SIX STAGES OF THE TREATY PROCESS
Te’mexw Treaty Association is currently in the middle of Stage Four of the BC Treaty Process of Negotiations.
STAGE ONE:
Statement of Intent – a First Nation or a group of First Nations come together with a shared sense of identity, language, laws and customs among the First Nation or group.
The First Nation or governing body, however this may be established, must be within their traditional territory in British Columbia. Also, to enter the BC Treaty Process, the First Nation or Group has to be mandated by its people to enter into negotiations on their behalf with Canada and British Columbia.
Once this has been completed the Organizing body of the First Nation must submit a Statement of Intent, which describes the Traditional Territory, some historic description of the Traditional Territory once this is submitted and accepted you will move to the next stage of negotiations.
STAGE TWO:
Readiness Assessment – all three parties, Canada, BC and the First Nation will have an initial meeting. Each will submit a readiness submission. The BC Treaty Commission will assess each submission and come up with the conclusion of whether each party is ready to proceed.
STAGE THREE:
Framework Agreement Negotiations – is a negotiated agenda on what will be discussed and negotiated in Stage four. This will set up subjects, objectives and establish timelines for these negotiations.
STAGE FOUR:
Agreement in Principle – this is where negotiations begin to take place and will create the foundation on what the Final Treaty will look like. This will also set forth, agreed upon recommendations by the Negotiators from each party. These recommendations are not legally binding. They also require the final approval from each of the Parties principals. For the First Nation the Agreement in Principle states that YOUR Chief & Council will set up an approval process. This very much could be by way of BCR. Remembering that this stage is NOT legally binding
STAGE FIVE:
Final Agreement Negotiations – these is where the final tweaking of the Agreement in Principal work will be done.
STAGE SIX:
Implementation of the Final Agreement – Once the Final Agreement is ratified by the membership – the final stage is Implementation of the Treaty.