Lake Babine Nation signs deal with Ottawa and British Columbia

The British Columbia and federal governments have signed an agreement with the Lake Babine Nation that Chief Gordon Alec says will help lead to its prosperity.

Alec says the agreement is an important step toward having more control over the development of natural resources.

He says the First Nation wants to create the right relationship with the forest industry and local government.

The Lake Babine Nation owns one of the largest forestry businesses in its territory operating on land it owns as well as Crown land.

Alec says the agreement also outlines how the three levels of government will work together to enact the First Nation's rights and title over its territory in central B.C.

Carolyn Bennett, the federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations, says the 20-year agreement commits the three parties to the promotion of the First Nation's social and community well-being as well as its economic growth.