First Nations community looks to regain independence

"Our independence is our survival."

This is the motto for Binche, a small First Nation community situated on Stuart Lake, just outside of Fort St. James.

That motto is being put into practice as Binche commits to separating from a neighbouring Tl'azt'en community, Tachie, in order to regain its independence.

Binche is now waiting for Canada's deputy minister to set a day of referendum and once approved, a ministerial order will be issued, creating a new band.

The community of Binche wants to correct a 'historical mistake' committed by the Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, previously the Department of Indian Affairs, which led to a merging of Binche, Tachie, Middle River and Portage/Yekooche (now independent) in 1959.

"Historically, we are one nation," said Pete Erickson, separation committee member and representative for Binche.

"But this is a reversal of a decision made years ago. It's not really a separation as it is being back in power. These communities were put together, but without the consent of the people."

The process of de-amalgamation was put on hold for 52 years until 2011 when Binche voted in favour of separating and forming their own nation.

A treaty was signed with the federal government prior to 1911 binding the people of Binche to use different fishing practices confirming control over their own land.

But in 1959, Binche amalgamated into the Stuart Trembleur Band, now known as Tl'az'ten Nation.

In February 2011, band members voted and a unanimous motion was approved confirming support for Binche's want for separation.

In March of the same year, Tl'azt'en Nation chief and council signed a band council resolution agreeing to enter into the process of becoming an independent nation.

And in August 2016, the recommendation for de-amalgamation was sent to Ottawa.

"Now, we just wait," Erickson said. "It's in their court now."

According to Binche, their community remains different from that of their Tachie neighbours and they see themselves as a separate Aboriginal people with their own traditional territories and different visions of the future.

For Binche, the original amalgamation no longer fits today's economy as they hope to develop one that suits their own values and reality.

"Binche has a right to choose their own future," Erickson said.

"Both Binche and Tachie developed committees to determine assets and deals."

Both separation committees based their negotiations on on three factors: fairness, traditional boundaries and mutual respect.

Issues such as health and housing have already been discussed and agreements are pending once a referendum is issued and approved.

Issues outlined in the agreement include:

- Any individual may live in either community or access if they hold a certificate of possession, traditional holding, lease or rental agreement in either community, continue to pay rent and abide by their rental agreement terms and comply with all community laws, bylaws and policies.

- Health services will not be disrupted and respective communities will need to negotiate their own health contracts prior to 2018.

- Tl'azt'en will share in the benefits received from agreements already made with other institutions such as government, non-government and other First Nations.

For Tachie, it's still too soon to tell of the long term impacts for both communities.

"It's a very brave step they have taken to initiate this," Ron Winser from Tl'azt'en Nation said.

"It will be a whole new era for Binche."

Winser sits on the separation committee for Tl'azt'en.

"My position is to make sure all I's are dotted and T's crossed, to see that the community is satisfied and make sure they are able to ask questions and have them all answered," Winser said.

"And we really want to hold community engagements so that they are aware of the terms once the referendum is passed."

Tachie, the largest of the communities, is situated 65 km north of Fort St. James at the mouth of the Tache River on Stuart Lake.

The population of Tl'azt'en Nation today is about 1,300.

Approximately 800 live in one of the main communities of Tache, Binche and Dzitl'ainli, and K'uzche.

Binche continues to wait for federal action.

Although Binche's chief and council did not participate in the creation of the division agreement due to conflict of interest issues, they will sign off on the terms of division once all questions or issues have been dealt with.

The signed agreement will not go ahead until the communities approve the terms of division in the referendum.