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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Backgrounder |
PRINCE GEORGE – British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell, the Honourable Robert Nault, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, and Lheidli T’enneh First Nation Chief Barry Seymour signed an agreement-in-principle (AIP) today under the B.C. treaty process. The AIP will form the basis for negotiations of a legally binding treaty.
“Today’s agreement-in-principle is an accomplishment that all British Columbians can celebrate,” said Premier Campbell. “Our government pledged to fast-track treaty talks to achieve fair, equitable treaty settlements that provide certainty for all British Columbians, aboriginal and non-aboriginal alike. All three partners are committed to work to conclude a final treaty that will materially improve the lives of the Lheidli T’enneh and provide greater economic opportunities for the entire region.”
“This agreement represents very significant progress toward a full treaty with the Lheidli T'enneh,” said Minister Nault. “The Lheidli T'enneh are already realizing the benefits of stronger relationships with local government, greater involvement in regional development, and more control over managing the day-to-day business of their own community. This is what a treaty is all about.”
“Signing the agreement-in-principle is an important step for our people and for all the people in the Prince George region and throughout British Columbia,” said Chief Seymour. “We plan to finalize a treaty in the next 12 to 18 months that will create economic certainty and opportunities for us all.”
Representing more than 300 Carrier people from the Prince George region, the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation entered the treaty process in 1993 and began negotiating an AIP in 1996. The costs of the treaty package will be shared by B.C. and Canada. The land component of the AIP is slightly over 4,000 hectares and is largely provided by B.C. The capital transfer, largely provided by the Government of Canada, is $12.8 million – less any outstanding negotiation loans and any amounts that may be used to purchase up to 150 hectares of additional land on a willing-seller, willing-buyer basis. The AIP outlines the other major components of a treaty, including rights to resources such as wildlife and fish, timber and sub-surface minerals, culture and related self-government provisions.
An AIP is the fourth step in a six-step treaty negotiations process set out by the B.C. Treaty Commission and is not legally binding. The Lheidli T’enneh AIP sets the groundwork for final treaty negotiations with provisions on land, capital transfer, resource management, culture and governance. Today’s signing completes the AIP approval process, enabling the parties to act on their commitment to move quickly towards a final agreement. Chief Negotiators have recommended three other AIPs with First Nations in British Columbia. AIPs with the Snuneymuxw First Nation in the Nanaimo area, Maa-nulth First Nations on west-central Vancouver Island and the Sliammon First Nation on the Sunshine Coast are currently going through community and provincial government approval processes.
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For photos of this announcement please visit http://www.gov.bc.ca/prem/popt/gallery/
This release is also available on the Internet at http://www.inac.gc.ca and http://www.gov.bc.ca
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