TREATY NEGOTIATIONS

FVTAC Table Representative:      Councillor Allan Jackson
In-SHUCK-ch Nation Negotiator:  Gerard Peters (EPPA)
Canada Chief Negotiator:  Bill Dymond
BC Chief Negotiator:  Trevor Proverbs

In-SHUCK-ch Nation signs bilateral understanding with Province

The Province and In-SHUCK-ch Nation have completed their negotiations toward a treaty and on March 16, 2009 initalled an agreement of understanding on the substantive issues of a final agreement.  BC and In-SHUCK-ch have reached an agreement on all elements that fall within provincial jurisdiction, including provincial Crown lands and many governance authorities.  Treaty discussions will continue between the In-SHUCK-ch Nation and Canada with the purpose of resolving outstanding issues. 

Province and In-SHUCK-ch Nation Sign Agreement in Principle (AiP)

The provincial government and the In-SHUCK-ch Nation signed an Agreement-in-Principle (AiP) on October 28, 2006. 

The In-SHUCK-ch Nation represents 907 members from the Douglas First Nation, Samahquam Nation and Skatin First Nations.  In-SHUCK-ch has been negotiating an AiP with the provincial and federal governments since April 2002.   The agreement sets the foundation for a final agreement with provisions on land, capital transfer, resources, culture and governance.  The AiP provides for a treaty land offer of 14,577 hectares and a cash offer of $21 million, which will assist with developing business capacity and economic opportunities in the region.

INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS

Aside from tremendous progress at the treaty table, the In-SHUCK-ch First Nation and the FVRD have been actively engaged in building government to government relations.  

A Memorandum of Understanding and Protocol Agreement has been drafted and endorsed by the FVRD Board of Directors.  The agreement lays out principles of co-operation, shared values, key interests and the parties’ intentions regarding communications and consultation.  A formal signing of this agreement by all parties took place on June 15th 2005 at a Community to Community Forum hosted jointly by the FVRD and the In-SHUCK-ch Nation.  Planning for another Community to Community Forum is underway as a next step in the intergovernmental relations process.

The Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) and the IN-SHUCK-ch Nation co-hosted a very successful Regional Community to Community Forum, February 28th, 2007 at the Leq’a:mel Community Hall in Deroche.   The assembly was treated to presentations of the governance/
organizational structure of the In-SHUCK-ch Nation, historical stories and cultural activities, all frequently interspersed with dancing and drumming presentations.  The day culminated with a gift exchange between FVRD Board Chair Clint Hames and Chiefs Keith Smith, Patrick Williams and Councillor Jane Sam of the In-SHUCK-ch communities of Samahquam, Skatin, and Douglas, respectively.