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Agreement provides new opportunities for St’át’imc

Bev Van Ruyven, Deputy CEO & Executive Vice President for BC Hydro, annoucing the agreement with the St’át’imc.
Bev Van Ruyven, Deputy CEO & Executive Vice President for BC Hydro, was in Lillooet Tuesday for the announcement of the agreement with the St’át’imc.

11 St’át’imc Communities have been impacted by BC Hydro’s facilities

LILLOOET – BC Hydro and the Province of British Columbia joined with the St’át’imc in Lillooet on Tuesday to celebrate the signing of a Settlement Agreement that provides mitigation, financial benefits and an ongoing long term relationship to address their grievances related to the construction and operation of existing BC Hydro facilities.

“Today is a great day for all St’át’imc People, their Chiefs, for the Province of British Columbia and BC Hydro. The Chiefs and the St’át’imc People achieved the ancestral vision of 1911 by way of a “Small Measure of Justice” in 2011. The real work to implement these agreements now begins with the leadership and people working closely together for a better future,” said Kūkwpi7 Mike Leach, St’át’imc Chief Negotiator yesterday at the signing.

In all 11 St’át’imc Communities a majority of St’át’imc voted to ratify the final agreement in April. Yesterday’s gathering allowed BC Hydro and the Province to mark the occasion with a cultural ceremony, exchange of gifts and a community meal.   

“After many years of hard work from everyone involved, this agreement sets the stage for jobs and education opportunities that will benefit St’át’imc communities and families,” said Mary Polak, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation. “We can all take pride in reaching an agreement that brings with it the hope for a brighter future.”

BC Hydro and the St’át’imc have been negotiating an agreement since 1993. In addition to financial benefits, the agreement provides for:

  • Long term environmental mitigation plans to help restore land, water, fish, wildlife and vegetation;
  • A heritage and culture plan to preserve, protect, and promote St’át’imc culture;
  • A relations agreement to assist in developing a long-term sustainable relationship between the St’át’imc and BC Hydro; and
  • An education and training component to build capacity within the Communities.

The agreement also provides BC Hydro and the Province of B.C. with operational certainty for BC Hydro’s existing facilities into the future. 

“I applaud the St’át’imc communities for supporting their leadership on this agreement, and for providing BC Hydro with legal certainty for this significant generation and transmission infrastructure,” said Rich Coleman, Minister of Energy and Mines. “This agreement lays the foundation for a prosperous future based on mutual understanding, respect and trust.”

“It’s been nearly 18 years since negotiators from St’át’imc, BC Hydro and later, the Province of B.C. set out on the long path towards resolving issues related to BC Hydro’s generation, transmission and distribution assets located in St’át’imc traditional territory,” said BC Hydro President and CEO Dave Cobb. “While many players have changed since that time, one thing has remained constant: the dedication, commitment and hard work shown by everyone involved to get the best agreement possible for all parties, no matter how long it took.”

There are 11 St’át’imc Communities who have been impacted by BC Hydro’s facilities. These assets include: three dams, two reservoirs, four generating stations, 15 transmission circuits totalling approximately 850 kilometres of transmission lines, 160 kilometres of access roads and four recreation facilities.

About BC Hydro

Fifty years ago, British Columbians turned to BC Hydro to build the clean electricity system they count on to power B.C.'s economy, create jobs in every region, and keep the lights on. Now, BC Hydro is building again for the next 50 years. B.C. continues to grow and so does the need for more electricity.

That’s why BC Hydro is building, renewing, and encouraging conservation to meet today’s needs and those of future generations. In 2011, BC Hydro is celebrating 50 years of providing power for British Columbians, and inviting them to help prepare for the next 50 years.

For more information, please contact:

Kūkwpi7 Mike Leach
St’át’imc Chiefs Council
778 209 0417 (c) 250 256 0425 ext. 237

Rodney Louie
St’at’imc Nation Hydro
778 209 0571 (c) 250 256 0425, ext. 237
Web: www.statimchydro.ca

BC Hydro Media Relations
Direct: 604 928 6468

Karen Williams
Senior Public Affairs Officer
Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
250 387 1460