The Maa-nulth agreement-in-principle (AIP) forms the basis of a Final Agreement that will clearly define the rights and obligations of the Maa-nulth First Nations. The treaty package outlined in the AIP deals with land, capital and resources. The provincial and federal governments will share the costs of the treaty package. British Columbia (BC) contributes mainly Crown land and Canada contributes mainly cash.

The Maa-nulth First Nations are five Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations: Huu-ay-aht, Ka:'yu:'k't'h'/Che:k'tles7et'h', Toquaht, Uchucklesaht and Ucluelet First Nations. Their communities are in the Barkley Sound and Kyuquot Sound areas on the west coast of Vancouver Island. They are committed to the achievement of self-government, and they are actively involved in economic development and business enterprise.

Land

• The treaty land package identified in the AIP includes up to 20,900 hectares of provincial Crown land and 2,105 hectares of existing Indian reserve land. These treaty lands will be held in fee simple, which will provide the First Nations with flexibility to manage their lands and generate long-term benefits.
  
• The Ucluelet First Nation will receive several small parcels of federal Crown land and $6.25 million to purchase private land from a willing seller.
  
• The terms and conditions of existing leases and licences will be identified and protected in the treaty.

Capital Transfer

• Once a treaty is concluded, the federal government will make a cash transfer to the Maa-nulth First Nations of $62.5 million. The Ucluelet First Nation will receive $6.25 million to purchase private property from a willing seller and, as a result, a smaller allocation of provincial Crown land.

Forestry

• Once a treaty is concluded, the Maa-nulth First Nations will own and manage the forest resources on their lands in keeping with provincial standards.

Wildlife and Migratory Birds

• Once a treaty is concluded, Maa-nulth First Nation hunters can harvest wildlife and migratory birds for domestic purposes within a defined harvest area that will include treaty and non-treaty land.
  
• The treaty will clarify the First Nations' rights, jurisdiction and responsibilities with respect to wildlife, migratory birds and their habitats. It also confirms the authority of provincial and federal ministers to manage these resources.

Fish

• The AIP sets out that the treaty will modify any aboriginal rights to fish that the Maa-Nulth First Nations may have into specific rights defined in the treaty, as well as the scope and limitations of these rights.
  
• Domestic allocations for the Maa-nulth First Nations include sockeye, chinook, coho and chum salmon, herring, halibut, some species of groundfish. Domestic allocations for Dungeness crab, prawns, bivalves, shellfish and tuna will be negotiated prior to finalizing the treaty.
  
• The AIP provides for the Maa-nulth First Nations and the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans to negotiate an agreement outside the treaty for commercial fish opportunities. These negotiations will determine annual allocations of sockeye and chinook salmon, herring, halibut, sablefish and Dungeness crab.
  
• Commercial fish opportunities will have the same priority as regular commercial fisheries in management decisions by the Minister.

Environmental Protection and Parks

• The AIP provides for the negotiation of agreements outside the treaty for Maa-nulth First Nations to have a role in park operations and management in specific parks. The federal government and Maa-nulth First Nations will set out arrangements for the establishment of a planning and management process for a portion of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.
  
• The AIP ensures that province-wide standards of resource management and environmental protection will continue to apply. In addition, Maa-nulth First Nation governments will be able to make environmental protection laws on treaty lands.

Culture and Heritage

• In recognition of the First Nations' heritage, Canada, British Columbia and Maa-nulth First Nations will set out provisions for the sharing or transfer to Maa-nulth First Nations of agreed-to Maa-nulth First Nations' artefacts.

Governance

• Self-Government of the Maa-nulth First Nations will be accomplished through powers that are in the treaty and additional powers that are in a Self-Government Agreement that is outside the treaty.
  
• The Self-Government Agreement will be negotiated prior to the Final Agreement. Together, the Final Agreement and the Self-Government Agreement will enable the Maa-nulth First Nations to manage their own affairs and public institutions, administer their collective interests and participate in regional planning processes.

Taxation

• Transitional tax measures will be negotiated prior to Final Agreement.
  
• Under the treaty, Maa-nulth First Nation governments will have law-making authority for direct taxation of Maa-nulth First Nation members on treaty land and, upon agreement with Canada or BC, over non-members on treaty land.

Media Contact

Mike Morton
Press Secretary to the Premier
250 213-8218

Victor C. Pearson
Maa-nulth First Nations
250 228 7196

Ken Kolba
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
604 775-7717

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