Yesterday was a moment of reflection for the members of the Nisga'a Nation as they looked back to twenty years ago and signing of the Nisga'a Final Agreement, the first modern treaty in British Columbia history and a document that has become somewhat of a blue print for other negotiations between the Provincial and Federal governments and First Nations across the province.
On Monday, the British Columbia government provided some background on the process of the negotiations and how the Agreement has shaped the relationship over the last twenty years.
May 11, 2000, marked the end of a 113-year journey and the first steps toward a brighter future. The Nisg̱a’a Final Agreement is the first treaty in British Columbia to provide constitutional certainty in respect of an Indigenous people’s Section 35 right to self-government.
The Treaty recognizes Nisga’a Lands (2,000 square kilometres), secures Nisg̱a’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 development of the Nisg̱a’a Nation’s natural resources — benefiting the Nisg̱a’a, as well as their fellow British Columbians and Canadians.
An example of hope, trust and co-operation, the Nisg̱a’a Final Agreement is being studied by governments and Indigenous peoples the world over.
Premier Horgan made note of the historical date yesterday as well and offered his best wishes to the Nisga'a Nation on the 20th anniversary.
“Twenty years is a significant milestone. An entire generation of Nisg̱a’a young people have grown up as members of a self-governing treaty nation. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic means we can’t be together to recognize this special day for the Nisga’a community and the Province, but in honour of Nisg̱a’a Day and the government-to-government relationship we’ve built together over two decades, the Nisga’a flag is flying in the Hall of Honour at the B.C. Parliament Buildings. I thank the Nisg̱a’a Lisims Government for its leadership and congratulate all Nisga’a people on this anniversary.”
The Nisga'a Nation currently includes more than 7,600 residents in the Nass Valley, with a number of members also located in the Terrace and Prince Rupert/Port Edward area as well as those living throughout the Lower Mainland region.
Monday was to be a day of celebration in the Nass Valley, but owing to the COVID pandemic, plans for a Special Assembly of the Nisga'a Nation will now take place at some date in the future
The Nisg̱a’a Nation’s biennial Special Assembly of the Nisg̱a’a Nation was scheduled to take place May 11 – 15, 2020 in the Nisg̱a’a Village of Lax̱g̱alts’ap, however due to a world wide pandemic known as Novel Coronavirus, or COVID-19 – the planned 20th Nisg̱a’a Day celebration could not take place and the Special Assembly has been postponed to a later date.
Eva Clayton, President of the Nisga'a Lisims Government, paid tribute to the work of many generations over the last century who laid the foundation of the Agreement of twenty years ago.
“On this special milestone day, may we remember the generations of Nisg̱a’a men and women who worked tirelessly over 113 years for the just and honourable settlement we achieved on May 11, 2000. May we continue to work steadfastly for the prosperity and improved quality of life of Nisg̱a’a for generations yet to come.”
The Nisga'a Lisims Government's Facebook page provides some of the greetings delivered on Nisga'a Day, including those of the Prime Minister, Governor General and Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia.
You can learn more about the Nisga'a Final Agreement here.
Some of the notes of the 20th anniversary can be explored from our archive page here.
Cross posted from the North Coast Review.
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