The two-year agreement, jointly offered by Canada and BC, is the most significant land protection measure in B.C. Hill 60 is located between Duncan and Lake Cowichan.

"It says to my community and other communities, 'it can be done; there is a better way to protect land'," said Cowichan Chief Lydia Hwitsum in a published statement.

According to Cowichan creation myths, Hill 60 - or Hw'teshusun as the site is known to Cowichan - is the area where people first fell from the sky.

Cowichan Tribes comprises 3, 000 members and is the largest of the five tribes that make up Hul'qumi'num Treaty Group. The land protection agreement is expected to be integrated into a final treaty with Hul'qumi'num Treaty Group.