One of the area's largest First Nations has signed a pre-treaty agreement with the provincial government. It focuses on forestry and eco-tourism opportunities.
Due to the complexities and long time lines involved in reaching an Aboriginal treaty, plus the federal government in the mix, the province and First Nations frequently make interim deals on issues connected to the two sides exclusively. The Lake Babine Nation or LBN (located in and around Burns Lake and Babine Lake) first signed a statement of intent in 1994 aimed at reaching an eventual treaty. This week they signed an incremental treaty agreement (ITA) to cover the interim while an overarching treaty is still under negotiation.
"The agreement not only supports economic development for the First Nation, but also demonstrates some of the benefits of treaty in advance of a final agreement," said B.C.'s Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation John Rustad, also the MLA for the Lake Babine Nation.
"The new forestry and tourism opportunities that this ITA creates will not only benefit Lake Babine Nation, but also Burns Lake and other nearby communities."
According to federal government data, LBN has a population of about 2,400 people. Although reduced in numbers by colonial disease (smallpox especially devastated their numbers from about 10,000 people in the early 1900s), they are still one of the five largest First Nations in the province. They are the Stage 4 level in their treaty negotiations with both the province and the federation.
"This [interim arrangement] is not a treaty," said elected chief Wilf Oputt Adams.
"It's an agreement that B.C. will transfer some Crown land back to LBN until LBN and both governments come up with a treaty, if ever. This agreement is with B.C. only as Canada chose to stay out of it. In the Canadian constitution, B.C. has the power over land issues so B.C. came up with a plan a few years ago to deal with First Nations on land issues for those who are near treaties. I can tell you that LBN is not near and close to any treaty with Canada or B.C. I have known some people in government and got them to talk about an ITA with us."
Adams said the agreement was only signed with B.C. following input from LBN hereditary chiefs, and only on points that helped the economy of LBN.
"Since it takes time to reach a treaty, we need to use and protect our lands," said Adams. "This agreement will provide economic benefits to our citizens. We must use all measures to protect and best use our lands, and this arrangement will be a positive move."
This ITA transfers four parcels of Crown land to Lake Babine Nation, and also $100,000 in capacity funding to help develop these opportunities. One of the parcels contains the Lake Babine Lodge, an existing resort situated on the shores of Babine Lake. The taxation that was once paid to the province by the lodge managers will now be paid to LBN.
"The other parcels will provide forestry opportunities, and the lakefront properties could be leased as recreation properties," said Rustad, who added that tentative agreements were also reached on other parcels of Crown land that will be secured for the Lake Babine Nation should they advance to a treaty.
"This agreement provides economic development opportunities for Lake Babine Nation and gives the community a sense of the benefits they would see through treaty," Rustad said. "The new forestry and tourism opportunities that this ITA creates will not only benefit Lake Babine Nation, but also Burns Lake and other nearby communities."
This ITA is the 15th such agreement struck between our provincial government and our First Nations.
