Treaty Commission in Ottawa to meet with federal officials

Press Releases

Every year the Treaty Commission goes to Ottawa to meet with various federal departments to advocate for the importance of treaty negotiations, and emphasize the need for interdepartmental cooperation and coordination.

This annual trek began a few years ago as a way to build relationships with federal departments other than AANDC, and to bring awareness to all of government’s Section 35 commitments to Aboriginal rights.

During the week of June 15 Acting Chief Commissioner Celeste Haldane and Commissioners Jerry Lampert, Tom Happynook and Francis Frank, along with Process Director Mark Smith,Funding Director Dan Gill, and Process Advisor Sashia Leung, participated in four days of meetings.

Commissioners and staff met with senior officials from Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC), the Federal Steering Committee, Central Agencies, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Department of National Defense (Infrastructure and Environment), Transport Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Environment Assessment Agency, and Environment Canada. The Treaty Commission also met with the Minister of AANDC and with the opposition and third party critics for Aboriginal Affairs.

Along with discussions on department specific issues related to treaties in BC, a number of overarching topics on Reconciliation were raised at each meeting. The independence of the Treaty Commission and its uniqueness as one of the only legally established tripartite bodies whose mandate is Reconciliation was highlighted.

The Treaty Commission reiterated that the negotiation process can lead to a new relationship between First Nations in BC, the federal and provincial governments, as well as with all British Columbians and Canadians. Modern treaties will create significant economic benefits for BC. When a First Nation prospers the whole region prospers. This is achieved through fairly negotiated and honourably implemented treaties.

The Treaty Commission’s mandate includes public information and education, and these annual meetings in Ottawa are an important outreach strategy within that mandate. This has become one way to bring attention to the importance of the treaty negotiations process in BC, and awareness of the role that all departments play in fulfilling Canada’s Section 35 obligations. The Treaty Commission will be initiating a similar outreach initiative with the provincial government and MLAs who may not be aware of the importance of the BC negotiations process to British Columbia.

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