B.C. government must protect Indigenous cultural sites

The Forest Practices Board of British Columbia says the provincial government did not comply with legal requirements when it approved grazing plans near the Halfway River First Nation's watershed. The First Nation had raised concerns about livestock damaging important cultural sites and harming wildlife in their territory. In 2023, the Halfway River First Nation filed a complaint, stating that the presence of cattle was impacting their drinking water safety. The board's report indicates that the government's investigation into this issue was inadequate and recommended a review of how the inquiry was handled. Keith Atkinson, chair of the Forest Practices Board, noted that while the government has agreements with ranchers in the area, it was unable to enforce protection of Indigenous cultural sites. Investigators reviewed documents from 2013 to 2023 and determined that the government did not follow legal procedures in approving the grazing plans. Following the investigation, the Forest Ministry and the Halfway River First Nation reached an agreement to ensure that ranchers are informed of their responsibility to protect the area's cultural and ecological resources. The Halfway River First Nation is one of 39 First Nations in the Treaty 8 region, which allows members to hunt, fish, and engage in cultural practices across the entire area.