Premier Eby touts progress on Treaty 8 Consensus Document

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B.C. Premier David Eby gave an update on the Consensus Document involving Treaty 8 First Nations at the B.C. Natural Resources Forum in Prince George from January 20th to January 22nd. (B.C. Natural Resources Forum, Facebook)

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. — B.C. Premier David Eby said further progress had been made on a 2023 agreement between northeast B.C. First Nations in a speech at this week’s B.C. Natural Resources Forum.

The 2023 Consensus Document, signed by the province and four Treaty 8 First Nations – Doig River First Nation (DRFN), Fort Nelson First Nation (FNFN), Halfway River First Nation (HRFN) and Saulteau First Nations (SFN) – outlined a plan for land and resource planning, according to a government press release.

This included a shared management of wildlife, land-use and protective measures, natural resource landscape planning and restoration initiatives, a fund to help heal the land, a revenue-sharing approach to support Treaty 8 Nation communities and education about Treaty 8 through collaborative promotion, anti-racism training and awareness building.

Speaking to attendees on Tuesday, January 20th, Eby told the crowd “progress” was made with Treaty 8 Nations on the agreement.

“We’ve made progress on the Treaty 8 restoration agreements with signings today, providing funding for First Nations-led land restoration while supporting predictable, responsible resource development in the northeast,” said Eby. “These agreements will deliver both environmental benefits and economic certainty for communities and investors.”

While the premier did not provide clarity on what benefits could be seen, he spoke of partnerships with Indigenous communities throughout B.C., stating such collaborations are “meaningful” when “we do this work together.”

“Across the spectrum, the message is clear: [when] we provide certainty, clear timelines, strong partnership with First Nations, investment follows,” said Eby. “That’s how we grow. That’s how we’re going to create good jobs, and that’s how we secure British Columbia’s future.”

Billed as western Canada’s largest multi-sector resource conference involving government, industry and First Nations, the 2026 BC Natural Resources Forum took place from January 20th to January 22nd in Prince George.