A sixth B.C. First Nation has joined the Coastal Reconciliation Protocol, which is, among other things, developing plans for a $25 million federally and provincially funded ferry terminal at a tiny island-port tucked in a fjord on the central coast.
The Nuxalk Nation, based in Bella Coola, joins five other First Nations from B.C.’s central and north coast in the protocol.
“Becoming part of the Coastal Reconciliation Protocol will provide the Nuxalk people with an additional venue to implement Nuxalk decisions within our territory,” said Nuxalk’s elected Chief Coun. Spencer Siwallace in a release.
The protocol’s ferry terminal project in Klemtu, which is home to the Kitasoo and Xai'xais people, is expected to create 150 construction jobs by the time it is completed in March 2011.
The protocol’s First Nation partners are receiving a total of $3.2 million over six years from the province for their participation.
Protocol members are also developing a clean energy plan for B.C.’s coastal region and are looking to create a “framework” for ongoing talks about use of the area’s land and natural resources.
Its also developing a model for estimating carbon offsets in coastal forests. Each coastal First Nations is receiving a portion of the carbon offsets within their traditional territories.
The other First Nations in the protocol are the Gitga’at First Nation, Heiltsuk Nation, Kitasoo Indian Band, Metlakatla First Nation and Wuikinuxv Nation.