The Chief of the Lower Nicola Indian Band says the First Nation is working towards an agreement with Trans Mountain.

The Trans Mountain pipeline goes through the LNIB, and Aaron Sumexheltza says there were specific concerns the band had with the project.

“Relating to the environment, cultural heritage for example, procurement and contracting. But it is what it is, and we plan to move forward and hopefully we’ll be able to take advantage of all the opportunities,” Sumexheltza says.

“We have a conditional agreement with the company, we have been in dialogue with the company for a long time. While we don’t have a final agreement today, I anticipate over the coming weeks that we will probably be finalizing an agreement with Trans Mountain.

“We have many community members that are interested in taking advantage of employment and contracting opportunities. So it’s our intention to fully take advantage of all the opportunities, so we can create wealth and employment for our community members.”

Also in the Nicola Valley, the Coldwater Indian Band also doesn’t have a finalized agreement in place with Trans Mountain as the band has concerns about risks to its aquifer.