Seven First Nations in various stages of self-government are lobbying the provincial government – whomever that may be following next week's election – to admit them to the municipal financing authority so they can access low-cost loans for building roads and other public infrastructure.
The group includes the Tsawwassen First Nation, one of the few in B.C. to be fully self-governing under a new treaty.
The others are the Huu-ay-aht, Ka:'yu:'k't'h/Chek'tles7et'h', Toquaht, Uchucklesaht and Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ, and Tla'Amin – all of whom are in various stages of becoming self governing.
Unlike municipal governments, self-governing First Nations who are no longer under the Indian Act can't access low-cost financing for public works projects, like roads, sewers and power.
"Our challenge is that we, as self-governing First Nations, don't have access to low-cost public infrastructure financing for our communities," Tla'amin Chief Clint Williams said in a press release.
"Indian Act First Nations can access the First Nations Finance Authority (FNFA), and municipalities in B.C. can access the Municipal Finance Authority. But we don't have access to either one, and it is impeding our ability to build important services for our communities."
The seven First Nations either want the BC Treaty First Nation Taxation Act amended to grant them access to FNFA financing, or admission to the Municipal Financing Authority.
"We're not asking for a free ride," Williams said. "We are committed to operating as governments with all of the finance, service and tax requirements that go with that."
