Province introduces $100-million trust act

Non-Native consultants, advisors, and lawyers be warned; you will be replaced by First Nations professionals.

The Government of British Columbia has tabled legislation to enact the $100-million New Relationship Trust that will help fund long-term capacity building for First Nations. Tom Christensen, minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation announced the legislation on March 21.

"Building capacity in First Nations communities is a clear priority for our government," said Christensen. "This fund has been established to provide First Nations with the tools, training and skills to participate in social and economic decision-making in their communities. It will also help to foster leadership among First Nations youth and bring about greater self-reliance, prosperity and certainty for First Nations and all British Columbians."

Announced in the September 2005 Budget Update, the New Relationship fund was designed to support capacity building for First Nations so they can effectively participate in land and resource management and social programs for their communities.

"The intent is to build capacity amongst First Nations and help communities build economies and address the social and economic gap and to give expression to governance," said Shawn Atleo, B.C. regional chief of the Assembly of First Nations and hereditary chief from the Ahousaht First Nation. "The intention is not to have consultants write something up and leave it on a shelf. This is about having people who are directly impacted by issues of titles and rights, and that's every man, woman and child in the communities and their government, afforded the opportunity to benefit from initiatives like this," he said. "First Nations should be looking forward to relying on themselves more."

The New Relationship Trust act establishes that a corporation will be created to manage the fund. A seven-member board of directors will also be established. The act states that the board will solicit and consider the opinions of First Nations and the public in the development of a three-year strategic plan.

According to a Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation press release, the government consulted and collaborated with the First Nations Summit, Union of BC Indian Chiefs and the BC Assembly of First Nations to develop the legislation framework. The principles that guided the process included accountability and flexibility to ensure the fund would meet the needs of First Nations and support government's long-term vision of economic prosperity for First Nations.

"First Nations in B.C. are encouraged by the creation of the New Relationship Trust as an indication of the provincial government's commitment in moving forward to an era of transformative change that we hope will lead to greater recognition and reconciliation of First Nations title and rights in B.C.," said Grand Chief Edward John, a member of the First Nations Summit political executive. "The New Relationship Trust will be an important step in assisting First Nations to build and strengthen their internal capacity to better manage their lands and resources."

"This marks the first time in the history of British Columbia that the provincial government and First Nations leaders have come together in the spirit of co-operation to change the status quo for the benefit of all British Columbians," said Christensen, adding this legislation is a distinct departure from the past.

"The history of relations between First Nations and the provincial Crown over the last century and a half has been a failed relationship, including injustice and the denial of Aboriginal rights in this province, and has been marked by consistent conflict. We are turning a historic corner, building a new relationship built on mutual respect, reconciliation, and on recognition of Aboriginal rights," he said.

"First Nations' experience with government has been one of either indifference or disrespect, and it's borne out in the treaty mandate and in the policy framework under which treaty mandates are developed, and it's based on a policy of extinguishment and denial," said Atleo. "This is one of the very first, most tangible expressions of the province's commitment to begin recognizing the indifference and disrespect, and they recognize First Nations need the capacity to build up their own communities and governments, whether it's in resource referrals or in the development of their own governments in their communities, and the opportunity to have language and culture help shape that," he said.

Premier Gordon Campbell had said in the past he is more interested in developing economic development opportunities for First Nations than resolving long-standing treaty settlement issues. Christensen denied this announcement is part of such a plan.

"This is in no way a move away from our commitment to negotiate treaties. We're fully committed to getting those [agreements in principle] to final agreement," said Tom Christensen. "What this funding does is allow us to build capacity within First Nations across the province to better engage in discussions with government, and develop the skills of people within those communities rather than being reliant on outside advisors. The New Relationship initiative as a whole is consistent with the goals of treaty making, which is ultimately to reconcile the interests of First Nations and the province," he said.

"Undoubtedly, we are at a turning point in our journey towards reconciliation, and we as leaders, as well as the province, must carry forward this momentum for the benefit of our communities," said Atleo.

"This New Relationship fund marks the start for supporting communities to develop what will be needed in a post-treaty environment in terms of the skills and capacity needed. It's just a start; $100 million is not going to do the whole job. There's more work that we need to do. Both levels of government know that the status quo isn't doing it. We need to start removing barriers in comprehensive claim process, and we're hoping the money will start flowing to communities as soon as possible," he said.