BC Treaty Commission annual report September 2004

[infocom@pro.net]

BC Treaty Commission annual report - more optimism thanks to the facts or the Political / P.R. spin meisters?

". . . the new relationship being sought is beginning to take shape for some First Nations."

News and Comment
by Tehaliwaskenhas
Bob Kennedy,Oneida
Copyright
Turtle Island Native Network
http://www.turtleisland.org

September 22, 2004

"There continue to be conflicting views on how much progress is being made in treaty negotiations. While it is true that we have never been closer to treaties in British Columbia, it is also true that much of the groundbreaking negotiation is taking place at only a handful of tables."

There are more agreements in principle waiting in the wings, according to the annual report of the BC Treaty Commission. "Last year we pronounced that treaties were within reach if the parties could clear the remaining, significant hurdles. As the views we have gathered in this report show, that process is underway and the new relationship being sought is beginning to take shape for some First Nations. Three more agreements in principle have been ratified, bringing the total to four in the past 14 months. Negotiators for the parties hope to reach final agreements
early in 2005. The Treaty Commission is committed to assisting these four tables achieve treaties and will support through active facilitation all those tables where the First Nations are ready and committed to moving forward."

However, the BCTC promises it must take a stronger position in order to move negotiations ahead and to make sure all participants are following the guidelines previously agreed to by them.

"The Treaty Commission has served notice that it will be more public and assertive in taking stances when the Principals or the parties in negotiations do not adhere to the Task Force recommendations identified in the Mission Statement. In the first instance, the Treaty Commission will report its concerns to the Principals or the parties. These reports will be the basis for public reporting where issues remain unaddressed. "

The government was gently chastised for continuing its litigation against individual First Nations, a strategy that gets in the way of progress in the BC Treaty Process.

"Relationships cannot be built in court. And ultimately, treaty making is about building new relationships. We have been critical of the federal government for its at times inflexible, litigate-or-negotiate policy. We recognize that in other spheres of life, litigation and negotiation go hand-in-hand. We are all familiar with the out of court settlements negotiated on the courthouse steps. The conundrum is this: First Nations may feel forced to take legal action to protect interests they do not see being addressed at the treaty table. And then they cannot negotiate a resolution of their rights because they have taken legal action. It is a catch-22 situation."

DETAILS
http://www.bctreaty.net/files_2/pdf_doc ... ort_04.pdf

[Guest]

FIRST NATIONS AGREEMENT BENEFITS BULKLET VALLEY

October 1, 2004

PRINCE GEORGE – Today the Skin Tyee First Nation signed a forestry
agreement with the Province, providing revenue, timber and new economic opportunities for the band and region, announced Forests Minister Michael de Jong.

“We are meeting our commitment to create new forestry opportunities for
B.C.’s First Nations,” said de Jong. “The timber volume and revenue in
today’s agreement will help meet the economic needs of the Skin Tyee
First Nation, while creating a new platform for economic activity in the
Bulkley Valley region.

“The Skin Tyee have been looking for a means of growing and diversifying
their economy,” said Dennis MacKay, MLA for Bulkley Valley-Stikine. “This
government has provided tools that will open up new opportunities for the
Skin Tyee in forestry, bringing employment, skills training and a new
future for their community.”

Through today’s agreement, the Skin Tyee First Nation will gain access to
125,000 cubic metres of timber in the Lakes timber supply area, and
$303,245 in revenue sharing over five years. A portion of the timber
volume in today’s agreement is undercut; the remainder will be available
once the provincewide timber reallocation process is complete. Under the
Forestry Revitalization Plan, government committed to reallocate timber
to communities, woodlot operators and First Nations to diversify the
forest economy.

“Finally, a government we can work with to bring a positive economic
opportunity to our people,” said Skin Tyee Chief David Crocker. “With
proceeds from logging and revenue sharing we can establish forestry
operations and invest in other economic initiatives that will create
sustainable jobs for our people.”

The Skin Tyee First Nation has 121 members on Francois Lake, south of
Burns Lake.

With this agreement, the Province receives acknowledgement from the Skin Tyee First Nation that the economic benefits are a workable interim
accommodation with respect to the economic component of potential
infringements of their aboriginal interests regarding forestry decisions
and operations. The agreement also sets out a streamlined consultation
process and provides certainty to forest operations within the band’s
asserted traditional territories.

Since Sept. 2002, government has signed agreements with 71 First
Nations, providing a total of $65.9 million and 10.5 million cubic metres
of timber over the term of the agreements. In the Feb. 2004 throne
speech, the Province reiterated its commitment to sharing revenues,
building new relationships and opening up new opportunities for First
Nations in forestry.

[tsawwassenfirstnation.com]

New Tsawwassen First Nation web site provides fact-based information and treaty updates

TSAWWASSEN, BC, Sept. 16, 2004

As part of its public education campaign, the Tsawwassen First Nation (TFN) has launched a new web site for the public and media. The web address is www.tsawwassenfirstnation.com

The new site, to be updated on a regular basis, will carry breaking news
about TFN treaty making as TFN works to sign B.C.'s first urban treaty.
In a related development, TFN has produced a 28-page Fact Book, 'Land Facing the Sea' which provides historical background and context.

Complimentary copies of the Fact Book, written in plain language are available by phoning the TFN office. Educational packages for high schools and post-secondary institutions may also be arranged.

TFN signed its Agreement in Principle (AIP) this past spring. A summary
of the AIP is posted on the web site and is included in the Fact Book.

For further information: OR TO REQUEST A FACT BOOK: Tanya Corbet,
Communications Director, Tsawwassen First Nation, (604) 948-5205,
WWW.tsawwassenfirstnation.com