The coming year will be one of continued progress towards recognition of Indigenous rights and title. This will create tremendous opportunities for governments and the business community to build lasting partnerships with Indigenous peoples, and move beyond impact benefit and short-term agreements.
Treaties will have an important part in this progress towards recognition. The year 2018 will also be when we finally put the nail in the coffin of extinguishment, including any remnants of the concept such as calling a treaty a “full and final settlement.” The ultimate goal of treaties is to “establish a new relationship based on mutual trust, respect, and understanding,” as envisioned in the Report of the British Columbia Claims Task Force that set up the treaty negotiations process in 1991. For that to happen, treaties must be based on the recognition of Indigenous rights and title.
As I reflect on my first year as chief commissioner of the BC Treaty Commission, and look ahead to what 2018 holds for treaty negotiations in the province, I am optimistic. Never, other than perhaps when the treaty negotiations process was launched in 1992, has political will from all sides aligned in a way that makes reconciliation possible.
This includes acknowledging the potential for modern treaties to follow the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
The treaty commission believes that modern treaties, fairly negotiated and honourably implemented, are the best means to implement the UN declaration. The declaration can – and should – be built directly into treaties. This would result in treaty relationships based on principles of mutual recognition, mutual respect and shared responsibility.
There are many of these opportunities for reconciliation and shared prosperity in B.C. Our recent annual report focused on this, because when a First Nation becomes self-determining with a modern treaty, the surrounding region prospers, including local, regional and international businesses.
Fourteen negotiations involving 32 Indian Act bands are in advanced stages. Six of these First Nations are multi--community, with several Indian Act bands coming together to build their vision of nationhood.
Completion of several of these treaties is possible within the next two years. These negotiations are at the forefront of reconciliation and are the best opportunities for B.C. and Canada.
The First Nations in advanced treaty negotiations have done the hard work of nation-building and are ready for self-governance. They have spent the necessary time building capacity, solidifying a vision for their futures, building institutions and writing constitutions. Canada and British Columbia have a responsibility to conclude negotiations to enable the shared prosperity that results from a modern treaty.
Although much of this requires commitment from government, the public also plays an active role in reconciliation. I challenge you to consider what you will do in 2018 to advance reconciliation in your region. Educating yourself and others about reconciliation, building relationships and creating partnerships are a few ways to start.
This is an important moment in our country’s history. Collectively, we need to work towards the best possible outcome – a prosperous future for all British Columbians. •
Celeste Haldane is chief commissioner of the BC Treaty Commission.
