Lheidli T'enneh Treaty Initialed

By 250 News

From left, Minister of Indian Affairs Northern Development Jim Prentice, Premier Gordon Campbell and Lheidli T’enneh Chief Dominic Frederick  initial the final agreement as Negotiatiors  (from left) Tom Malloy, Trevor Proverbs and Mark Stevenson look on.

The agreement is  said to be worth $73 million dollars in cash, land and forest tenure. (click here for highlights) It has now been initialed, opening the doors to ratification by the Lheidli T’enneh.   This is the first treaty under the  B.C. Treaty process and has been 13 years in the making so the three parties to the agreement wanted to celebrate.

Two hundred and fifty people turned out to the Civic Centre in Prince George to witness the historic event.

Premier Gordon Campbell said that for 2 centuries the relationship between  B.C.  and the First Nations was one of denial, and recognized that the Lheidli T’enneh had good reason not to trust, "Still, they came to the table, and I am determined to see that trust is rewarded." he told the crowd.

The ceremony started with a processional of drummers followed by Lheidli T’enneh Band leaders and elders, representatives of government,  and the negotiators.

Indian Affairs and Northern Development Minister, Jim Prentice  said the Treaty will let the Lheidli T’enneh "assume your rightful place in Canada".

Chief Dominic Fredrick  was given a standing ovation (left) as he approached the microphone,  he said "We have come here today to  turn the page and open a new chapter for the generations to come."

The agreement has yet to be ratified, and will go before the Lheidli T’enneh voters in mid January.  The Lheidli T’enneh have set the bar very high for ratification.  They want  approval by 70% of all votes cast in order to ratify the deal.

If the agreement fails that test, there is no treaty.

If ratified,  it could take another full year before it would be approved by the Provincial and Federal governments.

Below, dignitaries on the stage at the initialing ceremony in Prince George

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