PORT ALBERNI - At 12.01 am on April 1, 2011 fireworks lit up the skies above the west coast of Vancouver Island and drumming and singing resonated in the night air as the leaders of the five Maa-nulth First Nations signed the laws that will lay the foundations for their future as self-governing nations.  In that auspicious moment, the communities began their celebrations as the Maa-nulth Final Agreement came into effect.

The formal Effective Date was followed by a huge community celebration in Port Alberni on April 2, attended by the Chiefs, Elders and community members of the five First Nations, Huu-ay-aht, Uchucklesaht, Toquaht, Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h and Yu??u?i??ath?  (formerly Ucluelet First Nation) and honoured guests, including B.C. Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Mary Polak.

Quick Facts:

• The Maa-nulth Treaty is the first modern day treaty on Vancouver Island and the second under the B.C. Treaty Process.  The first was the Tsawwassen First Nation Treaty which took effect in April 2009.
• The Maa-nulth Treaty removes the five Maa-nulth First Nations from the Indian Act to become self governing communities with the social and economic tools to better support their families and communities.
• The treaty provides the Maa-nulth First Nations with payments, settlements and other funds to help build their future. These include a capital transfer of $73.1 million and 24,550 hectares of treaty settlement land.
• The five Maa-nulth First Nations are located on the west coast of Vancouver Island.

Learn More at:

Maa-nulth First Nations 
http://www.treaties.gov.bc.ca/treaties_maa-nulth.html