Tahltan Land to be Protected in Partnership with Conservation Organizations, Skeena and the Province
JOINT NEWS RELEASE
NR: 21-13 | April 8, 2021
Tahltan Land to be Protected in Partnership with Conservation
Organizations, Skeena and the Province
Vancouver, BC (April 8, 2021) Skeena Resources Limited (TSX: SKE, OTCQX: SKREF) (“Skeena”
or the “Company”) A new conservancy to protect the environment and wildlife on Tahltan territory has
been created in an area of northwestern B.C. historically known as the Ice Mountain Lands, adjacent
to Mount Edziza Provincial Park.
The Tahltan Central Government, the Province, Skeena Resources Limited, the Nature Conservancy
of Canada, and BC Parks Foundation have worked in partnership to create the conservancy.
"Mount Edziza and the surrounding area has always been sacred to the Tahltan Nation. The obsidian
from this portion of our territory provided us with weaponry, tools and trading goods that ensured our
Tahltan people could thrive for thousands of years,” said Chad Norman Day, President of Tahltan
Central Government. “Working alongside Skeena Resources, the Province, BC Parks Foundation, and
the Nature Conservancy of Canada to provide further protection to this area is an initiative we can all
take pride in. I am so relieved and thrilled that Mount Edziza is better protected f or our future
generations."
The conservancy is the first step in the multi-year Tahltan Stewardship Initiative (TSI). The goal of the
TSI is to bring greater self -determination to the Tahltan Nation and support stewardship on Tahltan
Territory. Tahltan Ce ntral Government plans to rename the area within the conservancy at a future
date, to better reflect Tahltan heritage.
“Protecting these lands will preserve the natural environment, help maintain biological diversity, and
respect the history and importance of this area for the Tahltan Nation,” said George Heyman, Minister
of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. “Collaboration and shared understanding about
stewardship of the lands and waters that sustain us is an important lesson delivered through tru e
reconciliation.”
Skeena Resources Limited is returning its mineral tenures for its Spectrum mineral claim, which
supports the partnership with the Tahltan to establish the new 3,500 hectare conservancy adjoining
the 230,000 hectare Mount Edziza Provincial Park.
“We are very pleased to work with our Tahltan partners to be a part of this historically significant event.
Through many open and respectful conversations with Tahltan leaders over the years, we have
developed a sincere appreciation of the cultural importance of this area to Tahltan,” said Walter Coles,
President and CEO of Skeena Resources. “We are deeply committed to our partnership with the
Tahltan Nation and are happy that we can play a role in protecting this area for future generations.
This is reconciliation in action and symbolic of our partnership commitment to Tahltan.”
Bruce Ralston, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation said, “This conservancy was
created thanks to the unique partnership between the BC Parks Foundation, Nature Conservancy of
Canada, Skeena Resources, the Tahltan Central Government and the Province. The genuine
participation between all parties to protect these lands for future generations is a real achievement.
This partnership fosters long-term relationships between Indigenous Nations and mineral companies.”
The parties have worked toget her to establish the conservancy with support from the BC Parks
Foundation and the Nature Conservancy of Canada as well as the Province.
This initiative was also supported by the Government of Canada through the Natural Heritage
Conservation Program, part of Canada’s Nature Fund; the Wyss Foundation; MakeWay; the
Wilburforce Foundation; MapleCross Fund; Sitka Foundation; and the Leon Judah Blackmore
Foundation.
“It’s encouraging to see governments, Indigenous peoples, industry, philanthropic foundations and
conservation groups working together to protect our iconic natural environment in British Columbia
and across the country. By collaborating on projects like these, we are making progress toward
conserving a quarter of lands in Canada by 2025,” said the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister
of Environment and Climate Change.
“Permanently protecting the cultural and ecological values of these lands is a remarkable
achievement. We congratulate the Tahltan Central Government on their leadership and visio n in
making this outcome a reality,” said Nancy Newhouse, BC Region Vice President, Nature
Conservancy of Canada. “The unique volcanic landforms, the habitat connectivity for wildlife, and the
long history of human relationship to this land all make it an area well worth conserving. This was truly
a collaborative project, where partners representing a wide range of interests worked together in the
spirit of co-operation.”
The Province and Tahltan Central Government have been working together to advance the ir shared
interests in building an enduring, resilient government -to-government relationship in respect of land
and resource use, and community, social and economic development within the Tahltan Territory.
While more work remains to be done to advance their shared interests, this agreement is an important
step.
“This is a triple win,” said Andy Day, CEO of the BC Parks Foundation. “Together, we’re protecting a
huge area for wildlife and nature, we’re advancing reconciliation, and we’re supporting sustai nable
recreation and use. Big up to the Tahltan, B.C., NCC, and Skeena for getting in the same canoe and
paddling in the same direction - it’s a great direction for B.C.”
Quick Facts:
• There are 157 conservancies in B.C., ranging in size from 11 to 322,020 hectares.
• The last conservancy established was Tsaa Nuna Conservancy in 2021.
• Conservancies allow a wider range of low -impact, compatible economic opportunities
than Class A parks. H owever, commercial logging, mining and hydroelectric power
generation, other than local run-of-the-river projects, are prohibited.
• Parks and protected areas are dedicated to preserving the natural environment and
providing outstanding outdoor recreation op portunities. Places of special ecological
importance are designated as ecological reserves for scientific research and educational
purposes.
Learn more:
Map of the conservancy: https://bcparks.ca/conservancies/mount-edziza/
Information about the B.C. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act can be found here:
www.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/indigenous-people/new-relationship/united-nations-
declaration-on-the-rights-of-indigenous-peoples
For a backgrounder with more information, click here.
About Skeena
Skeena Resources Limited is a Canadian mining exploration company focused on revitalizing the
past-producing Eskay Creek gold -silver mine located in Tahltan Territory in the Golden Triangle of
northwest British Columbia, Canada. The Company released a robu st Preliminary Economic
Assessment in late 2019 and is currently focused on infill and exploration drilling to advance Eskay
Creek to full Feasibility by the end of 2021 . Additionally, Skeena continues exploration programs at
the past-producing Snip gold mine.
Contact Information:
Inquiries: [email protected]
Phone: +1 604 684 8725
Company Website: www.skeenaresources.com
Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements
Certain statements made and information contained herein may constitute “forward looking information” and “forward
looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. These statements
and information are based on facts currently available to the Company and there is no assurance that actual results will
meet management’s expectations. Forward -looking statements and information may be identified by such terms as
“anticipates”, “believes”, “targets”, “estimates”, “plans”, “expects”, “may”, “will”, “could” or “would”. Forward -looking
statements and information contained herein are based on certain factors and assumptions regarding, among other things,
the estimation of mineral resources and reserves, the realization of resource and reserve estimates, metal prices, taxation,
the estimation, timing and amount of future exploration and development, capital and operating costs, the availability of
financing, the receipt of regul atory approvals, environmental risks, title disputes and other matters. While the Company
considers its assumptions to be reasonable as of the date hereof, forward -looking statements and information are not
guarantees of future performance and readers should not place undue importance on such statements as actual events
and results may differ materially from those described herein. The Company does not undertake to update any forward -
looking statements or information except as may be required by applicable securities laws.
Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility
for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.