Lake Babine Nation (LBN) held its nineteenth annual general assembly at the Margaret Patrick Memorial Centre last week. Speakers included Chief Clarence Louie, who’s known from taking the Osoyoos Indian Band from poverty to prosperity, and Grand Chief Edward John, who has dedicated his life to the pursuit of social and economic justice for Canada’s Aboriginal Peoples. LBN Chief Wilf Adam highlighted the nation’s Foundation Pathway Agreement with the provincial government. The 25-year agreement, which is expected to be finalized in the spring of 2018, would increase LBN’s participation in forestry. “We want at least 250,000 cubic metres per year and it will go higher each year for the length of the agreement,” said Chief Adam. “Also on the table are early benefits like community developments and centres.”