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News

June 19, 2009 jd

Maa-Nulth First Nations Final Agreement Passed in Record Time

VANCOUVER — The Maa-nulth First Nations Final Agreement made its way through the House of Commons, the Senate, the Senate Standing Committee on Aboriginal Peoples and received royal assent by the Governor General in just four days.
June 11, 2009 jd

New Minister for B.C.'s treaty negotiations

VANCOUVER — The Treaty Commission is very pleased that George Abbott has been appointed as the new Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation.
May 8, 2009 jd

Treaty Commission Update

The dark shadow of the Indian Act lifted off Tsawwassen First Nation at midnight on April 3 and is replaced by 23 laws that form the foundation for their self government.
 

Treaties

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
Maa-nulth First Nations Final Agreement
has been ratified by the five First Nations and the Government of British Columbia; yet to be ratified by the Government of Canada.

lheidli
Lheidli T’enneh First Nation Final Agreement
was concluded but not ratified in a vote by the First Nation members in March 2007.



Agreements in Principle

In-SHUCK-ch Nation Agreement in Principle was concluded in August 2007.

Sliammon First Nation Agreement in Principle was concluded in October 2003.

Yale First Nation Agreement in Principle was concluded in March 2006.

Yekooche First Nation Agreement in Principle was concluded in August 2005.

Sechelt Indian Band Agreement in Principle was concluded in April 1999.


Compelling reasons for treaties
 

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

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.
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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.
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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...

 


Publications

What's In These Treaties?

Why Treaties?

Developing Intergovernmental Relationships

Rights and Responsiblities

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. This layperson's guide to treaty making, now in its fifth edition, was originally part of an educational kit for secondary schools, but is now in wide circulation.


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