B.C. won't appeal landmark First Nation court victory

The B.C. government says itwill not be appealing a landmark court case that found uncheckedindustrial development in northeastern B.C. violates the treaty rights of the Blueberry River First Nation.

Thejudgmentissued June29 by B.C. Supreme Court justice Emily Burkesided with the First Nation which had argued that the constant approval of new energy projects in the region infringed on treaty rights meant to protect its way of life.

Burkecharacterized it as "death by a thousand cuts."

At a media event in July, Blueberry River Chief Marvin Yaheywas joined by other Treaty 8 First Nations leaders in Vancouver, where they urged the province not to appeal the case as a show of its commitment to reconciliation and theUnited Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People.

Instead, Yahey said First Nations in northeastern B.C. should be partners in the economic development of the region.

"If thisis done right, there's plenty of work for everyone," Yahey said.

In a statement released Wednesday, Attorney General David Ebysaid the province would be following that advice.

"The court's decision was clear that the Province must improve its assessment and management of the cumulative impact of industrial development on Blueberry River First Nations' Treaty rights, and to ensure these constitutional rights are protected," he said in the statement.

"The Province recognizes that negotiation, rather than litigation, is the primary forum for achieving reconciliation and the renewal of the Crown-Indigenous relationship."

Eby said the province has reached out to Blueberry River in order to start negotiations on how to move forward.

WATCH | Blueberry River First Nation lays out itsplan for economic development after landmark court victory