QUESNEL –  

Summary

• The community agreement between the Lhtako Dene Nation and the Province was signed on Oct. 8, 2025, and takes effect Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026
• Agreement helps Lhtako Dene children, youth stay connected to their culture, community
• Ensures the Nation is meaningfully involved in planning for their children and families through stronger consultation, co-operation

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Members of the Lhtako Dene Nation celebrated a milestone on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, as a community agreement with the B.C. Ministry of Children and Family Development takes effect.

“Today represents a pivotal moment for both the Lhtako Dene Nation and the Province,” said Jodie Wickens, Minister of Children and Family Development. “Centering child and family services in Lhtako Dene teachings, traditions and values will help their children and youth grow up strong and supported in their communities. This agreement reflects the strength of our collaboration and marks a significant milestone on our shared journey toward reconciliation.”

Keeping children connected to culture

The Lhtako Dene Nation and the Province signed the agreement on Oct. 8, 2025. It came into effect provincewide on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. The agreement helps guide interactions, planning and decision-making specific to child welfare decisions, and helps Lhtako Dene children and youth remain safely connected to their families, culture and community.

“We must preserve our stories and history for future generations,” said Terry Boucher, Lhtako Dene Elder and family support worker. “Our Elders are watching. Our children are our future leaders.”

This agreement outlines a commitment to making decisions and providing services in ways that keep children with their families and community with the goal of safe, healthy and connected Lhtako Dene children and families.  

Charting a path toward jurisdiction

The co-development of this bilateral agreement is guided by a number of objectives, including:

• Establishing guiding principles rooted in the Nation’s cultural values.
• Embedding Lhtako Dene knowledge, traditions and practices into child and family services.
• Promoting cultural continuity and meaningful Nation involvement in all aspects of service delivery.

“This agreement marks an important milestone in our journey together, one that prioritizes uplifting Indigenous-led approaches where kids and communities thrive,” said Spencer Chandra Herbert, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation. “The Lhtako Dene Nation is determining their own pathway towards jurisdiction over child and family services that will keep children and youth in community with culturally rooted teachings, traditions and support. Congratulations to all those involved for getting us where we are today.” 

The agreement outlines a path forward that honours past, present and future generations of the Lhtako Dene Nation, for whom raising healthy and thriving children is a fundamental right and core to their identity, responsibilities and law as Lhtako Dene people. It is an important step toward full jurisdiction over child and family services, and reflects the unique culture, traditional language, history, values and guiding principles of the Lhtako Dene Nation.

Quote:

Luna IIdzi, Lhtako Dene Elder and language instructor –

“Our children are sacred. Let’s let them walk alongside us so that they can grow to be a strong Nation.”

Quick Facts:

• In November 2022, the Indigenous Self-Government in Child and Family Services Amendment Act (Bill 38) was passed that removed obstacles on the path toward jurisdiction for First Nations communities in B.C.    
• B.C. is the first province in Canada to pass legislation recognizing that Indigenous Peoples have an inherent right of self-government, including providing child and family services under their own laws.
• As of September 2025, there were seven community agreements signed with the Ministry of Children and Family Development, supporting 12 First Nations communities.

Learn More:

• To find out more about the Lhtako Dene Nation, visit: https://www.bcafn.ca/first-nations-bc/cariboo/lhtako-dene-nation
• Learn more about Indigenous child and family development: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/indigenous-people/supporting-communities/child-family-development
• To learn about Pathways to Indigenous jurisdiction, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/indigenous-people/supporting-communities/child-family-development/pathways-to-indigenous-jurisdiction