The virtual signing ceremony saw the hereditary chiefs and government ministers witness each other signing the document through Zoom, as travel has been restricted due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The memorandum of understanding that's due to be signed will set the terms for months of negotiations on land rights and title for the Wet'suwet'en over their traditional territory in northern B.C.

The chiefs also addressed concerns from the elected leadership that they and other members of the Wet'suwet'en have not been properly consulted with.

The elected leadership say the pact on land rights and title has not been fully circulated to the Nation's clans for their input, and accuse the federal and B.C. governments of consulting in bad faith.

Even as the infection rate appears to be slowing down in most of the country, chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam warned Thursday about the growing risk to Indigenous communities.

The agreement does not apply to the controversial Coastal GasLink pipeline project, which sparked the discussions that led to the deal.

In the last month, Indigenous people across the country set up barricades on train tracks, roads and bridges, in solidarity with Wet'suwet'en Nation hereditary chiefs, some of whom object to the construction of a natural-gas pipeline through their traditional territory.

"They need to engage our people and collaborate with us regardless of the Indian Act," said Wet'suwet'en First Nation Elected Chief Maureen Luggi.

The proposed deal, which has yet to be formally agreed upon by the hereditary chiefs, is said to address broader land claims, rights and titles.

Work is expected to resume today on a natural gas pipeline in British Columbia that has been at the centre of protests that have disrupted both rail and road traffic in many parts of the country.