The treaty negotiating team for the Gitxsan First Nation of British Columbia is seeking to relinquish the band's Indian status in order to gain more control of its traditional territory.

The team wants the band to be treated like any other municipal government in Canada. The Gitxsan would give up government funding, tax exemptions and other attributes associated with First Nations.

In exchange, the band wants a one-time cash payment, some land and a share of the resources within its aboriginal territory. The resources would be managed by hereditary chiefs.

The treaty team will meet with Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl next month to discuss the idea. According to The Globe and Mail, the band's elected council has not endorsed the proposal.

Get the Story:
Native tribe will petition Ottawa to remove its Indian status (The Globe and Mail 11/9)

Relevant Documents:
Alternative Governance Model “Gitxsan Reconciliation (Gitxsan Treaty Team)