The Lheidli T’enneh Treaty, one of several ‘new treaties’ being pushed forward in British Colombia, is said to be worth about $73 million. Supporters of this treaty allege that, if it went forward, it will provide the Lheidli T’enneh with self-government and secure for them land and ‘rights to resources.’
The reality however, is that this treaty will reduce the Lheidli T’enneh to little more than a token idea, with no land whatsoever. This will be followed by the Lheidli T’enneh having no authority and no ability to self-govern, because the Lheidli T’enneh will cease to be separate or distinct from Canada. The nation will become just another Canadian municipality.
As we should expect, this has been very carefully omitted from public discourse—Or atleast from the mouths of anyone who supports this new treaty.
The Treaty will let the Lheidli T’enneh “assume [their] rightful place in Canada” - Jim Prentice.
In order for the Treaty to go ahead, however, it had to be ratified by the Lheidli T’enneh People. And so plans were made for the people to vote either YES or NO.
The Lheidli T’enneh have set the bar very high for ratification. They want approval by 70% of all votes cast in order to ratify the deal. If the agreement fails that test, there is no treaty. source
Just a few short months ago the vote was held as promised… 53% of the Lheidli T’enneh who voted said NO.
So then, as far as we all understand, that means the treaty was not ratified, so then there is just “no treaty”, right?
The Lheidli T’enneh band council and the federal and provincial government doesn’t think so. In fact they are now committed to enticing the Lheidli T’enneh to change their minds.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LHEIDLI T’ENNEH BEING BRIBED TO VOTE YES ON BCTC FINAL AGREEMENT
(Prince George, BC) - June 19th, 2007
On April 3rd, 2007, the Lheidli T’enneh band held a Community Treaty Meeting to discuss options following their rejection of the proposed Lheidli T’enneh Final Agreement. A total of only 20 Lheidli T’enneh band members attended this meeting – approximately 7% of the 272 who
are enrolled to vote on the proposed treaty settlement. Following this meeting, the chief and council pronounced that they had been given a mandate to stay in the British Columbia Treaty Commission (BCTC) Process.
This purported “mandate” to continue treaty negotiations flies in the face of the rejection of the Final Agreement in March by Lheidli T’enneh First Nation members (only 47% voted for the agreement). Since when does a “No” vote mean “Maybe”?
The Lheidli T’enneh band council and the federal and provincial government negotiators refuse to accept the results of the ratification vote. Instead of respecting the voice of the people, the chief and council and the BCTC and federal and provincial governments have devised this new “mandate” to entice the Lheidli T’enneh to change their minds and support the Final Agreement. The centrepiece of the scheme is a proposal to negotiate a slice of funding out of the proposed financial payment in the agreement. This money is to be used as a one-time compensation payout of $3000.00 (three thousand) to each member and $5000.00 (five thousand) for those 55 years of age and older. Lheidli T’enneh band members are being offered cash in their pockets in exchange for a “Yes” vote on a bad deal that they have already rejected.
Lheidli T’enneh band members are now being tempted to benefit today at the expense of their grandchildren. The Lheidli T’enneh Final Agreement was rejected because it does not provide security for future generations of Lheidli T’enneh. Tribal Chief David Luggi of the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council, spokesperson for the Indigenous Rights Alliance, stated: “The BCTC platform is designed to bankrupt our future generations, our nationhood, self- sufficiency, and inherent rights to the land. B.C. is the big jurisdictional winner in treaties; Indigenous Nations are proposed to be the major losers.”
The attempt to force the ratification of this failed agreement by offering personal compensation to individuals is a bold-face bribe and a desperate tactic that betrays the true nature of the BCTC and federal and provincial governments, and exposes the questionable loyalties of the
chief and band council. Who does the Lheidli T’enneh band council work for? The Lheidli T’enneh? Or, the governments who sit across the table from them in the BCTC negotiations?
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CONTACT: Indigenous Rights Alliance
c/o Tribal Chief David Luggi
Carrier Sekani Tribal Council
Prince George, B.C. V2L 3N2
Phone: 250.562.6279 or 1-800-280-8722
Fax: 250.562.8206
Further Reading
BC Treaty Monster Grows 3 Heads
New Relationship or Final Solution? (pdf)
Recognition and Coexistence of Aboriginal Land Rights in Canada
It is time to walk away from the BC Treaty Process
I sat in the 9 years of the Community Treaty Council and listened to both sides as the meetings went on and on. Things were brought to the table by concerned members about future generations and how things will filter down… Now that there is a “No” people are finding the nation is a frigile and broken. The people are left to wonder if there will be any treaty in our lifetime. We have been fighting the governments to be recoginized and given an ear that will listen. Yet there is nothing, just us arguing amongst each other, putting blame on not taking the deal, on people trying to sell our childern’s aboriginal rights, fighting about everything. I am even afraid to speak out of line for I work closely to the Nation. There is a lot to say but feel the gag order being pushed apon everyone. To keep quiet as the Federal Government and Provincial Government keep saying ” we will deal with those things when we get to it and never giving us a clear sense of direction or a clear answer.
That is so sad to see that we live in a time of democracy and people still don’t feel they have a right to speak from the heart. This person must have seen and heard many things from both sides of the table. I feel for them because no one should be put in the middle and told to take a side. There must be many others that feel the same way, but can’t say.
Friend, thank you for speaking up and sharing your concerns here. Please feel free to speak at any length in the future.
I have a feeling there’s lots of people who have the same concerns as you, even many of the people who have publicly supported this so-called treaty—but they want to give the government the benefit of the doubt.
That should tell us something though. Because what safety and security can we get when we are limited to the hope that Canada and British Columbia will act responsibly and with integrity?
Trust is something earned, and these Governments have NEVER done anything to earn our trust. They always betray us, hands-down, no contest.
I myself am deeply concerned about these these treaties too. I think back 200 years and know our ancestors would never have agreed to them. The cost is just too great… But then we also had leaders we could count on, People who knew what it meant to be a Nation and knew what it meant to defend it… People who knew that “for the next seven generations” is not just some abstract idea, but a practical way of seeing what’s best for the People and the Land.
But now? Now the government is able to do what was impossible in the past. Is it because after so many generations of systemic abuse, the People are prepared to sacrifice and enfranchise and assimilate and compromise themselves into Canadian Society?
With all my heart I hope that’s not the case, but that is exactly what these so-called treaties are making the People do… and for what? Money and Promises?
Do you see any room to connect with others who disagree with this? Maybe you could form a Group of concerned Coastal People to atleast start informing people of the facts— and that, as sovereign Peoples, only you can secure your rights, protect your sovereignty, defend your culture, and meet your needs. A foreign government cannot do this and it is not the place for a foreign government to even try, especially one as hypocritical as Canada.
In any case, I want to say that no matter what happens with this and the rest of the treaties, there will remain a great deal of real hope because agreements on paper are not absolute. It does not mean they can’t be dissolved in the future, and it doesn’t mean that ten years down the road the people cannot suddenly realize how terrible this scheme is, and demand it be dissolved.
The very fact that so much coercion and deceit is being used to move all this forward may prove to be very useful.
Respectfully,
Ahni.
I am just reading all of the views on this treaty subject. I know of a time not so long ago. People were asked to stand up on July 29, 2007 to hit the govenment where it hurts so they will take us more seriously. I wanted to support the cause but didn’t know how or who to ask. The day came and went and I seen nothing out of the ordinary accept a few people around the court house.
But if we took a moment to think of a way for people to take notice that would be to hit them in the pocket.. INDUSTRY.. I would like to see nations come together to stand against everything the INDUSTRY stands for and show Canada that once we all get together there is many of us … the Canadian government would not be able to turn its face.
We as native people need to stop fighting each other and stand together to let our voices be heard and have goals and things to say, not just I don’t like that or no. Give some reason and some solutions
That is my thought for the day
Concerned in Prince
Very true my friend–there is definitely a need to come together as Communities and as Nations.
There’s also a big need for us to start acting like Nations, to have accountable leadership, and for us to stop thinking money is going to solve all our problems. I’m afraid money just can’t do this.
At least, if we want money so badly, then we should be in a position so negotiations, etc, can actually be in our favour.
Right now we’re all in a position of disadvantage to Canada, sort-of one step behind.
Uniting though, and acting like the Nations were are can change that.
About your not knowing who to turn to, have you ever heard of Wasase?
It’s a group that was started by Taiaiake Alfred, who is based in BC. I’ve been a member for a while now, and there’s a diverse number of good people there, many of whom are on the West Coast. They would be a good group to start with.
About the July 29 thing, I was pretty disappointed too, but it was a bit of a scam in my eyes, something for the AFN. No major change can ever happen in one day, it takes a lot of time and effort.