Yesterday - Business in Vancouver wrote on the subject of the ongoing debate over the Nenqay Deni Accord signed by the Tsilhqot'in National Government (TNG) /BC Government earlier this year as a result of the William Title Case decision from the Supreme Court of Canada back in June 2014 and just mere days after the NstQ had just held successful community votes in Soda Creek, Dog/Canoe Creek and Canim Lake on proceeding beyond Stage 4 (Agreement in Principle) by interviewing Xeni Gwet'in Chief/Cariboo Regional District Electoral Area 'J' Director Roger William. Read the article here
After the Accord was revealed -- the Northern Shuswap Tribal Council expressed outrage at the BC Government for negotiating with the NStQ whilst negotiating with the TNG regarding the Accord where part of the envisioned lands would overlap the traditional territory of the Northern Shuswap area.
Following this - the TNG agreed to engage in a conversation with the NStQ and other affected First Nations in the Region in regard to the Accord. In the meantime, a concern has been expressed by the Mining Sector in regard to the identified 'Category B' lands including land that is contemplated by Taseko Mines to do exploratory work near Fish Lake - land that Xeni Gwet'in/TNG considers sacred.
The NStQ warn that the accord jeopardizes the treaty negotiations that they have been involved in for more than two decades – a process that has racked up a $28 million bill in repayable federal loans.
“The province’s decision to sign the accord also has the potential to erode the confidence of the NStQ nations in the province’s commitment to the B.C. treaty process generally and to negotiations with the NStQ specifically, which could adversely affect the ability of NStQ to complete a final agreement,”
On July 5th of this year - Chiefs representing the Canoe Creek-Dog Creek Indian Band, Williams Lake Indian Band and Soda Creek Indian Band launched a petition in BC Supreme Court against John Rustad, BC's Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation. Minister Rustad has not yet made public comment on the lawsuit initiated by the Canoe Creek-Dog Creek Indian Band, Williams Lake Indian Band and Soda Creek Indian Bands.
Whatever your view on the Accord - it seems the debate over how the Accord was agreed to and the impact upon many in the Region/Province/Country will be discussed over the months and years to come
Lawsuit from Canoe Creek-Dog Creek Indian Band, Williams Lake Indian Band and Soda Creek Indian Bands below:
~SF
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