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A NEW BEGINNING FOR A NEW MILLENNIUM AT NISGA'A NATION

OTTAWA (April 13, 2000) - The Nisga'a Final Agreement Act received Royal Assent today. The legislation ratifies the Nisga'a Final Agreement negotiated between the Nisga'a people, the Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia (BC), giving legal effect to the first modern-day treaty in the province.

"It is appropriate that the ratification of the Nisga'a Final Agreement Act comes at the beginning of a new millennium as it marks a new beginning for the Nisga'a people," said Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Robert Nault. "Ratifying the Nisga'a treaty is consistent with the spirit of reconciliation and renewal outlined in Gathering Strength ? Canada's Aboriginal Action Plan. Under the Agreement, the Nisga'a will regain authority over their lands and affairs and will have the opportunity to build stable, self-reliant communities that can participate in the economic growth of Canada. The settlement will stimulate the local economy and spur economic development, creating a positive climate for investment and growth on Aboriginal lands and in surrounding communities. The treaty is the right thing for the Nisga'a Nation, their fellow British Columbians and all Canadians."

The Nisga'a quest for recognition of territorial rights began over 100 years ago, with the formation of their first Land Committee in 1890. However, from the 1920s to the 1950s, the Nisga'a were prevented from pursuing their goals by legislation which made it illegal for Indians to raise money to advance land claims. Following the repeal of this legislation in 1955, the Nisga'a Land Committee re-established itself as the Nisga'a Tribal Council.

In 1968 the Tribal Council, led by then-Chief Frank Calder, began an action in the British Columbia Supreme Court. However, it was not until 1973 that the Supreme Court of Canada rendered a decision which prompted the overhaul of our land claims negotiation process. In the wake of the Calder decision, the federal government adopted a comprehensive claims policy and began treaty negotiations with the Nisga'a in 1976. The BC government formally joined the two parties at the table in 1990.

On November 9, 1998, members of the Nisga'a Nation approved the Final Agreement through a ratification vote. The Nisga'a treaty underwent nearly five months of debate in the BC legislature, seven weeks in the House of Commons and was in the Senate for four months. After more than twenty-five years of negotiation, the Nisga'a treaty sets out the Nisga'a right to self government and their power to manage their own lands and resources.

Thoroughly debated and analysed across the country, the Nisga'a treaty balances the interests of all parties and ushers in a new era of federal/provincial co-operation. Each section of the Final Agreement includes provisions that reflect how governments addressed the concerns of the public and third parties which were brought to the attention of negotiators at nearly 500 public information and third party consultation meetings conducted during the negotiations.

The Nisga'a Final Agreement Act will be implemented in accordance with a detailed Implementation Plan as agreed to by Canada, British Columbia, and the Nisga'a.

For more information, please contact:

Steve Outhouse
Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
(819) 994-2044

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