Kathyn Teneese on Breakdown of the Treaty Process

Premier Clark Just Broke More than the Treaty Process

http://www.thetyee.ca/Opinion/2015/04/04/Premier-Clark-Just-Broke-More-Than-Treaty-Process/

Her recent moves risk a generation of effort, collaboration and goodwill.

By Kathryn Teneese, 4 Apr 2015, TheTyee.ca 

When Premier Christy Clark came to visit the Ktunaxa Nation Government Building last summer, she was all smiles. It was the first time we hosted a premier in our new government building. We had recently purchased the former headquarters of a forestry company that was bought out and no longer operates in our territory. There were smiles, handshakes and photos, too, and while we were not able to discuss anything substantive, we had a forum for discussions.

With the Premier's recent decision to pull support for the new Chief Commissioner of the BC Treaty Commission, no one is smiling now. There are more things that are broken than the treaty process in B.C. The province has broken trust and broken our relationship. Premier Clark is dangerously close to cutting the last thread of goodwill with First Nations, squandering a generation of effort to settle old partisan scores -- or was it a "principled policy decision?" As far as we're concerned, neither is helpful.
What we are left with is a reality that the Ktunaxa Nation, currently in stage four of the six-stage treaty process, could be minus one partner at the negotiation table. ......

The cloud of uncertainty that hangs over the province's economy has once again grown darker with the reckless decision to scuttle the treaty process without any discussions with the partners to the tripartite process.
The Premier's recent actions do not appear to be supportive of treaties, reconciliation or First Nations. This is evidenced by her government's support of projects like Site C and the Jumbo Glacier Resort, which are egregiously detrimental to First Nations' lives and culture.
She has seriously damaged any relationships that may have existed in Indian country, and that is a major liability for a province seeking economic development and for a society committed to social justice, recognition and reconciliation.

To read the entire article go to the link above.