About 300 Native protesters marched to the British Columbia Legislature on Monday to oppose the treaty negotiation process.
Protesters said the process strips Native people of their rights. B.C. never negotiated treaties, leaving land, natural resource and other issues unresolved.
Inside the Legislature, it was a different story. Kim Baird, the chief of the Tsawwassen First Nation, spoke in support of the treaty her 300-member band recently approved.
The Tsawwassen will receive $40 million, a share of the Fraser River salmon catch, about 919 acres of land and $16 million in government programs. The total value of the deal is about $120 million. Band members will give up their tax exempt status as part of the deal.
The treaty is expected to win approval from lawmakers. It is the first to be negotiated under the B.C. treaty process..
Get the Story:B.C. treaty opponents rally outside legislature (CBC 10/15)
Historic aboriginal treaty an act of compromise by all sides, says chief (CP 10/15) Relevant Links:
Tsawwassen First Nation - http://www.tsawwassenfirstnation.com
Union of BC Indian Chiefs - http://www.ubcic.bc.ca
B.C. Treaty Commission - http://www.bctreaty.net
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