ANNUAL REPORTS

September 21, 2022 marked the start of the 30th anniversary year of the signing of the BC Treaty Commission Agreement. Over the past three decades, Modern Treaty First Nations and First Nations in the Made-in-BC treaty negotiations process have accomplished and continue to achieve remarkable successes. Critical changes to the negotiations process have occurred. One of the most significant changes is the shifting legal landscape, which includes the adoption of provincial and federal UN Declaration legislations, greater rights recognition, removal of fiscal and financial barriers, and forthcoming landmark legal decisions.

The 2021 annual report highlights four innovative tripartite agreements achieved in the past year that demonstrate innovations and new approaches to treaty and tripartite reconciliation negotiations. These negotiations are supported by the recent Recognition and Reconciliation of Rights Policy for Treaty Negotiations in British Columbia.

Indigenous sovereignty is a foundational principle of Indigenous rights and is fundamental to reconciliation. The constitutional imperative of modern treaties represents a sharing of power – a sharing of sovereignty – between Indigenous Nations and governments. This year’s annual report highlights this important aspect of treaty negotiations.