Pre-treaty agreements bringing benefits to Nations on lower Vancouver Island, B.C.

Pre-treaty agreements are bringing benefits to T’Sou-ke Nation, the Malahat Nation and the Songhees Nation, all on lower Vancouver Island in British Columbia. T’Sou-ke Nation will receive two 60-hectare land parcels at Broom Hill. These lands will be transferred in fee simple in two stages, one at the signing of the Interim Treaty Agreement (ITA) and the second parcel at the signing of the agreement in principle. The Malahat Nation will receive two land parcels in the south Shawnigan Lake area. A 64-hectare parcel will be transferred upon signing the ITA while a second 120-hectare parcel, adjacent to the first, will be transferred upon signing the agreement in principle under the BC treaty process. The Songhees will receive a land parcel of .14 hectares (.35 acres) in Esquimalt; .10 hectare (.25 acres) in James Bay and .04 hectare (.10 acres) in Victoria. These land parcels will be transferred in two stages. “Songhees Nation is working diligently to develop jobs and other economic opportunities that will contribute to a prosperous future for its citizens and the surrounding region,” said Ida Chong, BC’s minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation. “We are pleased to be able to support their efforts to build a successful economic base in the capital region.” Incremental Treaty Agreements allow First Nations and the province to enjoy shared benefits in advance of a final agreement. ITAs create incentives to reach further milestones and provide increased certainty over land and resources. ITAs are pre-treaty agreements that provide economic opportunities, promote constructive planning opportunities and advance treaty-related benefits for First Nations early in treaty negotiations.