The Sechelt First Nation will have a greater say on matters within its jurisdiction under what Premier John Horgan is calling the first major reconciliation agreement between his NDP government and a band in British Columbia.

Horgan says the band has more decision making authority over key components including land transfers and establishment of a land-use planning process.

“It means that self determination which is something the Shíshålh have now been doing for now decades and self government something they have been doing decades is not just an acknowledgement at a moment it is an acknowledgement throughout time.”

Horgan says this is also a commitment to work together to protect the environment, as well as promote economic opportunity and growth for the aboriginals.

(Photo credit: shíshálh Nation)