May 11th marks 20 years of the first modern treaty in B.C. to allow self government for Indigenous peoples

NEW AIYANSH–British Columbia’s first modern treaty came into effect 20 years ago today (May.11) and the government of Canada, and BC along with the Nisga’a Nation are celebrating.

The Nisga’a Final Agreement was created on May 11, 2000 and for the Nisga’a people it marked the end of a 113-year journey and a step towards reconciliation.

“The Treaty is a living and breathing example of reconciliation in action and what we can accomplish when we work together and recognize and respect Indigenous people’s right to self-determination.”–John Horgan

The Nisga’a Final Agreement is the first treaty in the province to have provided constitutional certainty in respect of Indigenous people’s Section 35 right to self-government. The Treaty recognizes Nisga’a Lands, secures Nisga’a hunting and fishing rights in the Nass Wildlife Area and Nass Area respectively, and has opened the door for joint economic initiatives in the responsible, sustainable developement of the Nisga’a Nations’s natural resources.