Reconciliation - Moving Forward
In 2005 the Province and the First Nations Leadership Council entered into a New Relationship based on respect, recognition and accommodation of aboriginal title and rights; respect for each others’ laws and responsibilities; and for the reconciliation of Aboriginal and Crown titles and jurisdictions.
The New Relationship has produced positive outcomes on many fronts:
- Six First Nations have completed final treaty agreements in the last two years and several other First Nations are working towards final agreements.
- B.C. is the first Canadian province to introduced Incremental Treaty Agreements as a way of helping First Nations on the road to treaty.
- The B.C. government has been working in partnership with First Nations through a range of mechanisms such as joint land-use agreements, revenue sharing, economic benefits agreements and reconciliation agreements to benefit communities right across the province.
Through the Transformative Change Accord we have seen real progress that is making a difference in Aboriginal communities. We have developed the First Nations Health Plan, and implemented education agreements that are playing a key role in closing the socio-economic gaps and providing a positive future for Aboriginal youth.
Discussions continue with the First Nations Leadership Council and First Nations around the province to determine the way forward on our journey to reconciliation.
