Agreement signed

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The Government of Alberta and the Horse Lake First Nation, near Grande Prairie , have entered into a cooperative management agreement that will provide a framework for addressing mutual interests regarding environmental and renewable resources issues.

The agreement establishes a formal mechanism for ongoing consultation and cooperation on renewable resources or environmental matters.

Existing Treaty and Aboriginal rights are recognized and respected, while the province retains legislative and regulatory jurisdiction over the natural resources and environmental management.

"The Memorandum of Understanding with the Horse Lake First Nation builds on our efforts to work in partnership with all groups to protect our environment and sustainbly use our natural resources," said minister of environmental protection Ty Lund. "Through its implementation, the Horse Lake First Nation have demonstrated their commitment to the principles of ecosystem management and sustainable development."

The memorandum was signed on June 23 by Lund, Dave Hancock, the minister of federal and intergovernmental affairs, and Horse Lake First Nation chief Robert Horseman.

According to the province, advantages of such a signing include, providing a better working relationship with First Nation communities to achieve resource or environmental management objectives, making long term stability possible for development activity in the future, and assisting First Nations or Aboriginal communities in working toward long-term, meaningful employment.

"This agreement will provide an avenue for long term, meaningful employment for the First Nations by encouraging a closer relationship with local industries in this area," said Grande Prairie/Wapiti MLA Wayne Jacques.

Over the next several months, Environmental Protection and the Horse Lake community will develop a plan to identify a game plan in tackling important resource management issues.

Hancock said it is now a more equal playing field.

"The province recognizes the special rights of the First Nation and has an obligation to consult with them," said Hancock.