BC treaty negotiations transforming Indigenous rights recognition


VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 10, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Treaty negotiations are leading the way in reconciliation and providing answers to important questions about Indigenous rights recognition, land ownership, and resource development in Canada.

Today the BC Treaty Commission released its 2018 annual report highlighting innovations in treaty negotiations that are transforming the government-to-government relationship with Indigenous Peoples. We commend the Principals for embracing new initiatives that will result in improved policy and legal frameworks.

Featured in this year’s report is a summary legal opinion provided by Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, examining the right to free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) as it relates to treaty negotiations. The legal opinion determines that the made-in-BC treaty negotiations framework is a rights recognition process that operationalizes FPIC.

“The BC treaty negotiations process is the best mechanism to implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,” said Chief Commissioner Celeste Haldane. “A constitutionally entrenched treaty, negotiated by the First Nation, for the First Nation, is the essence of self-determination and establishes true reconciliation with BC and Canada.”

Quick Facts

  • The BC Treaty Commission 2018 annual report is available to read online at www.bctreaty.ca
     
  • Press conference video is available on the BC Treaty Commission’s YouTube channel.
     
  • 19 First Nations are in advanced stages of negotiations, representing 40 Indian Act bands. 
     
  • There are 29 modern treaties in Canada; 8 are implemented in British Columbia, representing one third of all modern treaties in Canada.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Odette Wilson / Communications Advisor / t: 604-482-9215 / c: 604-290-4059 / owilson@bctreaty.ca
Mark Smith / Director of Process / t: 604-482-9208 / msmith@bctreaty.ca

About the BC Treaty Commission
The Treaty Commission is the independent body responsible for overseeing treaty negotiations among the governments of Canada, BC and First Nations in BC. It has three roles: facilitation, funding, and public information and education.
Visit www.bctreaty.ca to learn more about the Treaty Commission.