Williams Lake First Nation (WLFN) Chief and Council today announced that preliminary work will begin on a focused land-use planning exercise in the area west of the Fraser River commonly known as “Farwell Canyon.” This planning exercise will be multi-dimensional and incorporate knowledge and data from a broad variety of sources, including archaeological research and surveys, environmental data, wildlife-related studies, and engagement with other First Nations, governments, and industry.
WLFN Kukpi7 (Chief) Willie Sellars stated:
"I’m very excited to begin this exercise. The area known by the settler name of ‘Farwell Canyon’ is a critical part of Northern Secwépemc Territory. We have a rich and well-established historical connection to these lands, and our uses continue through to the present day. Unfortunately, there is not sufficient awareness of Secwépemc rights and values in the area of Farwell Canyon, and our management priorities have not always been recognized by government and industry. The Cariboo-Chilcotin Regional Land Use Plan was established in 1994 (well before many significant aboriginal title and rights developments), and by the province’s own acknowledgment, the CCLUP is a very dated and insufficient planning tool. We feel there is a pressing need to fill some of the gaps in the current management tools, and to clearly assert ourselves as a critical decision maker with respect to the use and development of these Farwell Canyon lands."
In 2018, WLFN and three other Northern Secwépemc (NStQ) communities entered into a government-to-government agreement known as the Yecweminul’ecw Land and Resource Use Agreement, which acknowledges land and resource use in Northern Secwépemc traditional territory. The agreement was written to reflect the Province’s pledge to true and lasting reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, and to serve as a means through which the Province could advance its commitment to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP).
“This Farwell Canyon Land Use Planning exercise is one very logical extension of our government-to-government agreement with the Province and we’re excited about creating a product that will provide meaningful guidance to government, industry, and other land users,” added Kukpi7 Sellars. “Being clear and transparent about priorities and values increases opportunities for collaboration and cooperation, minimizes the potential for conflict, and celebrates the history of Indigenous people in this region.”
Work on this WLFN Farwell Canyon planning exercise will commence in late June. Further information about community and industry engagement will be released in coming months
Map of proposed area of the WLFN land use planning exercise:
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