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By Sam Bennison

Indigenous

Lake Babine moves to self governance with a new funding agreement with federal government

Feb 22, 2024 | 3:28 PM

PRINCE GEORGE—On Wednesday the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations signed a funding agreement with Lake Babine First Nation totalling $50 million.

The funding will support Lake Babine’s move to self governance through building a public sector and governance capacity, as well as provide support for the Nation’s community infrastructure priorities.

“The Foundation Agreement is Lake Babine’s roadmap to independence from the devastating impacts of colonialism. For many years, Lake Babine has been building relationships with the provincial and federal governments to develop partnerships that will strengthen the future of our communities and the next generation,” says Chief Murphy Abraham of Lake Babine Nation.

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Chief Abraham states the funding will strengthen the remote communities of Wit’at and Tachet, and build a community centre for cultural events.

“There is a lot of hard work ahead, but Lake Babine welcomes undertaking the reconciliation journey with Canada, guided by the visions and milestones of the Foundation Agreement,” continues Chief Abraham Lake Babine Nation

The Funding Agreement lays out a 20-year plan for collaboratively implementing Lake Babine Nation’s constitutional rights through capacity building, shared initiatives, and further negotiations.

“The federal government is in a process of undoing the legacy of colonial policies and moving towards true nation-to-nation relationships based on good faith. Supporting Lake Babine Nation’s priorities for governance and community is a foundational step to renewing and strengthening our partnership as we move forward. In their community today, I heard firsthand the impacts this funding will have on people,” says Gary Anandasangaree, minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations.

The agreement also contains commitments from British Columbia to transfer 20,000 hectares of provincial Crown land,forestry tenures, and approximately $43 million in funding contributions.

Lake Babine will begin by hiring specialized employees to build land capacity, balance the budget, identify program that need improvements, create a restorative justice strategy for the Nation and oversee the Nation’s strategic initiatives.

The relationship between the Nation and Canada aligns with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

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Email: sam.bennison@pattisonmedia.com