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We Wai Kai, province sign agreement towards treaty

The We Wai Kai Nation and the provincial government have signed an agreement.

This agreement moves the First Nation and the province towards a treaty. 

According to a statement from the province, the agreement embraces a modern and innovative approach to modern treaty negotiations, and promises to create early economic development for the the We Wai Kai. 

The Incremental Treaty Agreement will return approximately 3, 075 hectares of land in the Lower Campbell Lake to the We Wai Kai. Having the land back will help increase the Nation’s participation in the local forest economy, ensuring long-term benefits for the community. 

“We have been at the Treaty Table for a long time and we know that it is important to demonstrate that Treaties are more than just words,” We Wai Kai Nation chief Brian Assu said. 

“We are building a strong presence in the forest economy and owning and managing large private land parcels is an important move forward that will benefit our citizens for generations. It is also a step toward strengthening our relationship with government, putting court challenges behind us and building a future with everyone in our territory.”

The ITA delivers benefits in advance of the full treaty. It’s also an important milestone in treaty negotiations between the First Nation and the provincial and federal governments. 

“This Agreement is a positive and important step in a long, complex Treaty negotiation process,” North Island MLA Claire Trevena said. 

“It returns control of a substantial portion of Territory to We Wai Kai, which now has the ability to shape positive economic outcomes for its community, which will benefit the entire region.”

More information on the treaty negotiation process is available at this link.

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