"With the initialing last week of the first urban treaty at Tsawwassen, and the first multi-tribe treaty on the west coast of Vancouver Island, the movement towards treaty settlements across the province now has a momentum that appears unstoppable.

I still have trouble believing that it�s happening, and so quickly. But now that a series of aboriginal communities have committed to throwing off the shackles of the Indian Act and taking control of their own future, many others will surely follow.

The dollar figures in these treaty deals are mind-boggling. Taking land values into account, the settlement for 2,000 Maa-Nulth people living along the west coast of Vancouver Island has been estimated at as much as half-a-billion dollars. And that�s not the end for that region, with the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nation still at the bargaining table.

Can B.C. afford the billions that it�s going to cost to settle the 57 treaties now in process, and more that may come to the table once they see the results that can be gained? I put that question to Premier Gordon Campbell after the first of this year�s final agreements was reached, with the Lheidli T'enneh near Prince George.

�We can�t afford not to do it,� Campbell replied."

Get the Story:
Treaty momentum gathering plenty of steam (The Vernon Morning Star 12/13)

Relevant Links:
B.C. Treaty Commission - http://www.bctreaty.net

Related Stories:
Traditional chief opposes treaty with British Columbia (11/9)
First Nation reaches treaty with British Columbia (10/31)
Three First Nations said to be close to treaties (9/28)