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Rival territory claims will not delay Lheidli T'enneh agreement

Lheidli T'enneh Chief Dominic Frederick said he plans to work on strengthening relationships with two neighbouring First Nations, but that this work will not stop the ratification of a recently reached treaty agreement with the provincial and federal
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This map shows the traditional territory claimed by the Lheidli T’enneh (in blue) and the territory claimed by the Simpcw First Nation (in red).

Lheidli T'enneh Chief Dominic Frederick said he plans to work on strengthening relationships with two neighbouring First Nations, but that this work will not stop the ratification of a recently reached treaty agreement with the provincial and federal governments.

Two First Nations, the Simpcw First Nation and the McLeod Lake Indian Band, have issued public statements expressing dismay over related overlapping territory with the Lheidli T'enneh. Both nations have suggested the ratification should be delayed until territorial issues are resolved.

Although it is common for the traditional territory of neighbouring First Nations to overlap, the new Lheidli T'enneh treaty may complicate matters; Simpcw Chief Nathan Matthew has said the treaty agreement would allow Lheidli T'enneh to have more of a say in decisions related to run of the river hydro projects, resort development and regulation of traditional fishing and hunting on their traditional territory.

In an interview with The Citizen on Tuesday, Matthew stated he has not seen evidence of traditional ties of the Lheidli T'enneh to lands claimed by the Simpcw. The traditional territory claimed by the Simpcw Nation extends from Barriere to the south up to Grand Cache, Alta. to the north, and from Jasper in the east to McBride in the west.

Under the agreement, Lheidli T'enneh traditional fishing and hunting rights would extend over a territory from Prince George to the Alberta border along the Fraser River.

The agreement would also see the Lheidli T'enneh own 4,300 acres of land and receive a capital transfer of $37 million.

Frederick said he had met with representatives from the Simpcw First Nation several times.

He said that the Simpcw have a valid claim in the area of Tete Jaune, and that a settlement of members of the nation were forcibly displaced by the Canadian government in 1916.

But Frederick also said evidence of Lheidli T'enneh ties to the same areas along the Fraser River was equally strong.

"It's pretty much the same evidence as how they gather their evidence," Frederick said.

"We also have a write-up from one of their members, their elders stating that (the Lheidli T'enneh) were there during the days the railroad was going through. Their elder was interviewed. It's written in the paper, that it was borrowed - they were just borrowing the territory from the Fort George Band."

The Lheidli T'enneh were known historically as the Fort George Band.

Frederick said the Lheidli T'enneh treaty would not preclude a future memorandum of understanding between his nation and neighbouring nations to resolve outstanding issues. He also said an MOU was pursued between the Simpcw and the Lheidli T'enneh, but has so far been unresolved.

"We're willing to change the boundaries of our territory just to help (the Sempcw)," Frederick said. "But, you know, the Fraser River - in history all nations go by the highest mountain in the valleys. The valley of the Fraser River belongs to the Lheidli T'enneh. We've also nurtured the fish right from the beginning, that's the way it's always been."

Frederick said the Lheidli T'enneh have also had a good relationship with the McLeod Lake Indian Band in the past. Whether the new treaty was ratified or not, issues of overlap in traditional territories will still need to be resolved, he said.

Frederick said the negotiation of the current tentative agreement with the province and the federal government has taken significant time and effort. Negotiations began over 20 years ago. As a result, he said, a delay of an implementation vote, planned for next month was "not going to happen."

Frederick said the nation has worked hard to build a relationship with the City of Prince George and the Regional District of Fraser Fort George in order to help the community. He said he wanted members of Lheidli T'enneh Nation to understand the proposed treaty agreement was an important milestone.

"I think it's important for the community to understand that it's a one-time thing. If you don't do it now, then you're never going to do it. You're never going to get another chance to get away from the (Department of) Indian Affairs and the Indian Act," he said. "Own your own lands, actually and have control of it. That's a big thing."

A vote of members of the Lheidli T'enneh is planned for June 16-23. Members or individuals with ancestral ties to the nation can call 778-693-2980 or email tseymour@lheidli.ca to find out about enrolling to vote.