Treaty Updates

February Update

posted February 12, 2010

On the opening day of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, Chief Negotiator Gerald Wesley was interviewed on CFNR radio regarding the state of Tsimsian Treaty Negotiations. Read his speaking notes here.

2010 - A New Year

posted January 7, 2010

Another year has been left behind with a new decade beginning. Over the past 12 months, the TFN Treaty Society has:
• Coordinated and participated in monthly meetings with Canada and British Columbia (in excess of 30 meeting days);
• assisted Kitasoo to secure a side-table for negotiations with the two levels of government;
• participated in community information and planning sessions;
• been provided an extensive sea tour of Kitasoo territory covering Kitasoo resource harvest areas, economic activities and historic sites;

Separate but related to treaty negotiations, Metlakatla, Kitsumkalum and Kitselas have been involved in negotiations with Canada and the Port of Prince Rupert to address impacts and potential benefits to First Nations as a result of the ongoing Port expansion.

In 2009, there were Chief and Council elections at Kitselas, Kitsumkalum, Kitasoo and Hartley Bay.

Canada and British Columbia both changed the make-up of their respective treaty negotiation teams. As of December 2009 their teams were:
• Bronwen Beedle, provincial Chief Negotiator
• Terry Clark, provincial negotiator,

• Brian Martin, federal Chief Negotiator
• Gerry Fleming, federal negotiator,
• Hardev Saran, federal assistant negotiator.

There was also change at the BC Treaty Commission level with Sophie Pierre appointed as the new Chief Commissioner in late 2008. Commissioner Jody Wilson-Raybould left the BCTC to serve her new role as AFN Regional Chief for BC. This left a vacancy which was filled by newly elected Commissioner Shana Manson. Commissioner Dave Haggard will now serve the TFN treaty table.

On a broader front, in July 2009, Shawn Atleo was elected the new National Chief for the Assembly of First Nations. Shawn is home grown in BC, coming from the Nuu-chah-nulth community of Ahousaht on the west-coast of Vancouver Island. Previous National Chief Phil Fontaine did not run for office and is now pursuing other paths in his career.

And as mentioned above, in October 2009, Jody Wilson-Raybould was the successful candidate to replace Shawn Atleo as the BC Regional Chief for the Assembly of First Nations. Jody had been the long serving BCTC representative to the TFN Treaty table.

Over the next 12 months, the TFN Treaty Society plans for a continuation of treaty negotiations as follows:
• addressing issues so that Canada and B.C. will provide an initial land and cash option to Kitselas and Kalum. This will provide further opportunity for a much more intense level of detail and negotiations in order to secure an Agreement-in-Principle that can be voted on by membership and then moving those two communities into Final Agreement Negotiations;
• Kitasoo will continue to negotiate chapter language for its AIP;
• Metlakatla is positioning to re-engage in direct negotiations in 2010;
• monitor and analyze legal cases and precedents that may have effect on Tsimshian Title and Rights;
• seeking additional resources for public information and communication at the First Nation level;
• continue to monitor and participate in regional activities at the AFN or First Nations Summit level.

Self-Government – A Personal Perspective

posted December 1, 2008

Self-Government is about us looking after ourselves – not being overly subjected to federal or provincial authorities as we are now. As First Nations with treaty or without, we will always have some requirements and arrangements to interact with other levels of government. Even with treaty, we will have general laws of the land to follow, in fact there will not likely be any change for First Nations in a variety of areas, e.g. highway and road safety, criminal matters etc.

Saying that, however, an objective of treaty is to gain control over as much law-making authority as possible so that in ‘looking after ourselves’ we do so with confidence that ‘this is how we want our society to be’. Treaty will also assist in confirming what our future government will look like, what its responsibility will be, how much authority we have, how it will be controlled and how it is comprised. These are issues that your community Constitution will outline as Constitutions are part of the treaty package. Continue reading article...

 

Tsimshian First Nations Negotiations in Brief

posted December 1, 2008

Go here to read full report

Tsimshian First Nation (TFN) negotiations can be broken down to 3 different approaches. The central office for Tsimshian First Nations Treaty Negotiations is responsible to coordinate and facilitate or lead these efforts. Recent meetings have been held on Sept. 3 & 4 at Kitsumkalum; Oct. 15 & 16 at Indian Affairs in Vancouver; and Nov. 12 & 13 at Kalum. The next one will be held Dec. 10 & 11 in Vancouver. We have 3 distinct efforts because of the differing circumstances among the five TFN's including detailed readiness and political direction from the community itself.

Kitselas and Kitsumkalum

Kitselas and Kitsumkalum are the most directly engaged in negotiations with Canada and British Columbia. These two communities have chosen to maintain negotiations by addressing every specific line of detail necessary to finalize an Agreement in Principle (AIP).

Kitasoo and Metlakatla

Kitasoo and Metlakatla have both participated in direct negotiations in order to prepare and determine that a basic framework was in place.

Kitasoo completed their internal community review process and presented the Kitasoo AIP proposal to Canada and British Columbia on October 16.

Metlakatla was a full participant with Kitselas and Kitsumkalum until the beginning of 2008 when they opted to revise efforts and align with the Kitasoo model. They expect their AIP proposal will be presented to government early in the new year.

Hartley Bay (Gitga'at)

Gitga'at has not been active in negotiations but has maintained communications by attending planning and review meetings along with each of the other Tsimshian First Nations. Gitga'at as well as each of the other TFN's have maintained effort to increase their role in surrounding economic opportunities while the negotiations process continues.

General Issues

TFN's will be meeting to review results and plan steps into the next year. Each year a collective Strategic Planning session is held involving leadership from each of the five first nations. No date has been set however past meetings have been held close to the end of the current fiscal period (March) in order to consider any funding realities.

All community members are encouraged to contact their treaty office for current updates and to share information.

 

About the Society

The Tsimshian First Nations (TFN) Treaty Society is comprised of five Tsimshian First Nations in Northwestern British Columbia in an effort to achieve a treaty agreement(s) with Canada and British Columbia under the British Columbia Treaty Commission process.

The TFN Treaty Society is legally registered as the Kitselas, Gitga'at, Kitsumkalum, Metlakatla, Kitasoo/Xaixais Treaty Society under the provincial Registrar of Societies as of September 17, 2004.

The purpose of the Society is to administer funds for treaty negotiations received on behalf of the Kitselas, Gitga'at, Kitsumkalum, Metlakatla, Kitasoo/Xaixais First Nations. (Incorporation Documents, 2004)

Read more about the Tsimshian First Nations Treaty Society

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Community Elections

 

Hartley Bay Election, December 10, 2009

The TFN Treaty Society congratulates newly elected Chief Councillor Arnold Clifton as well as Councillors Bruce Reece, Joel Dundas, Cameron Hill and Marven Robinson. Hartley Bay held its general chief and council elections on December 9 & 10, 2009.

The Hartley Bay (Gitga'at) Council serves a two year term. Hartley Bay can be contacted at:

Hartley Bay Band Council
General Delivery
445 Hayimiisaxaa Way
Hartley Bay, B.C.V0V 1A0
Phone:  250-841-2525
www.gitgaat.net

 

Archives

Presentations by Gerald Wesley

Discussions with the Tsimshian First Nations Chief Negotiator

A continuing series of articles about important treaty issues

Past Articles

Times of Change

Tsimshian Protocol for Cooperation Amongst the Tsimshian Nation

Two Votes – Two Endorsements

Ferry Sinking Still Hurting Hartley Bay

Tory MP Continues to Fight First Nation Efforts

The Long Struggle

Words from our leaders of the past

Kitsumkalum Elder Charles Nelson (Xpilaxha), September 1915

The Kitsumkalum are just like any other tribes—they have been bleeding day and night just on account of the way we have been treated and handled—why can’t we handle our land ourselves while men on the other side of the work they are handling our land for us. Another thing the Government employ people to go about the reserves and pay them high salaries—constables and Indian Agents—all the money that they are paid which comes out of our land money and they get fat on it, but we who own the land get slim, and so slim sometimes that we cannot work while these people they get “swelled up."

(Statement to the McKenna-McBride Royal Commission)

Giga'at Chiefs, 1913

We shall not consider or accept any offer from any one until our claim is settle by Justice. Our prayer is that our Title for our lands and unsurrendered lands be made clearer, recognized and acknowledged to us by both the Dominion and Provincial Governments, that is the vital point of our request or claim. (from a statement by the Gitga'at chiefs to the McKenna-McBride Commission.)

Gitga'at
Kitasoo
Kitselas
Kitsumkalum
Metlakatla