Prince George, B.C.- It should be clear late this fall if the Lheidli T’enneh have any interest in voting again on the treaty rejected a little over three years ago.

 

Lheidli T’enneh Chief Dominic Frederick says the community wanted representation on the Committee which was reviewing the rejection of the Treaty.   “The community has ample representation now and will hopefully make its final recommendations in October of this year” says Chief Frederick. The recommendations could include a call for a new vote on the package that was rejected.

 

Chief Frederick says if such a recommendation is made, a new vote would likely take place within a few months of the recommendations being received but will not be connected with the Lheidli T’enneh elections for Chief and Council which are set for March of 2011.

 

The rejected treaty would have given the Lheidli T’enneh $13 million dollars, 4,000 hectares of land and rights on governance, fisheries and natural resources. The band set an acceptance threshold of 70% for the initial balloting on the treaty. The Treaty was rejected by a vote of 123 against, and 111 in favour of accepting the treaty. The ballots cast represented an 86% voter turnout.