Revenue-sharing plan welcome, but overdue, say B.C. First Nations

The NDP government says arevenue-sharing agreement with First Nationsannounced in Tuesday's provincial budget is a historic step toward reconciliation.

Some First Nations groups say the announcement is welcome but overdue.

"The B.C. government is finally implementing a long-awaited agreement to share gaming revenue that will enable First Nations the opportunity to prioritize critically important community issues that have long hindered their beneficial development," said Grand Chief Joe Hall, a former chair of the B.C. First Nations Gaming Commission, in a statement.

The provincial government has pledged $3-billion over 25 years will be shared withFirst Nations froma dedicated gaming revenue fund.

Finance Minister Carole James said the deal was reached after decades of talks.

"It's the right thing to do on the path to reconciliation," James said.

Every First Nation community in B.C. will be eligible for between $250,000 and $2-million annually under the agreement.

'Hands up to them'

Hall said he and his colleagues at theB.C. First Nations Gaming Commission have been lobbying for years to secure revenue-sharing from gaming in B.C., but said former LIberal government wouldn't commit.

"I say hands up to [the NDP government]becausethey are the ones who said we need to address this, and they came back to us after years and years of difficulties with the previous government," Hall toldCBCsRobyn Burns.

Listen to the full interviews with Grand Chief Hall and Jay Johnston here

How it works

Fifty per cent of the fund will be divided equally among B.C.'s First Nations. The rest will be distributedbased on a formula which takes population, size and geographic remoteness into account.

The First Nations GamingCommission plans to establisha new B.C. First Nations limited partnership to manage thefunding, overseen by a First Nations-appointed board of directors.

Jay Johnston, a negotiator for theBC First Nations Gaming Commission,said the funding plan will allow Nations to create spending priorities based on their own needs and developeconomic independence.

"They'll be able to meet needs in their communities in ways they have not been able to do before," Johnston said.

Across theprovince

First Nation representatives across B.C. reacted on social media.

On Twitter, aSquamishNation councillor praisedthe agreement.

The president of theNuu-chah-nulthTribal Council tweeted that she had called for revenue sharing under a previous BC Liberal government.