Report aims to help others through the treaty process

He was one of the trail blazers of the modern treaty process in British Columbia, and now Nelson Leeson, president of the Nisga'a Lisims Government is providing some guidance to others set to follow that same path.

A new report from the BC Treaty Commission called "Preparing for The Day After the Treaty", is aiming to help those First Nations just starting down the treaty process. It was compiled after a three day forum which brought together many of the participants in the process, who shared their experiences of how the process worked, where the pitfalls may have been and how to push forward towards a successful resolution.

In Wednesday's Daily News the paper featured some of the feedback from Mr. Leeson in their coverage of the report's launch.

'Treaty is hard work, but worth it'
Nisga'a leader shares insights with nations close to an agreement
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Pages one and two

Nelson Leeson, president of the Nisga'a Lisims Government, is one of the keynote speakers highlighted in a new publication by the B.C. Treaty Commission, called The Day After Treaty.

The report aimed at helping other First Nations through the treaty process was developed by the commission following a three-day forum in November 2007 that brought together First Nations leaders, lawyers and negotiators experienced in treaty negotiations to share their experience with those First Nations still seeking treaties.

At the forum, First Nations leaders with treaties agreed implementation is challenging but said signing a treaty was the right decision for their people.

"Self-government allows us to look at our natural advantages - resources, people and develop them responsibly, as we decide," said Leeson.

"Free in the Indian Act, hope becomes opportunity."

Leeson spoke about the opportunities the Nisga'a are presenting this year for the first time, including the launch of three new Nisga'a tours to share the Nisga'a experience with the world.

.
"Recently, the village of Gingolx, located on the coast, was reconnected to our other villages by way of the Nisga'a Highway Extension project. The project created jobs, Nisga'a Jobs. Now, access to all the villages and access to Terrace via the Nisga'a Highway 113, will allow us to develop in the area of tourism."

"Our people are excited to show the people of the world our pristine river system. The youngest lava beds in Canada, a rich living culture."

In the meantime, there are still challenges to implementing treaty, such as the failure of the federal government to establish an independent body, accountable to parliament, that will assess the extent to which the objectives laid out in treaty are being met.

The Auditor General has also criticized Indian and Northern Affairs Canada for failing to monitor objectives laid out under treaty agreements.

"The way I see it, implementation is a way down a path that will allow our future generations to do, and become, whatever they choose," said Leeson.

The hardest work in treaty starts not in the preparation of the agreement, but the day after signing. However, only hope, he said, can lead to opportunity.

In 2007, six First Nations ratified two final agreements under the BC treaty process. Three other First Nations are expected to conclude final agreement negotiations soon, while several others are expected to conclude 'agreement in principal' negotiations.

The Treaty Commission is the independent body responsible for overseeing treaty negotiations among the governments of Canada, B.C. and First Nations in B.C. It has three roles: facilitation, funding and public information and education.