Treaty Commission Congratulates Parties on Te'Mexw Agreement-In-Principle Signing

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - April 10, 2015) - April 9, 2015 marks an important day for the five communities that make up the Te'Mexw Treaty Association, and for Canada and British Columbia. The Treaty Commission congratulates the southern Vancouver Island communities of Malahat, Scia'new (Beecher Bay), Snaw-naw-AS (Nanoose), Songhees and T'sou-ke (Sooke), and the federal and provincial governments, for signing an Agreement-in-Principle (AiP).

"This AiP is an excellent example of the real progress that is being made in the treaty negotiations process," said Acting Chief Commissioner Celeste Haldane, who attended the signing ceremony in Victoria yesterday.

The Te'Mexw Treaty Association now joins In-SHUCK-ch, K'ómoks, and Yekooche First Nations in Stage 5 of the BC treaty negotiations process, which is the last stage leading to the completion of a modern treaty. Combined they represent nine Indian Act Bands that are negotiating final agreements.

Te'Mexw is a multi-community First Nation with complex land issues. Signing this AiP demonstrates that the treaty negotiations process works even in the most challenging environment. "This is a momentous occasion, and an example of how the constitutional imperative to answer the land question in BC can be accomplished through the treaty negotiations process," added Acting Chief Commissioner Celeste Haldane.

Quick Facts

• As of April 9, 2015 there are 4 First Nations, representing 9 Indian Act Bands, in Stage 5 of the BC treaty negotiations process.
• There are 8 completed treaties (the five Maa-nulth, Tsawwassen, Tla'amin and Yale First Nations).
• An additional 3 First Nations, representing 7 Indian Act Bands, have finalized their AiPs and are in the process of approval. They are: the Northern Shuswap Tribal Council (NStQ), Kitselas and Kitsumkalum (Tsimshian First Nations) and Wuikinuxv.
• There are 65 First Nations, representing over half of all Indian Act Bands in BC, which are participating in or have completed treaties through the treaty negotiations process.
• Active or completed negotiations involve 47 First Nations, representing 83 Indian Act Bands, totalling 41% of all Indian Act Bands in BC.

About the BC Treaty Commission:

The Treaty Commission is the independent body responsible for overseeing treaty negotiations among the governments of Canada, BC and First Nations in BC. It has three roles: facilitation, funding, and public information and education. Visit www.bctreaty.ca to learn more about the Treaty Commission.