09/04/2026
ISKUT BAND HONOURED FOR HISTORIC LAND CODE ACHIEVEMENT
Winnipeg, Manitoba – September 4, 2026 – Iskut was recognized yesterday by the Lands Advisory Board (LAB) for an important milestone in the Nation's land governance journey, receiving a commemorative LAB eagle in honour of the community's approval of the Iskut On-Reserve Land Code.
Iskut members voted to approve their Land Code on May 14,2026, making Iskut the 130th Framework Agreement signatory First Nation to ratify a Land Code. The Land Code came into effect on June 1, 2026, placing decision-making authority over Iskut's reserve lands and resources in the hands of the Iskut Nation.
The eagle was presented during the 2026 Lands Advisory Board Annual General Meeting, held September 2 and 3 at the RBC Convention Centre in Winnipeg. The annual gathering brings together Operational and Developmental First Nations from across Canada to provide direction on priorities affecting First Nation land governance and the implementation of the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management.
"This Land Code is about Iskut taking greater responsibility for our lands and making decisions that reflect the priorities of our people. This recognition belongs to our members, whose participation made this important step forward possible." Chief Marie Quock
Under their On-Reserve Land Code, Iskut has greater authority to make decisions about the management, use and protection of their reserve lands, replacing the 44 federal land management sections of the Indian Act, providing the Nation with their own framework for governing their lands and resources.
The approval of the Land Code represents another step in Iskut's ongoing work to strengthen their governance and exercise greater authority and responsibility for its lands.
Receiving the LAB eagle recognizes both the achievement of the community and the leadership and participation of Iskut members who helped bring the Land Code into effect.
