interests, communities and businesses.

First Nations negotiations

Old growth deferral areas

Deferrals of harvesting in areas of old growth align with recommendation 6 of the independent panel report.

Old growth deferral areas