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Understanding Our Treaty
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All information is subject to the conclusion of negotiations and ratification of the Tscentwécw Agreement by the communities of Xat’súll First Nation, Tsq’escen First Nation, Williams Lake First Nation and Stswecem’c-Xget’tem First Nation, B.C. and Canada.
The Northern Secwépemc te Qelmúcw (NStQ), or ‘Shuswap people of the north’ have occupied their traditional territory since time immemorial. As an Interior Salish people, their vast traditional territory. The land is called Secwépemcúl’ecw and allowed the people to be entirely self-sufficient. Utilizing a network of temporary camps and permanent winter villages, they developed a highly sustainable web of interaction and connection with the land, people and resources.
The seasonal round involved wide-scale movement on the land, to be able to hunt, fish, harvest plants, berry pick, perform ceremony, and trade as necessary. The traditional knowledge required to survive was well known and has been recorded on the landscape through place names, stories, and legends passed on through families orally.
The NStQ people-maintained relationships with neighbouring Secwepemc, the Dakelh (Carrier) and Tsilhqot’in (Chilcotin) people. Through trade networks, protocol agreements, stewardship agreements, adaptive strategies and inter-tribal marriages among other things, the NStQ enjoyed a full life.
- The NStQ have been working towards the Tscentwécw Agreement since 1993. There are six stages of the Treaty Process. The NStQ are currently in Stage 5: Negotiations to Finalize a Treaty
- At the end of Stage 5, the NStQ will vote on the Tscentwécw Agreement.
- If the majority of the voters vote “YES”, then the NStQ will begin Stage 6: Implementation of a Treaty.
The Tscentwécw Agreement must be approved by the members of Xatśūll First Nation, Tsq̓éscen’ First Nation, Stswecem’c-Xget’tem First Nation, Williams Lake First Nation in a democratic vote – this is called ratification.
What happens if the NStQ people vote “YES”?
If the NStQ members approve the Tscentwécw Agreement, the NStQ will have several years to prepare for implementation or the “Effective Date”. This is in part because passing legislation through the Canadian and BC parliaments will take time.
The NStQ will utilize this time to prepare new laws, policies and regulations; hiring staff; and increasing the administrative and fiscal capacity to deal with the new responsibilities and authority.
Once the Tscentwécw Agreement has been implemented, the NStQ (along with B.C. and Canada) will have the opportunity to renegotiate and update sections of the Treaty every 10 years through a periodic renewal process as set out in the Treaty.
- The Government will be designed by the NStQ people and the laws will be made by the NStQ Government and People.
- There will be recognition of NStQ’s Aboriginal Rights & Title and the inherent right to self-government within Canada’s Constitution.
- There will be Treaty Settlement Lands with law-making authority over those lands.
- There will be a process for negotiating co-management agreements with the NStQ areas.
- There will be the authority to manage property, sales, business or income tax revenues from businesses and non-members who reside or operate within the Treaty Settlement Lands, through a tax treatment agreement with Canada and B.C.
- There will be a continuation of all existing government programs and services (e.g., health, education, housing, road maintenance, social development, employment services) and funding.
- There will be continued access to all social programs for NStQ community members, spouses and families.
- There will be eligibility of NStQ citizens for new programs or services.
- There will be an opportunity to use increased revenue to create new or improve NStQ programs, services, and community infrastructure (e.g., roads) and;
- There will be greater opportunities for regional economic development and partnerships.
Treaty Settlement Lands
The Treaty Settlement Lands (TSL) that the NStQ receives will continue to be accessible to the public. The TSLs that NStQ receives will continue to be accessible for temporary recreational and non-commercial purposes.
Access
Highway and Roads: Existing B.C. highways and certain main roads, such as Forest Service Roads, on the proposed TSLs will continue to be owned and maintained by the Province of B.C. (i.e. Highways 97 and 24)
Where certain roads are included in the TSLs they will be owned and maintained by NStQ.
Public Lands: After the Treaty, members of the public can access NStQ public lands for temporary or recreational purposes (for example, existing trail access)
NStQ may choose to adopt laws to regulate public access to prevent unauthorized uses; however, NStQ will be required to let the public know about any new restrictions or conditions that would affect access.
Employees of government and utility companies can continue to access NStQ Lands (public or private) to ensure programs and services (likely electricity, water, or law enforcement) continue.
Parks
Provincial Park will not be part of the TSLs; however, will be included in the TSLs and public access will be maintained by NStQ.
NStQ Laws
NStQ will develop its own constitution, which will set out the structure of the NStQ Government (including authority and accountability) and laws.
NStQ Laws will apply to the NStQ members, non-member residents living on TSLs, and anyone who receives NStQ programs or services. Federal and provincial laws will also apply concurrently and there will be cooperative among jurisdictions.
Consultation
NStQ will engage with NStQ citizens and non-member residents on Treaty Land about matters that affect them.
Property Owners
After treaty, (fee simple) ownership of private lands that are surrounded by the TSLs will not change. However, if a property owner chooses to sell a property, the NSTQ may have the opportunity to purchase the property and it would then become part of the NStQ lands.