By Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter FORT ST. JOHN, B.C — The provincial government and Halfway River First Nation (HRFN) have announced a partnership to balance the Treaty 8 First Nation’s land and industrial interests. According to a press release on July 22nd, HRFN and the province will move forward on a landscape planning pilot to protect Treaty 8’s rights and support restoration and sustainable development in northeastern B.C. The province also announced an agreement with HRFN to award the nation a petroleum and gas tenure. HRFN Chief Darlene Hunter says the agreement will ensure that oil and gas development is sustainable and managed with the values of her Nation in mind. “We look forward to our continued collaboration with industry and government on development activities within Halfway River…