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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
VICTORIA – Premier Gordon Campbell, the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, and five Chiefs representing the Maa-nulth First Nations on Vancouver Island witnessed the joint initialling of the third Final Agreement reached under the British Columbia treaty process today.
“I want to thank the Maa-nulth
First Nations for the dedication and commitment they have shown in working with
us to complete a final agreement that will increase certainty for the region,
strengthen their respective communities and help close the social and economic
gap between First Nations and non-First Nations on Vancouver Island,” said
Campbell. “This final agreement will define the rights and title of the
Maa-nulth and provide them with the tools to become active participants in the
economy. The benefits of this agreement will be felt throughout the region for
generations to come.”
“The initialling of this Final Agreement holds tremendous promise
for the Maa-nulth-aht and the people of Canada,” said Minister Prentice. “This
Agreement is the first in British Columbia to be concluded with multiple First
Nations through the B.C. treaty process, and is evidence of the Government of
Canada’s strong commitment to concluding treaties with First Nations.”
The five Maa-nulth First Nations are Ucluelet First Nation, Huu-ay-aht First Nations, Toquaht Nation, Ka:'yu:'k't'h'/Che:k'tles7et'h' First Nations, and Uchucklesaht Tribe, all located on the west coast of Vancouver Island. The Maa-nulth First Nations have a combined population of approximately 2,000 people, many of whom live near Bamfield, Port Alberni, Ucluelet and Campbell River and in Kyuquot Sound.
The Final Agreement includes a land package as well as funding in the form of a capital transfer, annual resource revenue sharing payments, and ongoing and time-limited funding for each Maa-nulth First Nation. The cost of the Final Agreement will be shared by the federal and provincial governments. The Final Agreement also includes self-government provisions and defines each Maa-nulth First Nation’s rights to resources such as wildlife, fish, timber and sub-surface minerals.
“The Final Agreement
provides a tool box for our people to make our own decisions on our own terms,”
said Charlie Cootes, President of the Maa-nulth Treaty Society. “Today
represents a lot of hard work and co-operation between all the parties and an
end to the negotiations. It also signifies the beginning of a process that will
see us fully inform our membership. Nothing is finalized without membership
approval.”
The initialling of the Final Agreement allows the Maa-nulth First Nations to proceed with community votes on the Final Agreement. If the Maa-nulth First Nations ratify the Final Agreement, British Columbia will then proceed through its ratification process. A minister from the provincial cabinet must recommend the agreement for approval, and settlement legislation will then be introduced into the Legislative Assembly for debate. If British Columbia ratifies the Final Agreement, Canada will proceed through its ratification process. A federal cabinet minister must recommend the Final Agreement, and settlement legislation would be introduced in Parliament for debate. Once enacted through legislation, the Final Agreement will become a treaty and will be brought into effect on a date agreed to by the parties.
The Province of British Columbia and the Government of Canada recently initialled Final Agreements with Lheidli T’enneh Band near Prince George and with Tsawwassen First Nation in the Lower Mainland. Agreements in Principle have also been signed with Sliammon Indian Band, Yekooche Nation and Yale First Nation. Final Agreement negotiations with these First Nations are ongoing.
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More information about the Maa-nulth Final Agreement is
available online at www.gov.bc.ca/arr; www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/bc/treapro/ston/nwdev/nwdev_e.html;
and www.maanulth.ca.
For more information, please call the toll-free line for the Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, 1 800-880-1022.
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contact: |
Press Secretary Office of the Premier 250 213-8218
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Press Secretary Office of the Honourable Jim Prentice 819 997-0002
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Spokesperson Maa-nulth First Nations 604 230-3126
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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