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 Province has completed several agreements with First Nations in B.C. that create the opportunity for comprehensive and lasting reconciliation:

• Snuneymuxw First Nation Reconciliation Agreement (PDF, 5.6MB) – Signed March 26, 2013, the agreement creates economic opportunities to the Snuneymuxw through the transfer of three land parcels in the Mount Benson area. The agreement also transfers a culturally significant property in Departure Bay. Along with increasing certainty in the Nanaimo region, the agreement also includes an engagement protocol.

• Musqueam Reconciliation, Settlement and Benefits Agreement (PDF, 2.45MB) – settled three court cases with the Musqueam Indian Band through a negotiated agreement that transfers ownership of a parcel of land and provides cash for future economic activities.

• Coastal First Nations Amended Reconciliation Protocol – November 2011 (PDF, 7.20MB) – The Haisla Nation become the seventh First Nation to sign the Coastal First Nations Reconciliation Protocol, which will create economic opportunities for their communities and increase certainty over the coastal land base for First Nations, industry and government. view map (PDF, 4.62MB)

• Haida Reconciliation Protocol - Kunst'aa Guu – Kunst'aayah (PDF, 430KB) – establishes a unique shared decision making process at the strategic level for resource use, provides a share of resource revenues including carbon offsets and a community forest tenure and the opportunity to purchase additional forest tenures.
  
  
• Nanwakolas First Nations Reconciliation Protocol (PDF, 9.94 MB) will create new partnerships on Vancouver Island and the mid-coast, create economic opportunities and strengthen the relationship between the First Nations and the provincial government.
  
  
• The Nanwakolas First Nations and B.C. have completed a comprehensive forestry schedule: Nanwakolas First Nations Reconciliation Protocol Amendment (PDF, 10.4MB)

• Gitanyow Huwilp Recognition and Reconciliation Agreement: (PDF, 11.72 MB) This agreement establishes a Joint Resources Governance Forum that will create a one-window approach to consultations and decision-making for potential development in an area covering 6,285 square kilometres in northwest British Columbia. It will also allow the Gitanyow to explore economic opportunities associated with the development of the Northwest Transmission Line and protect areas important to the Gitanyow's traditional way of life.

• Tseycum First Nation West Saanich Road Reconciliation Agreement (PDF, 288KB) Under the agreement, B.C. will provide the Tseycum with $200,000. This includes $150,000 for the Journey Home Cemetery and the re-internment of Tseycum First Nation ancestors. It also provides make $50,000 capacity funding for further reconciliation efforts.

In addition to these reconciliation agreements, 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 Province has been working in partnership with First Nations through a range of mechanisms such as joint land-use agreements, revenue sharing, and economic benefits which directly benefit communities right across the province.

Discussions continue with the First Nations Leadership Council and First Nations around the province to determine the way forward on our journey to reconciliation.

Listen to Lieutenant Governor Steven Point at Government House explain the importance of reconciliation.