Treaties 'imminent,' says First Nations leader
The head of the B.C. Treaty Commission, Miles Richardson, says the Campbell government has softened its stand on major issues such as revenue-sharing and compensation, and predicts that could lead to treaty deals.
Richardson says trust has been gained, and there now appears to be a political shift in favour of making treaties.
"In the past few months, the Treaty Commission has observed unprecedented commitment to negotiations," he says.
"Breakthroughs are possible," adds Richardson. "With political will, with leadership, I would say breakthroughs are imminent at several key lead tables."
Attorney General Geoff Plant agrees his government has become more flexible, in an effort to reach agreements.
"Doing so though clearly within the scope of the principles the public supported in the referendum, but recognizing that it's time to see if we can make some real progress at the treaty tables," he says.
Last year, the B.C. Liberals held a controversial treaty referendum on eight principles of treaty negotiations. All eight received overwhelming support.
- INDEPTH: B.C. Treaty referendum
The only B.C. treaty signed in recent years the Nisga'a Treaty came outside the current treaty process.
Meanwhile, First Nations in northwestern B.C. say Forests Minister Mike de Jong has agreed to negotiate their demand for an equal voice in forest policy - and a 50 per cent share of revenues.
The Northwest Tribal Treaty Nations call it a giant step forward in their relationship with the provincial government.
- INDEPTH: Aboriginal Canadians