Huu-ay-aht First Nations Endorse Maa-nulth Treaty

July 29, 2007

Victoria - The Huu-ay-aht First Nations have voted to approve the Maa-nulth First Nations Final Agreement, bringing the west coast of Vancouver Island area one step closer to a final treaty, Premier Gordon Campbell said today.

"Years of hard work at the treaty table have brought the Huu-ay-aht First Nations to this historic day," said Premier Campbell. "I want to congratulate Chief Councillor Robert Dennis and the Huu-ay-aht community for their commitment, leadership and determination in taking this important step towards a final treaty."

Of the 303 ballots cast, a resounding 90 per cent or 272 votes were in favour of the treaty.

On July 28, the eligible voters cast ballots in Port Alberni, Vancouver, Nanaimo and Anacla on the Maa-nulth Final Agreement. The ratification process required a positive endorsement from 50 per cent plus one of the registered voters list. Of 378 eligible voters, 72 per cent voted in favour of the treaty.

"This is a historic day and treaty for the Huu-ay-aht people," said Chief Councillor Robert Dennis. "This has been a tough struggle, involving 13 years of negotiation in the community. The Huu-ay-aht people told us what they wanted in the treaty, the mandate was very clear. This is a made-in-Huu-ay-aht treaty."

The remaining four Maa-nulth First Nations - the Ucluelet First Nation, the Toquaht Nation, the Ka:'yu:'k't'h'/Che:k'tles7et'h' First Nations and the Uchucklesaht Tribe - will be holding their community votes in October 2007.

"We are hopeful that the other four Maa-nulth First Nations will embrace the Final Agreement when they vote this fall," said Michael de Jong, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation. "This has been a remarkable week for British Columbia's treaty process with two First Nations communities voting in favour of a modern-day treaty."

The Maa-nulth Final Agreement would provide a capital transfer of $73.1 million, annual resource royalty payments averaging $1.2 million for 25 years and a land transfer totalling approximately 24,551 hectares to the five First Nations.

"Honouring the past and embracing the future is the challenge the Maa-nulth First Nations set for themselves," said Chief Commissioner Steven Point of the BC Treaty Commission. "The Huu-ay-aht First Nations have done that today. Like the Tsawwassen people earlier this week, they have chosen the path of self-government and self-sufficiency through treaty. We applaud them on this historic step."

On July 25, 2007, the Tsawwassen First Nation voted overwhelmingly in favour of the first urban, modern-day treaty under the B.C. treaty process.

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