Looking forward to a future under self-government, youth members of the Tla'amin Nation today placed personal mementos into a time capsule, celebrating the introduction of provincial legislation to ratify the Tla'amin treaty.

They were joined by Premier Christy Clark, Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Minister Ida Chong and Tla'amin Nation Chief Clint Williams.

"This is a historic day for the Tla'amin people, for those who have worked long and hard to reach this moment, and perhaps most of all, for the youth who will come of age under the treaty," said Premier Clark. "We are now within sight of implementing a final treaty agreement that will bring certainty and economic benefits to Tla'amin members and to the surrounding region - and will ultimately benefit all British Columbians. This is the beginning of a brand new chapter in our shared history."

"It is truly an honour to be a leader for the Tla'amin First Nation at this important time in our history," said Chief Williams. "Witnessing our youth celebrate another step toward their freedom is truly an inspiration. The journey to this point has been very challenging for our community. We will encounter new challenges as we continue to navigate our way to the effective date of our treaty. Overcoming those challenges will define us as Tla'amin. There is much work to do in our community as we prepare for our independence from the Indian Act."

The Tla'amin Nation is the eighth First Nation to witness the introduction of their treaty legislation in the B.C. legislature under the B.C. treaty process. The other seven are Tsawwassen First Nation, the five Maa-nulth First Nations and the Yale First Nation, which must still be ratified by Canada. B.C. continues to make steady progress toward finalizing treaties with First Nations.

"The Tla'amin Final Agreement is an extraordinary instrument for the Tla'amin people to create a better future for their families and future generations as a self-governing community," said Chong. "Every British Columbian benefits when individual communities are strong and local economies thrive - that's what a treaty does and what the Tla'amin treaty will do."

The Tla'amin Final Agreement includes self-government provisions and phases out tax exemptions. The treaty will provide Tla'amin with a capital transfer of approximately $29.7 million, paid in 10 annual payments; economic development funding of approximately $6.9 million and a Fishing Vessel Fund of $0.25 million; and more than 8,000 hectares of treaty land owned in fee simple, consisting of approximately 1,900 hectares of former Tla'amin Indian reserve land and 6,405 hectares of former provincial Crown land.

The Final Agreement clearly defines Tla'amin First Nation's ownership and management of mineral, forestry and other resources on treaty settlement lands. The Final Agreement also defines Tla'amin's rights related to fishing, gathering and harvesting.

The Tla'amin Nation membership ratified the treaty in July. Tla'amin Nation is made up of a little more than 1,000 members, and is located near Powell River. Negotiations toward this treaty began in 1994.

Once the Tla'amin Nation Treaty Settlement Legislation has been debated, and if passed by provincial legislators, settlement legislation also must be approved by the Parliament of Canada. The treaty will take effect on a date to be determined by the parties.

Quick Facts:

• There are approximately 120 lots held under lease between private citizens and Tla'amin.

• Non-members currently living on reserve land would be living on treaty settlement lands when the treaty takes effect.

• Post-treaty, all existing arrangements between the First Nation and the leaseholders will continue. The treaty will not affect the contractual relationship between the parties.

• The treaty identifies the Tla'amin obligations to non-members, including consultation and access to appeal and review processes.

• Tla'amin laws would operate on Tla'amin lands concurrently with federal and provincial laws, similar to other jurisdictions in Canada.

Learn More:

For more information about the Tla'amin Final Agreement, please visit:
http://www.gov.bc.ca/arr/firstnation/sliammon/default.html

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contacts:

Mike Morton
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
250 588-8380

Robin Platts
Communications Manager
Mark Brennae
Communications Director
Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
250 387-1204

Grace Adams
Tla'amin Nation
604 483-8146

BACKGROUNDER

Treaty will provide certainty on the land base

Tla'amin Nation Treaty Settlement Legislation The Tla'amin Final Agreement Act is made up of three components: core provisions, consequential amendments, and a schedule to the bill.

• Core provisions ratify and give the force of law to the Final Agreement.

• Consequential amendments make necessary changes to other provincial statutes in order to give effect to commitments in the Final Agreement.

• The schedule to the bill contains the Tla'amin Final Agreement, including its appendices.

B.C. Treaty Process

B.C.'s treaty process brings together First Nations and the provincial and federal governments to establish certainty over rights to Crown land and resources through the negotiation of treaties. As well as improving the quality of life for Aboriginal people, treaties encourage investment, create jobs and expand economic opportunities for families and communities throughout the province through increased certainty on the land and economic opportunities.

Modern treaty negotiations are facilitated through the B.C. Treaty Commission and go through a six-stage process, which was established in 1992:

• Stage 1: Statement of Intent to Negotiate

• Stage 2: Readiness to Negotiate

• Stage 3: Negotiation of a Framework Agreement

• Stage 4: Negotiation of An Agreement in Principle

• Stage 5: Negotiation to Finalize a Treaty

• Stage 6: Implementation of the Treaty

In addition to the eight First Nations that have now witnessed the introduction of their treaty legislation in the B.C. legislature under the B.C. treaty process, there is the Nisga'a Nation treaty that took effect in 2000 and was negotiated outside of the B.C. treaty process.

In order to move to the final stage, Implementation or Stage 6, a treaty first must be ratified by the First Nation, the provincial government and the Canadian government.

Media Contacts:

Mike Morton
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
250 588-8380

Robin Platts
Communications Manager
Mark Brennae
Communications Director
Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
250 387-1204

Grace Adams
Tla'amin Nation
604 483-8146