B.C. First Nation rejects treaty

PRINCE GEORGE — A British Columbia First Nation has voted against a treaty proposal from the B.C. and Canadian governments that would have included self-government and more than 43 square kilometres of land.

Five weeks of balloting on two questions wrapped up Saturday with members of the Prince Georgebased Lheidli T’enneh First Nation voting 185 to 137 against the treaty.

Along with the land, which included about 11 square kilometres within the City of Prince George, the treaty offered a lump-sum payment of $37.1 million, resource revenue sharing, operational funding and $16.7 million to implement the pact.

None of these benefits is available without the treaty, but a news release from the First Nation says its Aboriginal rights to hunt, fish and gather will continue within its 43,000-square-kilometre traditional territory stretching from Vanderhoof east to the Alberta boundary.

In a separate vote, Lheidli T’enneh members also narrowly rejected a proposed constitution, which would have removed the First Nation from the Indian Act and established selfgovernment.

Band Chief Dominic Frederick says the result of both votes is disappointing, but he intends to honour the wishes of the people.

“We must now try and move forward with the limited resources and opportunities available while we remain under the Indian Act.