BC Treaty Commission: New Publication Celebrates Good Government

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Sept. 27, 2011) - The Treaty Commission will distribute its newest publication Ayjoomixw at the UBCM convention this week to encourage better intergovernmental relationships between First Nations and local governments.

"The Sliammon First Nation and Powell River experience over the past eight years is instructive for First Nations, and local and regional governments that want to improve relationships within their regions," said Commissioner Jerry Lampert.

The publication tells the story of a sea walk that once divided Sliammon First Nation and the City of Powell River and then became the catalyst for an intergovernmental agreement. The agreement is intended to bring economic and social benefits to the First Nation and Powell River.

The City of Powell River handed over $1.6 million budget for the sea walk project to the Sliammon First Nation in 2002 after city workers disturbed cultural sites including petroglyphs and shell middens.

In June 2004, Sliammon First Nation and Powell River signed a protocol agreement to protect and promote the culture and heritage of the region and to explore joint economic ventures.

Today, the Sliammon First Nation flag flies alongside the flags of Powell River and British Columbia at a city landmark and in city council chambers and government-to-government discussion are held six times a year. As of April 2011, there is a BC transit route to Sliammon village and a water line may someday link the two communities.

Sliammon First Nation has about 1,000 citizens and is located near Powell River (traditionally known as Ayoomixw, meaning 'good, clear ground.') on the Sunshine Coast. The Tla'amin people have inhabited the region since time immemorial, with archaeological evidence proving village sites existed more than 4,000 year ago.

"In the west we all live next to an Indian reserve... the well-being of aboriginal communities is inextricably linked to ours," says Powell River Mayor Stewart Alsgard in the publication Ayjoomix.

To view Ayjoomixw, please visit the following link: http://bctreaty.net/files/pdf_documents/Powell-River-Sliammon-Experience.pdf