PROVINCE, IN-SHUCK-CH REACH TREATY UNDERSTANDING

The Province and In-SHUCK-ch Nation have completed their negotiations toward a treaty and have initialled an agreement of understanding on the substantive issues of a final agreement.

Treaty discussions will continue between the In-SHUCK-ch Nation and Canada with the purpose of resolving outstanding issues. Once a final agreement is initialled by all three parties, members of the In-SHUCK-ch Nation will hold a ratification vote on whether to ratify the agreement.

Many issues discussed in treaty negotiations are within provincial responsibility, with others, such as fishery, falling within the authority of the federal government. British Columbia and In-SHUCK-ch have reached an agreement on all elements that fall within provincial jurisdiction, including provincial Crown lands and many governance authorities.

Land

Proposed treaty lands will connect existing reserves along the Lillooet River and provincial Crown land, totalling approximately 16,319 hectares. This includes 59 hectares of fee simple land, purchased by British Columbia and Canada on a willing seller basis, that is being held for In-SHUCK-ch until a final agreement is completed.

Forestry

In-SHUCK-ch will own and manage all forest resources on their land once a treaty agreement is finalized. The In-SHUCK-ch Nation will be able to create laws for forest management that are consistent with provincial standards.

Wildlife, Migratory Birds

The agreement will provide In-SHUCK-ch Nation with the ability to harvest wildlife and migratory birds within a defined harvest area on treaty and non-treaty land. In-SHUCK-ch Nation hunters will be required to carry and produce documentation issued by the In-SHUCK-ch Nation government. Province-wide standards of resource management and environmental protection will apply.

Environmental Protection and Parks

Province-wide standards of protection and resource management will continue to apply to a final agreement. In-SHUCK-ch will have the authority to make environmental protection laws on treaty lands and will participate in environmental assessment processes for proposed projects. Public access to provincial parks will not change.

Culture and Heritage

In-SHUCK-ch Nation may make laws applicable on In-SHUCK-ch lands to preserve, promote and practise their language and culture. The final agreement provides a detailed process for reconciliation, including reclamation of In-SHUCK-ch’s artifacts and ancestral remains. Historically significant sites of the In-SHUCK-ch Nation will be protected. In recognition of their historical ties to the region, In-SHUCK-ch may propose that In-SHUCK-ch names apply to key geographical features.

Treaties

British Columbia’s treaty negotiation process was developed to provide a framework for treaty negotiations among First Nations, and the governments of British Columbia and Canada. The treaty process is managed by the British Columbia Treaty Commission (BCTC), an independent, neutral body that helps facilitate negotiations among the three negotiating parties.

The BCTC process has been in place since 1992 and is open to all First Nations in the province on a voluntary basis. It is up to First Nations to decide how they organize themselves for the purposes of treaty negotiations. At some tables there is a single First Nation represented, while at others there may be two or more.

The treaty process consists of six stages as follows:

Stage 1 – Statement of intent to negotiate
Stage 2 – Readiness to negotiate
Stage 3 – Negotiation of a framework agreement
Stage 4 – Negotiation of an Agreement in Principle
Stage 5 – Negotiation to finalize a Final Agreement or treaty
Stage 6 – Implementation of the treaty

In addition to improving the quality of life for Aboriginal people, treaties stimulate investment, create jobs and expand economic opportunities throughout the province.

For more information on treaties visit http://www.treaties.gov.bc.ca/

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Media contact:	Laura Davis Communications Manager Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation 250 387-1204 250 888-8793	Eppa (Gerard Peters) Chief Negotiator In-SHUCK-ch Nation 604 970-7891 (cell)

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