FNLC Congratulates Tahltan Central Government, Tahltan Nation, and the Province on Eskay Mine Decision, Emphasizes Importance of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act

January 29. 2026

(xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh)/Vancouver, B.C.) The First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) congratulates the Tahltan Central Government (TCG), the Tahltan Nation, and the Province on making regulatory decisions on the reopening of the Eskay Creek gold-silver mine through the first-ever consent-based agreement under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act).

This historic first demonstrates what can be accomplished when First Nation and Crown governments come together on a government-to-government basis to make decisions, and the important role the Declaration Act can play in facilitating growth and prosperity for the benefit of all who call B.C. home. The recognition of Tahltan’s jurisdiction and decision-making authority in Tahltan Territory, and obtaining the TCG’s consent, achieves the kind of certainty needed to attract investment and support sustainable development in this province, and ensures the local Nation participates in the associated benefits. The Declaration Act is not a problem to be fixed; it is an opportunity to be embraced. In the words of TCG President Kerry Carlick, it is not a “good idea to take anything away from [the Declaration Act].”

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