Local Government-First Nation Treaty Agreements in B.C.

Abstract

Although there have been efforts from both federal and local governments towards reconciliation in recent times, there are very few modern treaties in B.C. An important component of reconciliation is repairing relations between the government and First Nations and treaties are an important way of doing so. Treaties according to the BC Treaty Commission are legal agreements between First Nations, and the provincial and federal government that ensures Indigenous rights and promotes reconciliation. Specifically, modern treaties can enable Indigenous self-governance, self-determination, economic sufficiency and land ownership. In 1991, BC Task Force joined and made new recommendations to improve the BC treaty process, leading to new provincial legislation about treaty-making in BC. As a result, the local government and First Nations made stronger efforts to engage in treaty negotiations across the province. Although several First Nations have participated in the treaty-making process, BC has only successfully signed seven modern treaties. Of the seven, the Tsawwassen treaty is the only treaty in an urban area. This paper aims to explore why there are so few modern treaties between the local government and First Nations in an urban context. Ultimately, this paper will draw from the Tsawwassen, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations to discuss the barriers that explain the limited number of modern treaties in BC and why some First Nations groups are reluctant to engage in treaty agreements with the local government.