February 2007 index

Frustration growing for
45 First Nations in BC

Five more First Nations, including the Ahousaht First Nation, Gitanyow First Nation, Kitselas First Nation, Sechelt Indian Band and Tsleil-Waututh Nation, signed onto the Unity Protocol agreement January 18th.

This brings the total to 45 First Nations, representing over 25,000 First Nations people from across British Columbia, who are working to proactively develop a proactive solution to remove the barriers that have slowed negotiations at many treaty tables across the province.

“There are common issues and concerns that many First Nations continue to face in their negotiations as a result of the federal and provincial governments failure to engage in real negotiations that recognize our Aboriginal rights and title,” said Robert Morales, Chair of the First Nations Summit Chief Negotiators.

“The addition of five more First Nations demonstrates the growing frustration of many First Nations and the importance of the Unity Protocol to the future treaty making process. We are committed to that goal, but we cannot and will not stand idly by given the current process and lack of substantive results,” added Morales.

The Unity Protocol, which was formed in October 2006, is intended to jointly engage Canada and British Columbia in the negotiation of principles or options that all parties can rely upon when negotiating individual treaties. Specifically this involves negotiations on six key issues, including:
• Certainty;
• Constitutional Status of Treaty Lands;
• Governance;
• Co-Management throughout traditional territories;
• Fiscal Relations and Taxation;
• and Fisheries. 

“The reality at many negotiating tables is that Canada and British Columbia have imposed rigid positions with pre-defined outcomes that are contrary to the sincere, good-faith negotiations that are a requirement for this process to be a success. As the Auditor-General recently reported, since 1992, it is estimated that over $1 billion has been spent on negotiations. If we are to truly have resolution and certainty in our province, we simply cannot continue this way,” said Morales. 
The Unity Protocol members urge the federal and provincial governments to honour the recommendations of the 1991 tri-partite Claims Task Force Report which is the foundation for treaty negotiations in BC and revitalize the process so all First Nations can have certainty and resolution.

MEMBERS OF THE FIRST NATIONS UNITY PROTOCOL:

• Ditidaht First Nation
• Hamatla Treaty Society
- Campbell River
- Cape Mudge
- K'ómoks
- Kwiakah
• Gitanyow First Nation
• Gitga’at
• Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group
- Chemainus  
- Cowichan  
- Halalt  
- Lake Cowichan
- Lyackson  
- Penelakut  
• Hupacasath First Nation
• Kitselas First Nation
• Northern Shuswap Treaty Society
- Canim Lake 
- Canoe Creek
- Soda Creek
- Williams Lake
• Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council
- Ahousaht
- Ehattesaht
- Hesquiaht
- Mowachaht
- Muchalaht
- Nuchatlaht
- Tla-o-qui-aht
- Tseshaht
• Pacheedaht First Nation
• Quatsino First Nation
• Sechelt Indian Band
• Snuneymuxw First Nation
• Sto:lo Nation
- Aitchelitz
- Chawathil
- Cheam
- Kwaw-kwaw-a-pilt
- Leq' a: mel
- Matsqui
- Popkum
- Scowlitz
- Seabird Island
- Shxwhá:y
- Shxw'ow'hamel
- Skawahlook
- Skowkale
- Soowahlie
- Squiala
- Sumas
- Tzeachten
- Yakweakwioose
• Tsleil-Waututh First Nation
• Westbank First Nation

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