It’s been 25 years since the first modern-day treaty in B.C. came into effect, releasing the Nisga’a Nation from the bounds of the Indian Act and allowing it to make its own decisions for its land and people.
Brought into force on May 11, 2000, the landmark Nisga’a Treaty has been seen by many as a major milestone on the path to reconciliation in B.C.
It was also the first treaty in Canada to directly recognize a First Nation’s inherent right to self-government.
Andrew Robinson, CEO of the Nisga’a Lisims government, remembers that May day as one of joy and celebration.
“Our nation gathered together and sang a song that the Nisga’a canoe has landed,” he told On The Coast host Gloria Makarenko.
“[It] was fitting for that moment in time to pay respect and homage to all of those that spent 113 years fighting for our right to self-governance — hence the number of the Nisga’a Highway that our treaty partners, British Columbia and Canada, had agreed to: Highway 113.”
The Nisga’a Nation was the first to sign a modern treaty in B.C.
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Gary Anandasangaree said in a news release Friday that “this milestone represents not only the strength and vision of Nisga’a leadership but also the lasting impact of treaty partnerships rooted in respect, recognition and self-determination.”
Impact of the treaty, 25 years later
The treaty included land title to about 2,000 square kilometers of land in B.C.’s Nass Valley, northwest of Terrace, and almost $200 million in compensation.
It also opened the door to joint economic initiatives and development between the nation and the province. Robinson says if the impact were calculated, it would probably amount to billions of dollars contributed to the local, national and global economies.
The nation created Canada’s first Indigenous-owned mining royalty company, which brings together various Indigenous communities and investors. They’re also one of three partners on the proposed Ksi Lisims LNG project.
Beyond control of their own land and resources, the treaty also allowed the nation to run their own schools and health services. And, it freed them from the rules of the Indian Act.
Robinson says many young people in their community today have never experienced life under the Indian Act.
“They only know what Nisga’a Lisims government is, the government for their people,” he said.
Self-governance provides certainty
Robinson says the treaty has provided certainty and clarity for their nation, but also for others.
“We’re making the nation and making the region stronger,” he said.
“It doesn’t only provide certainty to British Columbians and Canadians, it provides certainty to the global community that the relationship is actually healing through these self-government agreements.”
B.C. Premier David Eby said in a news release Friday that the treaty marked a turning point in B.C.’s history, calling it a foundational, future-forward document.
“Reflecting on the past 25 years, we have achieved so much as treaty partners, and we will continue working collaboratively to realize our goals with the treaty as our guide — partnerships are the path to progress,” he said. “I thank the Nisg̱a’a Lisims Government for their leadership and congratulate all Nisg̱a’a citizens on this anniversary.”
Robinson says the economic, social development and educational opportunities provided through self-governance have made space for a clear path forward, and helped maintain relationships between the Nisga’a Nation and the neighbouring communities of Terrace, Prince Rupert, Kitimat and Smithers.
“We feel that reconciliaction was executed when we were provided our right to self-governance, and we carry that out today with our due diligence, to the best of our ability.”
