Coast Salish Territory/ Vancouver, BC – The First Nations Summit congratulates Chief Kim Baird and the members of the Tsawwassen First Nation for reaching their agreement and the milestone introduction of Tsawwassen First Nation Treaty Settlement legislation in the BC Legislature.
However in the attached open statement, the First Nations Summit leaders caution that reaching further settlement agreements is in serious jeopardy unless the federal and provincial governments change their negotiating mandates and commit to act with integrity and in good faith in further negotiations, to ensure the recognition of aboriginal title and rights.
The First Nations Summit also highlighted the need to resolve overlaps, such as that with the Douglas Treaty First Nations and Tsawwassen, before moving towards a final agreement. The Summit further noted that government must acknowledge the unique elements of each agreement and should not attempt to use one agreement as a template for other negotiations.