First Nation rejects treaty, self-government

PRINCE GEORGE — A British Columbia First Nation 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 George-based Lheidli T’enneh First Nation voting 185 to 137 against the treaty.

Along with the land, which included about 11 square kilometres within 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 the benefits are available without the treaty but a release from the First Nation said its Aboriginal rights to hunt, fish and gather will continue within its 43,000-sq.-km 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 self-government.

Band Chief Dominic Frederick said 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. Regardless of this outcome, we are here to stay,” Frederick said.

A vote of 50 per cent plus one was required for the treaty to pass.

It has been under negotiation since 1993 and members voted on it for the first time in 2007, narrowly accepting the constitution and self-government portion, but refusing the provisions containing the lump sum payment, land and resource proposals.

That led to an extensive internal review and members of the First Nation resolved to resume negotiations, leading to the latest result.

Scott Fraser, B.C.’s minister of Indigenous relations and reconciliation, says the province will continue to work with Lheidli T’enneh on the issues of reconciliation and self-determination.