Working with Indigenous Governments and partners

The Province is working with Indigenous Governments to establish government-to-government cannabis agreements, and with Indigenous partners to advance other initiatives that foster reconciliation and uphold Indigenous self-determination.

On this page

• The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act)
• Government-to-government agreements (Section 119)
• Regulation-making authority for Treaty First Nations (Section 136)
• Programs and resources for Indigenous entrepreneurs

The Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act)

The Province is committed to reconciliation and building collaborative relationships with Indigenous Peoples. In November 2019, B.C. enshrined this commitment into law, by enacting the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act).

Learn more

Declaration Act Action Plan commitment 4.47

The Declaration Act Action Plan lists 89 tangible actions in the areas of:

• Self-determination and self-government
• Rights and title
• Ending anti-Indigenous racism, and
• Enhancing social, cultural and economic well-being

Action number 4.47 is a commitment under enhancing “social, cultural, and economic well-being” to:

“Advance a collaborative approach to cannabis-related governance and jurisdiction between First Nations and the Province that reflects common objectives to protect youth, prioritize public health and safety, strengthen First Nations governance capacity and secure economic benefits for First Nations.”

Government-to-government agreements (Section 119)

In B.C., section 119 of the Cannabis Control and Licensing Act (CCLA) gives the Province the ability to enter into government-to-government agreements with First Nations with respect to cannabis. 

Section 119 agreements set out terms that help advance First Nation priorities for cannabis through variations to provincial cannabis laws, while still supporting the overall intent of legalization.

The B.C. Cannabis Secretariat is responsible for advancing agreements with interested First Nation governments. 

Signed agreements

Currently, there are seven signed section 119 agreements (in alphabetical order).

Cowichan Tribes

• View the news release
• Read the agreement (PDF, 1.2MB)

Kispiox First Nation

• View the news release
• Read the agreement (PDF, 938KB)

Lhtako Dene Nation

• View the news release
• Read the agreement (PDF, 5.5MB)

Shxwhá:y Village

• View the news release
• Read the agreement (PDF, 3.3MB)

Snuneymuxw First Nation

• View the news release
• Read the agreement (PDF, 836KB)

Tsleil-Waututh Nation

• View the news release
• Read the agreement (PDF, 989KB)

Williams Lake First Nation

• View the news release
• Read the agreement (PDF, 1.2MB)

Regulation-making authority for Treaty First Nations (Section 136)

In B.C., section 136 of the CCLA gives the Lieutenant Governor in Council the authority to make regulations that authorize a Treaty First Nation to enact cannabis-related laws within its treaty lands, while also recognizing and respecting the enforcement of those laws.

No regulations have been enacted for this purpose to date.

Programs and resources for Indigenous entrepreneurs

There are many resources for Indigenous entrepreneurs in B.C.'s cannabis industry.

Explore programs