Eve of Treaty Vote
By 250 News
The day is nearly here for members of the Lheidli T’enneh. Tomorrow, marks the start of balloting on their treaty. The first round of balloting is set to take place at the Native Friendship Centre in Prince George. “I am very proud of what the community has accomplished” says Chief Dominic Frederick. “This is their treaty”. Eligible voters are being asked two questions: 1. Do you approve the Lheidli T’enneh Final Agreement initialled October 29, 2006? 2. Do you approve the Constitution of Lheidli T’enneh dated January 30, 2007? The acceptance threshold on the treaty is very high, 70% acceptance, or the treaty is rejected. He isn’t worried “I have no worries, I am confident.” says Frederick. The treaty is said to be worth about $73 million dollars in cash, land and forest tenure. ( click here for highlights) Still, there are those who oppose, including Lheidli T’enneh Traditional Chief Peter Quaw who says the deal isn’t good enough. The treaty has also come under fire from other First Nations, including the Shuswap who say the treaty encroaches on part of their traditional territory, and Treaty 8 Nations say they too have some concerns about some of the provisions . Chief Dominic Frederick isn’t concerned about the last minute wrangling “You don’t stand on the tracks if you know the freight train is coming” Tomorrow’s balloting at the Prince George Native Friendship Centre is the first of several ballots to be held in the province. the dates and locations for the other ballots are as follows: Chief Frederick says he expects the ballot count to be complete late on the 30th. “The people will decide” says Frederick, “I am very proud of the community, this is their treaty. They have taken charge of their lives, they have empowered themselves.”
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