To help members make an informed decision with the upcoming treaty vote, Lheidli T'enneh First Nation has created a website compiling relevant documents and dates.
"We are hopeful this website will help our members to be fully informed about the Final Agreement, prior to the second treaty vote" said Lheidli T'enneh Chief Dominic Frederick in a statement. "This is the most important decision we will ever make."
The website, www.yourvoiceourfuture.ca, will post documents like Final Agreement, the Constitution, Appendices, Side Agreements and Fact Sheets highlighting specific areas of the Final Agreement, the press release said.
In October, Lheidli T'enneh members will be voting on effectively the same agreement they rejected nearly a decade ago when they cast their ballots this fall.
There will be some modifications, as some monetary transfers are adjusted for inflation and some of the legal and technical aspects are updated.
But other than that, it's the same deal band members turned down in 2007, Nick Crisp, a negotiator with the B.C. Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation said during a presentation Tuesday to the Prince George Treaty Advisory Committee.
It drew approval from less than half those who voted, well below the 70-per-cent threshold that had been set for the proposal to pass.
The First Nation will allow mail-in ballots, which will be sent out at least 30 days before the first vote.
It may also do mobile polls, if needed.
The final count for ballots is on Oct. 22, 2016 when polls close.
The dates and locations for the Lheidli T'enneh Treaty vote are as follows:
Oct. 15, 2016 - Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society - 1607 E Hastings St., Vancouver, B.C.
Oct. 18, 2016 - Crest Hotel, 222 First Avenue, Prince Rupert, B.C.
Oct. 21, 2016 - Lheidli T'enneh Administration Office - 1041 Whenun Rd, Prince George.
Oct. 22, 2016 - Coast Inn of the North, 770 Brunswick Street, Prince George.
All polls will be open on each date from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
-- with files from Mark Nielsen
