FVTAC Table Representative: Director Al Stobbart
SXTA Chief Negotiators: Chief Joe Hall, Jean Teillet
Canada Senior Negotiator: Brian McKenney
BC Chief Negotiator: Catherine Panter
In late 2002, Sto:lo Nation returned to the treaty process after a lengthy hiatus. Negotiations continued sporadically throughout 2003 and the first half of 2004. The focus was initially on identifying and agreeing upon appropriate processes to ensure the parties could stay engaged in substantive discussions, even when areas of disagreement were reached. In early 2004, negotiations focused on Eligibility and Enrolment, Vital Statistics, Dispute Resolution, Culture and Heritage and Wildlife. A Parks and Protected Areas interest paper was also tabled for discussion. Progress of negotiations was very slow.
In mid 2004 eight bands split from the Sto:lo Nation and formed the Sto:lo Tribal Council, led by Clarence Pennier as President and Tyrone McNeil as Vice President. Treaty negotiations have been put on hold while the two organizations work with the BC Treaty Commission to resolve the issues of:
- splitting the past loan funding repayment obligations between the two factions
- establishing a new internal government system
- establishing new Statement of Intent areas for each organization
- establishing new loan funding for those First Nations or groups of First Nations that may wish to proceed with treaty negotiations
STO:LO XWEXWILMEXW TREATY ASSOCIATION (SXTA)
On May2, 2006 the Sto:lo Nation indicated their desire to return to the treaty table and submitted an amended Statement of Intent. The Sto:lo Xwexwilmexw Treaty Association (SXTA) was incorporated in 2007 on behalf of the seven St:lo First Nations who have agreed to move ahead with treaty. SXTA includes the following communities: Aitchelitz, Leq'á:mel, Popkum, Skawahlook, Skowkale, Tzeachten, and Yakweakwioose.
Sto:lo Xwexwilmexw Treaty Vision Statement