Prince George, B.C.-  It has been  nearly ten  years since  the Lheidli T’enneh  rejected  the  treaty negotiated under the BC Treaty process, and now  there is word  a  second vote  could take place  by  mid 2016.“We have been involved in the BC Treaty process since December 1993- exactly twenty- two years- so the time has come to work toward our final decision and set the direction for our future” says Chief Dominic Frederick.

The treaty was put to a vote  in March of 2007.    Of the 300 eligible voters,  233 cast a ballot,  and  the treaty was rejected by 52%.   The process called for approval of  70%  of eligible voters in order  to pass.  It is not  yet clear if that same threshold will be in place for a second ballot.

Since then,  work has focused on  why members rejected the  treaty,  it was discovered that some members did not  fully  understand the terms or effect of the proposed agreement.

Chief Frederick says before the next vote is held,  there will be an enhanced  process of member consultation and communication “we are absolutely committed to fully informing all members.”

The Final  Agreement which was put to the membership  in that March 2007  vote  would have provided the Lheidli T’enneh with  nearly 4,300 hectares of treaty land ( including some within the Prince George City limits) a cash component of $27 million dollars (indexed to inflation) revenue sharing and  fishing rights in addition to self governance.

“Much is being said about “reconciliation” says Chief Frederick,  “and many people are asking what that means. We want to be clear that reconciling our Aboriginal rights with the rest of Canadian society has always been the main purpose of our treaty negotiations.