Self-governance a step closer for group of B.C. First Nations

A group of four First Nations inBritish Columbia's Cariboo region have signed anagreement-in-principle with the provincial and federal governments,moving a step closer to establishing a formal treaty.

The agreement-in-principle outlines the elements of a treaty forthe four communities, including land and resource ownership,harvesting rights, social services, and processes for transitionfrom the Indian Act to self-governance.

'Great day'

Chief Ann Louie of the T'exelc First Nation of Williams Lake saidin a statement that Sunday's signing was a "great day,"representing the culmination of 25 years of discussions to end thecontrol of the Indian Act on her band.

"We have heard from others who have achieved Final Agreement ofthe joy of being free of the Indian Act and making their owndecisions for themselves, and the benefits they have been able toachieve for their communities and members," Louie said.

The agreement signed Sunday in the Tsq'escen' community of CanimLake begins the final stage of treaty negotiations with thecommunities that make up the Northern Secwepemc te Qelmucw.

The BC Treaty Commission released a statement several hours lateron Sunday, congratulating the parties on the agreement-in-principleand heralding it as a sign of progress for the Cariboo region.

'New relationship'

"There are complex reconciliation issues in the area, andtoday's signing ... signals a commitment to a new relationship forthe whole region," said Chief Commissioner Celeste Haldane in therelease.

A joint statement released by the bands, the Government of Canadaand the Government of British Columbia said the treaty informed bythe agreement would be guided by the governments' "new commitmentsto reconciliation."

The Northern Secwepemc te Qelmucw is made up of theStswecem'c-Xgat'tem, the T'exelc, the Tsq'escen', and the Xat'sullFirst Nations.

The group represents more than 2,600 people and has beennegotiating with the British Columbian and Canadian governmentssince 1996.

Modern treaties

The BCTreaty Commission says close to 40 per centof all BC Indian Act bands are actively negotiating or already implementing a modern treaty.

In June, members of the Lheidli T'enneh First Nation in north-central B.C.voted against a treaty that would have provided them with land, resource rights and the power to self-govern.