Lheidli T’enneh initial Treaty and will hold a vote this June

A historical agreement has taken place in Prince George.

Negotiators for the Government of Canada, the Province of B.C., and the Lheidli T’enneh initialed the updated 2006 final agreement, which has been newly named as the Lheidli T’enneh treaty.

The treaty provides Lheidli T’enneh with rights and benefits regarding land and resources, and self-government that includes:

• 4,330 hectares of treaty settlement lands, known as Lheidli T’enneh Lands;
• $37.10 million capital transfer;
• $502,000 per year for 50 years in resource revenue sharing (indexed to inflation);
• $2.29 million per year in ongoing funding for services such as health, education and social development, and for governance activities (indexed to inflation);
• $15 million in one-time funding for implementation, fisheries and capacity building;
• $1.69 million in one-time funding for an economic development fund;
• $100,000 annually for a community development officer;
  The treaty protects the rights of Lheidli T’enneh citizens to hunt, fish and gather throughout defined traditional harvest areas.

Chief Dominic Frederick says this is creating a better future between government and first nations.

“We are moving forward with our future for our community that will create a good future for our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.”

The treaty provides a capital transfer of $37.1 million, which is an additional $20.8 million to the Host First Nation compared to the 2006 agreement.

“This really is about decolonization and moving forward in that process,” says Joe Wild, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Treatie and Aboriginal Government. “This is with the courage of communities like this who have done the hard work to figure out who they are as a people and where they see their self determination taking them, with us being there to support them in what ever form that takes.”

Members will now go to a ratification vote, which will require a 50% approval, starting June 16th and 17th.

“Vote with your heart,” added Chief Frederick.

“Exercise your democratic right to vote as an individual and do what is right.”

The Lheidli T’enneh will hold community gatherings leading up to the vote and talk to people about the agreement and answer any questions they may have.