Just weeks after a blockade halted the Tla’amin Nation from voting on a treaty with the B.C. government, the First Nation has voted “yes” to the treaty.
Mary Polak, aboriginal relations and reconciliation minister, welcomed the vote result.
“This vote is a milestone in the journey to a treaty that will bring many benefits to the community and see Tla’amin become a full, self-governing treaty.”
On June 16, a group of Tla’amin members blocked the doors to a polling station in Sliammon village near Powell River, halting an earlier vote.
Of 615 community members registered on the official voters list, 318 voted in favour of ratification, 235 voted against, 61 voters did not vote and one ballot was spoiled.
With the “yes” vote, the Tla’amin Final Agreement will go to the provincial legislature for ratification and then to federal Parliament to be ratified.
Polak said the vote result is a positive sign for B.C.’s treaty negotiation efforts.
“This [vote result] is a clear sign that the treaty process is alive and well, and a ‘yes’ outcome to the vote helps build momentum in negotiations across B.C.,” she said.
