Treaty Principals sign Accord to transform treaty negotiations in British Columbia

VANCOUVER, Dec. 1, 2018 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada, the Government of British Columbia, and the First Nations Summit (the Principals) have taken an important step to move forward as partners in transforming treaty negotiations and advancing reconciliation with First Nations in British Columbia.

Grand Chief Ed John, Cheryl Casimer and Robert Phillips of the First Nations Summit; the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, federal Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations; and the Honourable Scott Fraser, British Columbia's Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, signed the Principals' Accord on Transforming Treaty Negotiations in British Columbia on December 1, 2018.

Through the Accord, the Principals recognize the need for a different approach to treaty negotiations to get results in a shorter timeframe that lead to prosperous, healthy and self-determining Indigenous communities.

The Accord states that extinguishment and surrender of rights have no place in modern-day Crown-Indigenous relations or agreements. Instead, the federal and provincial governments and First Nations Summit have agreed that Aboriginal title and rights must be continued through treaties, as well as other types of agreements. 

The Accord states that the Principals respect the right of each First Nation to select their own pathway to exercising self-determination, whether they pursue reconciliation with the provincial and federal governments through treaties or other types of agreements and arrangements.

The Accord affirms that treaty negotiations and implementation must reflect the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action.

The Accord demonstrates the Principals' commitment to transformative change beyond the recommendations set out in the 2016 Multilateral Engagement Process to Improve and Expedite Treaty Negotiations in British Columbia.

Quotes

"This Accord signals that the Crown and First Nations in British Columbia are serious about removing the impediments and obstacles that have long been present in treaty negotiations in British Columbia. This new approach reflects a recognition of rights-based approach that will help create an environment that will accelerate and build momentum towards concluding treaties and negotiated agreements in British Columbia."

The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, M.D., P.C., M.P.
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations

"The treaty process in British Columbia needs to better reflect our growing and evolving relationship with First Nations, and our commitment to the UN Declaration. Our goal is to found treaties on lasting government-to-government relationships that are flexible, adaptable, and don't freeze rights in time. With our federal and First Nations partners, we are focused on creating real change and developing treaties that lead to lasting reconciliation."

The Honourable Scott Fraser
Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation

"The federal and provincial governments' relationships with Indigenous Nations have been steeped in colonialism. Crown denial of Aboriginal title and rights of BC Indigenous nations and our distinct governments, laws traditions and cultures has had a profound and lasting impact on Indigenous peoples and has undermined social and economic growth in this country.  Crown denial of our titles and rights has also served as an obstacle to progress at many treaty negotiation tables. Through the Principals' Accord and other policy initiatives, Canada and British Columbia have committed to forge a new relationship with Indigenous peoples based on recognition and implementation of Indigenous rights, rather than their extinguishment.  In the Accord, the Principals also agree that section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 contains a full box of rights. We are encouraged by the commitments and processes set out in the Principals' Accord which, once implemented, can further support the conclusion of treaties in a timely manner and help us turn the page on Crown denial of our titles and rights."

Grand Chief Edward John
First Nations Summit Political Executive

"The BC treaty negotiation framework, in addition to serving as the primary mechanism for Canada, BC and First Nations to achieve reconciliation, provides a framework for operationalizing the minimum standards for the survival, dignity and well-being of Indigenous peoples that are set out in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, including the standard of free, prior and informed consent set out at Article 32(2). Implementation of Canada and BC's commitment in the Principals' Accord to ensure that Crown treaty negotiation mandates will be consistent with the UN Declaration can go a long way towards transforming and reinvigorating the BC treaty negotiations framework."

Cheryl Casimer
First Nations Summit Political Executive

"Although several treaties have been concluded in BC under the BC treaty negotiations framework, overall, progress has been unacceptably slow, and we have encountered more challenges than were initially anticipated. Perseverance, hard work and regular and effective communication among the Principals will be required to implement the commitments set out in the Principals' Accord. Thus, it is vitally important that the Principals live up to their commitment to meet at least twice a year in person to continue collaborating on addressing issues that may be impeding progress in treaty negotiations."

Robert Phillips
First Nations Summit Political Executive

Associated Link

Principals' Accord
Multilateral Engagement Process to Improve and Expedite Treaty Negotiations in British Columbia
First Nations Summit

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SOURCE Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC)

media may contact: Matthew Dillon-Leitch, Director of Communications, Office of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, 819-997-0002; Media Relations, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, 819-934-2302, [email protected]; Sarah Plank, Media Relations, Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, 250-208-9621; Colin Braker, Communications Director, First Nations Summit, 604-328-4094

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