An agreement between the economic development arms of two governments in the Powell River region signals a growing relationship that has the potential to create opportunities throughout the region.
Sliammon Development Corporation (SDC) has entered into a fee-for-service contract with Powell River Regional Economic Development Society (PRREDS) to assist in business development efforts. As well, each organization has two voting seats on the other’s board of directors, creating a solid partnership between the economic development agencies in the area.
Tla’Amin (Sliammon) First Nation band members will vote on a final treaty agreement in June. If it is ratified, the treaty will trigger self-government and financial and land transfers. The land component consists of about 8,322 hectares of treaty lands that include surface and sub-surface resources. The total includes 1,917 hectares of former Indian Reserves and 6,405 hectares of provincial Crown lands.
Land and cash transfers to first nations are significant local economic drivers. Treaties will bring certainty to land ownership and jurisdiction, a major cash injection and new investment.
The lack of treaties has been slowing growth in the province due to uncertainty. However, there has been a realization that there are economic opportunities and the time to take advantage of those opportunities is now.
Tla’Amin, through SDC, has been laying the foundation for growth. It has a new economic development strategy, adopted by chief and council last year, a new website and a community profile that provides information for potential business partners and investors.
Tla’Amin has shown it is open to partnerships. Tla’Amin Timber Products, which manages the forestry tenures for the band, has a 50 per cent partnership with Goat Lake Forest Products. SDC’s economic development strategy includes a plan to pursue partnerships in the aquaculture and gravel sectors.
First nations will be the stewards of huge assets post-treaty. Economic development, especially in rural parts of the province, can’t operate on its own. It has to be done in partnership with first nations. There are significant opportunities for businesses that can build relationships with first nations. But before these relationships can evolve, the business community and first nation communities need to understand one another.
Relationships, like the one between SDC and PRREDS, help build more partnerships and foster understanding. The relationship between the City of Powell River and Tla’Amin has laid a strong foundation, one that will create opportunities through working together.
