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 Treaties are good for BC

Treaties will pump billions of dollars into the BC economy.
The financial benefits to First Nations could be as high as $10 billion*.
Those capital and investment dollars will make the biggest impact where the money is needed most – in the hands of First Nations and their neighbours throughout the province.
When a First Nation prospers with a modern-day treaty the whole region prospers.
*according to the PricewaterhouseCoopers analysis commissioned by the Treaty Commission

 Treaties

Tsawwassen First Nation Final Agreement
Tsawwassen First Nation Final Agreement

is effective April 3, 2009 following ratification by the First Nation and the governments of British Columbia and Canada.
Maa-nulth First Nations Final Agreement
Maa-nulth First Nations Final Agreement

is effective April 1, 2011 following ratification by the five First Nations and the governments of Canada and British Columbia.
Lheidli T'enneh First Nation Final Agreement
Lheidli T’enneh First Nation Final Agreement

was concluded but not ratified in a vote by the First Nation members in March 2007. A second vote is to be held.
Yale First Nation Final Agreement
Yale First Nation Final Agreement

was concluded in February 2010, ratified by Yale members on March 12, 2011 and ratified by the BC legislature on June 2, 2011. It now must be ratified by the Government Canada.
Yale First Nation Final Agreement
Tla'amin Final Agreement

was initialled on October 21, 2011 but is yet to be ratified. The Tla'amin vote will take place in June 2012.

 Agreements in Principle

 Information

June 13, 2013

BC Treaty Commission anticipates new dynamic in negotiations

VANCOUVER - With the recent appointment of Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, John Rustad, last week's election of the First Nations Summit Task group and the February appointment of Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada Bernard Valcourt, the Treaty Commission today congratulates these leaders and looks forward to seeing a new dynamic in treaty negotiations.
May 30, 2013

Closing the Gap

While "beating the drum of Constitutional change" became the mantra for participants of the November Ottawa Beyond Section 35 symposium, participants of the February BC forum embraced the idea introduced by Neil Sterritt to do everything we can to "close the gap" between the promise of Section 35 and the reality of the present state of affairs.
April 15, 2013

Chief Commissioner Sophie Pierre reappointed

VANCOUVER – Sophie Pierre was reappointed as Chief Commissioner of the BC Treaty Commission on Friday, April 12, 2013. Pierre was reappointed upon agreement from the three Principals of the Treaty process: the governments of Canada, British Columbia and the First Nations Summit.
March 8, 2013

BC Treaty Commissioners Phillips and Haldane to serve further two-year terms

VANCOUVER – BC Treaty Commissioners Robert Phillips and Celeste Haldane have reclaimed their positions by acclamation following the First Nations Summit meeting on Wednesday. Both Commissioners will serve additional two-year terms with the Commission.
February 18, 2013

Over 120 leaders to convene at Section 35
symposium tomorrow

VANCOUVER – The Beyond Section 35 Symposium will tomorrow bring together over 120 Indigenous and non-Indigenous leaders, academics and top legal minds in Vancouver BC. Participants will engage in a two-day dialogue about the substantial impact that Section 35 recognition of Aboriginal rights has had on altering both federal/provincial law and policy regarding Indigenous Peoples and governance in Canada.
February 18, 2013

Gitxsan and Tsimshian work together

VANCOUVER – The BC Treaty Commission recognizes and supports the ongoing engagement between the Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs and two of the Tsimshian First Nations, Kitselas and Kitsumkalum, in their efforts to resolve their overlapping territorial issues. Kitselas and Kitsumkalum are both advancing towards ...
January 28, 2013

Beyond Section 35 symposium to bring together
leaders in governance

VANCOUVER – The BC Treaty Commission and the New Relationship Trust, working with the Institute on Governance, will host a two-day symposium on February 19 and 20 at the Wosk Centre for Dialogue in Vancouver. This event will bring together Indigenous and non-Indigenous leaders to talk about the success and challenges of making social and economic progress in First Nations communities. More ...
October 10, 2012

Learning from success emphasized in BC Treaty Commission 2012 Annual Report

Twenty years after the BC Treaty Process Agreement was signed, the BC Treaty Commission has today released its annual report titled “Learning from our Success”. At the press conference today, Chief Commissioner Sophie Pierre noted, “The treaty negotiations process the parties signed on to 20 years ago is not broken, the principles it was based on are not broken, what is broken ...

Publications

What's In These Treaties? Why Treaties? Developing Intergovernmental Relationships What's the Deal With Treaties  
A plain language guide to the Tsawwassen First Nation treaty and the Maa-nulth First Nations treaty. Legal reasons for treaty making are addressed and underscored in landmark Canadian court cases addressing aboriginal rights and title. The experience of Sliammon First Nation and the City of Powell River in developing a respectful and cooperative relationship is instructive for communities seeking to be good neighbours. A how-to manual for individual First Nations people who want to participate in the treaty negotiation process.  
 
Compelling reasons for treaties
Historic Reasons

Historic Reasons

The border of British Columbia is a relatively new line drawn across a land that has nurtured and sustained an amazing diversity of people, plants and animals for thousands of years.
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Legal Reasons

Legal Reasons

Before Confederation the British Crown had signed major treaties. The new Dominion of Canada continued this policy of making treaties before the west was opened up for settlement.
More...

Economic Reasons

Economic Reasons

Treaties will pump billions of dollars into the BC economy making the biggest impact where the money is needed most – in the hands of First Nations and their neighbours in small-town British Columbia.
More...

Governmental Reasons

Governmental Reasons

A 13-year study of indigenous nations in the United States has found economic success is closely linked to the power to make decisions.
More...

Videos
economic impact

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