Thumbs up for treaties

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Negotiation is the only acceptable and civilized way for Native people and the government to deal with the complex issues of Aboriginal title and rights in the province of British Columbia, said Chief Joe Mathias.

He was responding to a new study, conducted by ARA Consulting Group of Vancouver, which found land claim treaties have a positive effect in regards to economic opportunity, community development and improved relations between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.

"The strength of this report is that it provides an independent and balanced perspective of the issues, challenges and opportunities of treaty-making," said Mathias. "It is a critically important and timely document, one we expect will generate constructive public debate in the months ahead."

The study found that modern day treaties have not caused the kind of disruption and disharmony their critics contend they do, but neither do they offer instant solutions. A summary report prepared by Ken Coates of the University of Northern British Columbia said the resolution of long-standing disagreements, through negotiation rather than through legal or politically imposed conditions, will liberate people from the contentious and difficult debates of the past.

"These often heated discussions ? about colonialism, dislocation, sovereignty, ownership, and the legitimacy of Native land claims ? generate a great deal of rhetoric and anger but rarely provide lasting solutions," concludes the summary.

The study examined three Canadian treaties ? the James Bay, Yukon and Inuvialuit ? as well as treaties in Alaska, Australia and New Zealand. It provides an analysis of the impacts of settlements on governance, land and resources, business, income, employment, education training and social services.

Chief Edward John, of the First Nations Summit Task Group, hopes the study will dispel the misinformation and confusion surrounding treaty talks and settlements.

"Unfortunately, the debate up to now has been highly charged and emotional. The information in this study should help British Columbians become better informed about the real facts of treaty settlement," said John.

It is important for British Columbians to realize they are not alone in facing the changes an uncertainty surrounding treaty negotiations," said Aboriginal Affairs minister John Cashore. This study shows that treaties are about compromise and about establishing a social, political and economic framework for future relations between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people."

However, the BC Reform party describes the study as "warm and fuzzy" and says it has little relevance to B.C. taxpayers.

"I don't think most British Columbians give a fig about one academic's view of how treaties have been received in other countries or jurisdictions. But they are beginning to understand very clearly the one-way path to land claims negotiations taken here by both senior governments is not safe to travel, said B.C. Reform leader Jack Weisgerber in a press release.