Lheildi T'enneh Start Community Consultation to Lead to New Vote
By 250 News
Sunday, November 21, 2010 06:11 AM
Lheidli T'enneh Councillors Jan Shannon, Lou Ella Nome, Chief Dominic Frederick, Councillor Regina Toth and Treaty Manager Marvin George announce results of vote.
Prince George, B.C.- The Lheildi T’enneh have decided to hold a second vote on the same treaty rejected in March of 2007. The vote on holding the second ballot was very close, with 92 votes in favour, 89 votes against. There were three spoiled ballots.
Despite the split in the vote, Chief Dominic Frederick says the community is not divided, “It is the process that divides, the community is not divided.”
“We will not set a date for the ratification vote until we have had further consultation with community members” says Chief Frederick, but he adds, it is expected such a vote could be held later in the new year.
While saying he is pleased that the majority of community members are comfortable with a second ratification vote, he adds, that shows community members “Have a better understanding now of what the Treaty would mean to our community than they did in March of 2007.”
Treaty manager Marvin George says to be fair, many of the side agreements on the Treaty were finalized just a couple of days before the ballot in March of 2007, clearly not enough time to properly inform voters about the details of the treaty.
In fact, the review of why the treaty was rejected, indicated many who voted against the agreement either did not have all the information they should have had, or, did not understand the information they were given.
Chief Frederick says the community’s first concern is that the Provincial and Federal Governments know they are willing to hold a second vote. That decision means the senior levels of government will continue to hold on to the funds and lands outlined in the treaty.
The settlement package is estimated to be worth about $75 million dollars in cash and lands.
The decision to hold a second vote on the treaty will also mean more work for the City of Prince George.
Mayor Dan Rogers says there were several service agreements that were being developed with the Lheidli T’enneh just before the treaty was rejected in March of 2007. Those agreements dealt with issues of taxation and services to lands within city limits that were part of the settlement.
Mayor Rogers says he is pleased the Lheidli T’enneh are looking forward “It is obviously a challenging issue but it is the Lheidli’s issue. From what I hear, they want to hear more information and if we can support that we will, but right now, we’re supporting the process in having the discussion they need to have.”
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Posted by: Harbinger on November 21 2010 2:12 PM