VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 20, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reconciliation is a priority for all levels of government, and increasingly more at the local and regional level. In British Columbia, treaty negotiations are reconciliation in action.



Today the BC Treaty Commission releases its 2017 annual report, Reconciling prosperity: The role of local and regional governments in treaty negotiations. The report focuses on the benefits modern treaties bring to regional economies, and the importance of local government in advancing treaty negotiations and reconciliation.

Included in the report are interviews with Tsawwassen First Nation Chief Bryce Williams and Executive Councillor Tanya Corbet, Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District Chair John Jack and Vice-Chair Josie Osborne, Powell River Mayor David Formosa and Tla’amin Nation Hegus Clint Williams, and Huu-ay-aht Executive Councillor Trevor Cootes.

“Nowhere does the rubber hit the road more on the really hard issues of reconciliation than in treaty negotiations,” said Chief Commissioner Celeste Haldane. “The prosperity that will come from modern treaties cannot just be a passive beneﬁt to non-First Nation communities; it requires active local support.”

Quick Facts

The BC Treaty Commission 2017 annual report will be available online at www.bctreaty.ca at 11:00am.



Press conference video will be on Youtube this afternoon.



There are 29 modern treaties in Canada. BC is leading the country in reconciliation through the implementation of eight of these treaties, which is 27.5%.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Odette Wilson / Communications Advisor / t: 604-482-9215 / c: 604-290-4059 / owilson@bctreaty.ca

Mark Smith / Director of Process / t: 604-482-9208 / msmith@bctreaty.ca

About the BC Treaty Commission

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