NDP Leader Supports In-SHUCK-ch Treaty Negotiations

This story is an article that will appear in the upcoming Ucwalmicw Newsletter, submitted by Eppa (Gerard Peters), In-SHUCK-ch Chief Negotiator.

Our Meeting with Adrian Dix (the next premier?)

Adrian Dix, Eppa (Gerard Peters), and Scott Fraser.

We met recently with NDP leader Adrian Dix.  We explained that In-SHUCK-ch supported the Campbell Liberals in the last general election because of the contrary position the NDP had on IPP developments.  We always saw these potential power projects as a critical part of our economic strategy ever since we entered the BC treaty.  The Christy Clark government is considering changes to the Clean Energy Act that might take this opportunity away.  

We explained that in late 2009, BC’s negotiator agreed to our request for (IPP) water reservations on certain creeks in the Skatin and Samahquam territories.  What followed was hard lobbying from the Independent Power Producers. Cloudworks Energy (who had applications for water some of these creeks) lobbied the Liberals and the water reservations were taken off the table.  All of this occurred during closing negotiations.

Run of River Power Project

With water reservations denied to us, In-SHUCK-ch responded by placing IPP lands on the table.  We said that we wanted to have these transferred to us upon ratification (by us) of treaty.  The remaining treaty lands would transfer on Effective Date of treaty.  BC (and Canada) agreed.  This meant that we could now negotiate with IPP proponents as owners of the land upon which the IPPs would be built.  

Christy Clark now has her eye on the next general election.   She can’t afford to upset the average voter by raising their hydro bills to pay down the escalating hydro costs.  In this scenario, independent power producers are expendable and the value of our agreement is at risk

When we began organizing in the 1980s, it was always for quite straightforward reasons.  We needed to own lands.  We needed to have a measure of control over our territories.  We needed to confirm our rights.  But more than that, we needed to assume our authorities and jurisdictions.  Taken all together, we’d begin the process that would lead us ultimately to reduce our dependency on governments and we would begin to pay our own way.

Our rationale is quite simple.  We can’t wait for the handful of AANDC (formerly INAC) and CMHC houses each fiscal year if we want to catch up to our housing needs.  The answer lies in our own ability to develop a sustainable economy that would allow us to accelerate our community development.  

In-SHUCK-ch Territory Map

After years of raising our pressing need for what I’ve called ‘catch up’ at the treaty table, AANDC has agreed to provide $10 million.  It might sound like a lot, but it’s over 5 (and now 6) years.  The bands (including Douglas) have created a capital projects list that is now being reviewed by AANDC.

Clearly the answer is not in the status quo Indian Act relationship with Canada.  Neither is it in treaty.  Rather, the answer is in maximizing the return from these as we begin a process that will give us the ability to wean ourselves from dependency until finally we can afford to pay our own way.