Vancouver, BC — Tides Canada is pleased to announce the creation of a new endowment fund, with a target capitalization of $5 million, to support the implementation of the historic land use agreement signed today by the Taku River Tlingit First Nation (TRTFN) and the Province of British Columbia.  

The comprehensive land use agreement for the 30,000 square kilometer TRTFN traditional territory is a combination of land use zoning, world-class management and shared decision making at a scale never achieved before in British Columbia. Its development spans nearly a decade and covers 4.5 million acres in BC of the ecologically intact and culturally critical Taku River watershed.  

“This is an historic agreement between the Taku River Tlingit First Nation and the BC Government and both parties are to be congratulated,” said Ross McMillan, President and CEO of Tides Canada. “The Tlatsini Endowment Fund at Tides Canada is being launched to help ensure that the implementation of the land use plan and newly created government-to-government shared decision-making arrangements are fully resourced to create the best social, environmental and economic outcomes for the region.” 

The Taku is among North America’s largest wild salmon-producing rivers and it boasts extraordinary biodiversity, making it a premier continental conservation opportunity. The TRTFN has profound cultural connections to the Taku and before this agreement almost none of the watershed was protected. Now about 26% of the watershed has been fully protected while providing opportunities for high-bar salmon protection and economic development ventures.  

The Tlatsini Endowment Fund will provide resources for the implementation of the plan.  The fund is being established with initial funding from four partner foundations (The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Wilburforce Foundation, Swift Foundation and Campion Foundation).   An advisory committee led by a representative of the T’akhu  Tlèn Conservancy will advise Tides Canada on how best to deploy the funds to support the TRTFN in delivering the promise of the Atlin-Taku land use plan and build their capacity to steward the region.  

About Tides CanadaTides Canada is the country’s largest public foundation dedicated to the environment and social justice. Every year, we support, convene or directly fund hundreds of initiatives, from neighbourhood-scale social programs to national conservation efforts. In addition, having pioneered a shared governance and administrative platform to support initiatives and collaborations that advance our mission, our operating charity is home to 40 of Canada’s leading social change projects. Visit www.tidescanada.org 

Related Link: 

http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/first+nations+reaches+historic+land+pact/5127227/story.html