Maa-nulth Final Agreement: Parks

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Accessibility Notice

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The Maa-nulth Final Agreement was negotiated by the Government of Canada, the Government of British Columbia and the Maa-nulth First Nations. The five Maa-nulth First Nations are Ucluelet First Nation, Huu-ay-aht First Nations, Toquaht Nation, Ka:'yu:'k't'h'/Che:k'tles7et'h' First Nations, and Uchucklesaht Tribe, all located on the west coast of Vancouver Island. The Maa-nulth First Nations represent about 2,000 people. Maa-nulth means “villages along the coast” in the Nuu-chah-nulth language.

The Maa-nulth Final Agreement is among the first Final Agreements reached in the province under the British Columbia treaty process. The Final Agreement sets out each Maa-nulth First Nation's rights and benefits respecting land and resources, and self-government over its lands and resources and its citizens. The Final Agreement provides certainty for all parties with respect to ownership and management of lands and resources and the exercise of federal, provincial and Maa-nulth First Nation governmental powers and authorities.

The negotiation of a Final Agreement marks Stage Five of the six-stage British Columbia treaty process, and is the conclusion of substantive treaty negotiations. Once ratified by all parties, the Final Agreement will become a treaty through legislation. It will be a constitutionally-protected legal agreement which creates mutually binding obligations and commitments.

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

Under the Final Agreement, Canada may establish as part of Pacific Rim National Park those portions of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve lying within the Maa-nulth First Nation Areas. The federal Minister will retain authority for the overall management and administration of parks. However, a separate agreement between Canada and the Maa-nulth First Nations defines how the parties will work together to cooperatively plan and manage Pacific Rim National Park.

Canada will consult with the affected Maa-nulth First Nations prior to the establishment of any new national park or national marine conservation area within the applicable Maa-nulth First Nation Areas.

Thunderbird's Nest

Thunderbird's Nest (T'iitsk'in Paawats) is located on the west side of Henderson Lake on Vancouver Island, covering an area of approximately 2,185 hectares. The area is of cultural and spiritual significance to the Maa-nulth First Nations. Under the Final Agreement, British Columbia has agreed to remove Thunderbird's Nest from the working forest and protect it as a provincial protected area.

Power River Watershed

Under the Final Agreement, British Columbia has also agreed to establish Power River Watershed as a provincial protected area.

Provincial park planning processes

A Maa-nulth First Nation may participate in any provincial park or protected area public management process established in respect of a park or protected area that is wholly or partly within its Maa-nulth First Nation Area.

If you would like more information about the Maa-nulth Final Agreement, contact:

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