The last few months have seen growing momentum for the provincial treaty process. The ground-breaking developments the Province has achieved with First Nations and Aboriginal organizations are due to the strength of our New Relationship which is based on respect, recognition and reconciliation.

We are working with First Nations to develop a Recognition and Reconciliation Act that will establish a new statutory framework to build relationships and provide greater certainty for economic development. This legislation would recognize Aboriginal rights and title. The First Nations Summit, the BC Assembly of First Nations and Union of BC Indian Chiefs have all expressed strong support for the discussion paper on the proposed legislation. The discussion paper is now available online and I encourage everyone to read it.

We have witnessed the first signings of a brand new innovative treaty tool, the Incremental Treaty Agreement (ITA) with the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations and Klahoose First Nation which will allow these communities to enjoy shared benefits in advance of a final agreement and encourage further progress in the treaty process.
As part of the Province’s commitment to finalize negotiations we have developed bilateral agreements with First Nations. Over the past six months bilateral agreements have been signed with In-SHUCK-ch Nation and Yale First Nation. The mutual respect that has grown out of our commitment to the New Relationship has made the development and implementation of these new treaty tools possible.

Crowning these achievements, the Tsawwassen First Nation Final Agreement will come into full effect on April 3, 2009. It will be the first treaty to be ratified under the B.C. Treaty Commission process and is a powerful sign of the reconciliation between the Province and the Tsawwassen First Nation.

I encourage you to visit the Province's new website which highlights the progress we are collectively making in the New Relationship. I believe it will be an excellent resource, allowing all interested parties to keep track of our achievements as we work together to build a better future for all Aboriginal people across B.C.

In addition to our work at the treaty table, we are also celebrating Aboriginal achievements and culture. The success of the inaugural Aboriginal Business Awards highlighted the outstanding business acumen of First Nations across B.C. The recently announced 2010 First Nations Pavilion will showcase the heritage and culture of the Four Host First Nations.

I am proud of the work all our partners have done to get us to this point- a place where we are making real progress in the treaty process and working together to develop more creative mechanisms for negotiations.

The New Relationship will continue to provide the momentum to take us to a place where we can all live together in respect, recognition and reconciliation.

Honourable Michael de Jong
Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation

Minister's Webpage