The British Columbia Treaty Commission

What is the B.C. Treaty Commission (BCTC)?

It is a body formed by First Nations in B.C. and Canada and the province. The BCTC is made up of five Commissioners:

• the Summit chose Miles Richardson and Wilf Adam as the two First Nation Commissioners
  
• the Commissioner for Canada is Peter Lusztig
  
• the Commissioner for the Province is Barbara Fisher
  
• the three parties chose Alec C. Robertson as Chief Commissioner

What is the BCTC's role?

The BCTC's role is to help the three parties negotiate modern day treaties and establish a new made in B.C. relationship.

What is the new relationship?

The new relationship between First Nations, Canada and B.C. recognizes the unique place of aboriginal people in B.C. The new relationship calls for recognition of and respect for First Nations as self determining and distinct nations with their own spiritual values, histories, languages, territories, political institutions and ways of life.

How was the BCTC established?

After more than 100 years of noninvolvement, the province agreed in the summer of 1990 to take part in the Treaty-making process. First Nations saw this as an opportunity to resolve the outstanding land question and other related matters. A B.C. Claims Task Force was established in December, 1990 to determine how the three parties could begin negotiations and what the negotiations should include. An agreement establishing the B.C. Treaty Commission was signed September 21, 1992 in North Vancouver, by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, Premier Mike Harcourt and five First Nations Summit representatives. This historic agreement is referred to as the Treaty Commission Agreement.

What is the First Nations Summit?

The Summit includes all First Nations in B.C. which have agreed to take part in the process.

What role does the First Nations Summit play in the Treaty Commission negotiation process?

The Summit's responsibilities related to the Treaty Commission includes the following:

• selecting the two First Nations Commissioners who will sit on the Treaty Commission
  
• selecting the Chief Commissioner along with Canada & B.C.
  
• receiving annual reports from the Commission
  
• reviewing the Commission's annual budget
  
• deciding, along with Canada and B.C., on changes to the Treaty Commission Agreement
  

What issues can be addressed in these negotiations?

Each of the parties to the negotiation of a treaty can introduce any issue to the negotiation table.