Treaty process costly, slow: B.C. First Nation

A B.C. First Nation is just one chapter away from a treaty agreement, but its main negotiator says federal government foot-dragging has become frustrating and costly.

The Tla'amin First Nation announced Sunday that its members have endorsed its constitution, clearing one of the last hurdles for a modern treaty.

Tla'amin chief treaty negotiator Roy Francis says what's holding up a settlementis that federal government negotiators aren't willing to talk about the Tla'amin portion of the fishery.

The band wants access to not only a share of the salmon, but of the clam, oyster, and crab fisheries that their ancestors have harvested for thousands of years.

"Honestly I don't think they have a will," Francis said of the government negotiators. "They won't acknowledge that there's an aboriginal right to fish. I think they struggle with that term. The courts have confirmed there's an aboriginal right to fish."

Francis said they've been trying to negotiate their share of the fishery for more than two years and it's costing the band $1 million every year.

The tiny band ofabout 1,000 people, which is about 140 kilometres north of Vancouver along the B.C. coast near Powell River, has spent almost $9 million so far in negotiators for lawyers, consultants and other fees.

"It's not right for the Tla'amin to be borrowing, going further into debt just waiting for Canada to do its part of the work."

The band entered into the treaty process in 1994 and the Tla'amin and the provincial and federal governments had to pledge they had a mandate to negotiate. ButFrancis said the federal government now seems unwilling to negotiate over the fishery issue.

"It's embarrassing for Canada, if we have the messaging out for the world to hear. It should be embarrassing for them," Francis said.

No one from the Department ofIndian and Northern Affairs could be reached for comment.

There are more than 200 First Nations in the province, but fewer than 20 have treaties and most of those date back to the 1800s when British Columbia was a colony and agreements were signed between aboriginals and local governments.