Ottawa, First Nation deal a ‘new standard’
WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. • The leader of Canada’s first Indigenous group to win title to its territory says an updated agreement it’s negotiating with the federal government is part of a new model of relations between Ottawa and First Nations.
Chief Joe Alphonse, tribal council chairman for the Tsilhqot’in National Government, said the agreement is due to be signed by spring, and it will outline a financial relationship between Canada and the six First Nations his council represents in British Columbia’s central Interior.
Alphonse said previous funding models, which he described as “marginal,” no longer apply now that the Tsilhqot’in’s title land claims have been formally recognized by the courts.
“We have proven rights and we have proven title so that funding formula is not suited for Tsilhqot’in. Canada has to come up with a new formula. And whatever we do develop will be a new standard for First Nations all across the country, so it’s really essential for this government to establish that and show some leadership and demonstrate good will,” he said.
Alphonse said negotiations are just beginning and could not put a price tag on the value of the agreement, but said it will be subject to approval by the federal treasury board.
The agreement will be the next step in defining the relationship between Canada and the Tsilhqot’in, he said.
The Supreme Court of Canada recognized Aboriginal title rights for the first time in Canadian history in the homeland of the Tsilhqot’in people in 2014. It covers more than 1,750 square kilometres of land in the Chilcotin region.
While the Crown historically acquired land from many First Nations across the country by signing treaties, only 14 treaties on Vancouver Island had been signed by the time B.C. joined Confederation in 1871, and Aboriginal title to the rest of the province was left unresolved.
The process for negotiating Aboriginal land rights was established in 1992 by agreement of the province, the federal government and the First Nations Summit.
Some First Nations are in the process of negotiating modern-day treaties, but the Tsilhqot’in did not have a treaty when it won the landmark case.