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PRINCE GEORGE – The Province, with the support of Lheidli T’enneh First Nation, has given 248 hectares of Crown land to the University of Northern British Columbia for research, teaching and use in Nordic sports, nearly doubling the size of the Prince George campus.
“The agreement that has been reached for the land next to the UNBC campus, within traditional Lheidli T’enneh territory, is unique in British Columbia,” Premier Gordon Campbell said today. “This is another example of embracing opportunities as we build a new relationship with First Nations across the province. When we work together, we can improve the quality of life for Aboriginal people – and for all British Columbians – so our communities can become stronger.”
The land is part of 618 hectares of Crown land that was originally earmarked for UNBC’s use, but was not officially part of the Prince George campus. In 2004, Lheidli T’enneh identified 370 hectares of this land as part of an area they wanted to include in their treaty settlement package. Through negotiations with Lheidli T’enneh, UNBC and the Province, boundaries were redrawn to accommodate Lheidli T’enneh interests. The remaining 248 hectares has now been transferred permanently to the university.
“The Lheidli T’enneh welcome the new agreement between the City of Prince George, the provincial government and UNBC,” said Lheidli T’enneh Chief Dominic Frederick. “This extension represents an acknowledgement of the land that we hold and demonstrates the willingness of UNBC and the municipality to work together with government to find an arrangement that works for all of us.”
UNBC uses the land as an outdoor
lab for teaching and research in areas vital to the North, such as ways to
combat the mountain pine beetle. The area contains a greenway corridor and
trail system, which will continue to be open to the public. The trail system
will also be used for athletic training in connection with the new Northern
Sport Centre.
“First, thank you to the Premier for
transferring this land and nearly doubling UNBC’s land on Cranbrook Hill,” said
UNBC president Don Cozzetto. “This area supports teaching and research, the
trails provide recreation and training opportunities, and it marks an important
development in our relationship with the Lheidli T’enneh.”
UNBC currently has about 3,600 students, almost 13 per cent of whom are
Aboriginal. This year, the university will receive more than $38 million in
operating funding from the Province. The transferred land is worth roughly $2.5
million.
“This transfer of Crown land will
allow UNBC to engage in long-term planning that will benefit students and
faculty,” said Advanced Education Minister Murray Coell. “These trails pass
through diverse ecosystems and are critical to the continuation and expansion
of teaching and research.”
The New
Relationship the Province is building with First Nations is aimed at ensuring
Aboriginal people share in the economic and social development of British
Columbia.
“We’ve been working closely with UNBC, the government and the Lheidli T’enneh on land use planning to ensure a result that benefits all of us,” said Prince George Mayor Colin Kinsley. “The land transfer to UNBC recognizes the importance of the Greenway Trail system to the City of Prince George and the benefits of a cooperative model for the relationship between the city and the Lheidli T’enneh.”
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contact: |
Press Secretary Office of the Premier 250 213-8218 |
Communications Director Ministry of Advanced Education 250 952-6508 250 213-1171 (cell) |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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