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 Treaties are good for BC

Treaties will pump billions of dollars into the BC economy.
The financial benefits to First Nations could be as high as $10 billion*.
Those capital and investment dollars will make the biggest impact where the money is needed most – in the hands of First Nations and their neighbours throughout the province.
When a First Nation prospers with a modern-day treaty the whole region prospers.
*according to the PricewaterhouseCoopers analysis commissioned by the Treaty Commission

 Treaties

Tsawwassen First Nation Final 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 First Nations Final Agreement
Maa-nulth First Nations Final Agreement

is effective April 1, 2011 following ratification by the five First Nations and the governments of Canada and British Columbia.
Lheidli T'enneh First Nation Final Agreement
Lheidli T’enneh First Nation Final Agreement

was concluded but not ratified in a vote by the First Nation members in March 2007. A second vote is to be held.
Yale First Nation Final Agreement
Yale First Nation Final Agreement

was concluded in February 2010, ratified by Yale members on March 12, 2011 and ratified by the BC legislature on June 2, 2011. It now must be ratified by the Government Canada.
Yale First Nation Final Agreement
Tla'amin Final Agreement

was initialled on October 21, 2011 but is yet to be ratified. The Tla'amin vote will take place in June 2012.

 Agreements in Principle

 Information

April 15, 2013

Chief Commissioner Sophie Pierre reappointed

VANCOUVER – Sophie Pierre was reappointed as Chief Commissioner of the BC Treaty Commission on Friday, April 12, 2013. Pierre was reappointed upon agreement from the three Principals of the Treaty process: the governments of Canada, British Columbia and the First Nations Summit.
March 8, 2013

BC Treaty Commissioners Phillips and Haldane to serve further two-year terms

VANCOUVER – BC Treaty Commissioners Robert Phillips and Celeste Haldane have reclaimed their positions by acclamation following the First Nations Summit meeting on Wednesday. Both Commissioners will serve additional two-year terms with the Commission.
February 18, 2013

Over 120 leaders to convene at Section 35
symposium tomorrow

VANCOUVER – The Beyond Section 35 Symposium will tomorrow bring together over 120 Indigenous and non-Indigenous leaders, academics and top legal minds in Vancouver BC. Participants will engage in a two-day dialogue about the substantial impact that Section 35 recognition of Aboriginal rights has had on altering both federal/provincial law and policy regarding Indigenous Peoples and governance in Canada.
February 18, 2013

Gitxsan and Tsimshian work together

VANCOUVER – The BC Treaty Commission recognizes and supports the ongoing engagement between the Gitxsan Hereditary Chiefs and two of the Tsimshian First Nations, Kitselas and Kitsumkalum, in their efforts to resolve their overlapping territorial issues. Kitselas and Kitsumkalum are both advancing towards ...
January 28, 2013

Beyond Section 35 symposium to bring together
leaders in governance

VANCOUVER – The BC Treaty Commission and the New Relationship Trust, working with the Institute on Governance, will host a two-day symposium on February 19 and 20 at the Wosk Centre for Dialogue in Vancouver. This event will bring together Indigenous and non-Indigenous leaders to talk about the success and challenges of making social and economic progress in First Nations communities. More ...
October 10, 2012

Learning from success emphasized in BC Treaty Commission 2012 Annual Report

Twenty years after the BC Treaty Process Agreement was signed, the BC Treaty Commission has today released its annual report titled “Learning from our Success”. At the press conference today, Chief Commissioner Sophie Pierre noted, “The treaty negotiations process the parties signed on to 20 years ago is not broken, the principles it was based on are not broken, what is broken ...
September 5, 2012

BC Treaty Commission encouraged by Harper Government's new approach to treaty and self-government negotiations

Chief Commissioner Sophie Pierre is encouraged by the announcement released by the Honorable John Duncan, which announced a plan to work with partners on a new approach to expedite treaty and ...
July 11, 2012

Tla’amin people vote in favour of treaty

The Tla’amin people have voted to accept a treaty agreement that provides self-government, 70 kilometers of oceanfront land near Powell River, resource revenue sharing and cash. “This is truly a great day for the Tla’amin people who have voted to step out from underneath the Indian Act to chart their own future ...
June 27, 2012

Treaty Commission applauds Senate Report on
BC Treaty Process

Chief Commissioner Sophie Pierre today applauded the Senate Report which calls the BC treaty process ‘a commitment worth preserving’. The conclusion of treaties provides important benefits both within and outside First Nations, including a solid legal basis for future economic development, states the report of the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples. And while great ...
June 17, 2012

Tla’amin people denied treaty vote

Tla’amin members prevented from casting a treaty vote Saturday should be able to exercise their democratic right to vote according to the Treaty Commission. “The small number of Tla’amin members who blocked the doors to the polling station in Sliammon village near Powell River have trampled on the rights of the Tla’amin people,” said Chief Commissioner Sophie Pierre.
May 3, 2012

Report on treaty negotiations holds key to progress

Recommendations to accelerate treaty negotiations in British Columbia contained in a special report to the federal minister of aboriginal affairs will shake the status quo if accepted ...
April 17, 2012

Constitution Act, 1982 turns 30 today

Thirty years ago today the Constitution Act was passed into law. Section 35 of the act promises aboriginal rights recognition as the Supreme Court of Canada emphasized in the Haida court case. This makes treaty making ...
January 26, 2012

Treaty Commission Update January 2012

This issue of Update addresses the need for renewal in the BC Treaty process and highlights the treaty initialling event at Sliammon First Nation.
November 30, 2011

Human Resource Capacity Tool Kit

This is a tool First Nations can use to assess and develop their capacity to govern under a treaty.

Publications

What's In These Treaties? Why Treaties? Developing Intergovernmental Relationships 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.  
 
Compelling reasons for treaties
Historic Reasons

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

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.
More...

Economic Reasons

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.
More...

Governmental Reasons

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...

Videos
economic impact

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