Robin Junger says BC Treaty process is no longer the only path to reconciliation

Robin Junger says BC Treaty process is no longer the only path to reconciliation

The BC Treaty process was dealt a blow on the weekend when a treaty with the Lheidli T’enneh that has been more than two decades in the making evaporated with a single vote.

The BC Treaty Commission was established in 1992 to address the uncertainty that exists in B.C., where First Nations title was never extinguished through historical treaties, except in a couple of rare and limited cases (Douglas Treaty and Treaty 8).

But since the modern treaty process began, only three treaties have been implemented: Tsawwassen, Maa-nulth (which involves five First Nations on Vancouver Island) and Tla’amin.

McMillan’s Robin Junger, a lawyer specializing in aboriginal law, spoke to Nelson Bennett from Business In Vancouver and said the BC Treaty process is no longer the only way to negotiate things like land and revenue sharing.

“More and more, governments and Indigenous groups are looking to non-treaty agreement such as reconciliation agreements, revenue sharing agreements and various other agreements to move forward,” he said. “While such (agreements) are not constitutionally protected like a treaty would be, they can also be a lot easier and quicker to achieve, and give more flexibility going forward.”

To read the full article “Treaty rejection a blow for treaty commission” click here.