First Nations, federal and B.C. provincial governments sign new treaty agreement
The new approach shifts away from seeking a full and final settlement
The British Columbia government says a new agreement between a group of Indigenous people and the provincial and federal governments is consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
The treaty negotiations memorandum of understanding was signed Saturday at a ceremony in the Fraser Valley community of Leq'a:mel by the chiefs from the six First Nations of the Sto:lo Xwexwilmexw Treaty Association and ministers from the provincial and federal governments.
The new approach recognizes that Indigenous rights are inherent and cannot be extinguished or surrendered, and shifts away from seeking a full and final settlement.
I was so honoured to be with the peoples of Stó:lō Xwexwilmexw Treaty Association to sign our MOU, alongside <a href="https://twitter.com/scottfraserndp?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@scottfraserndp</a> of the BC government yesterday. This was the result of so much hard work, and it is a huge step toward a treaty that works for the Stó:lō Nation. <a href="https://t.co/2pSz8pBW1T">pic.twitter.com/2pSz8pBW1T</a>
—@Carolyn_BennettA release from the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation says it builds a collaborative government-to-government relationship that can adapt to changing circumstances as policies evolve or new rights are established by the courts.
Constitutional relationship, self-government, land ownership and jurisdiction will be set out in a constitutionally protected treaty while operational policy matters will be included in supplementary agreements.
The signatories are six Sto:lo communities with villages in the lower Fraser Valley between Vancouver and Yale.