Objectives

Work toward treaties province-wide with First Nations and Canada following the six-stage British Columbia Treaty Commission (BCTC) process and using provincial resources of regional negotiating teams, a strategic planning branch and a provincial team responsible for treaty-related issues involving the federal government, First Nations Summit and BCTC

Achievements

• Negotiated with Canada and First Nations at 47 treaty tables across the province
• Completed Stage 2 (readiness) negotiations with 33 First Nations
• Completed Stage 3 (framework) negotiations with nine First Nations
• Entered into Stage 4 (agreement-in-principle) negotiations with eight First Nations

• Consulted with RACs and LACs throughout the province. Met with TACs in 14 regions and representatives of those committees participated on provincial caucuses and negotiating teams

• Reached agreement with Canada, in September 1995, to complete the implementation of the cost-sharing agreement

• Signed the Nisga’a Agreement-in-Principle on March 22, 1996

• Five tables (Gitanyow, Haisla, Heiltsuk, Oweekeno and Tsimshian) declared ready to negotiate
• Initialled Framework Agreements with Gitanyow and Wet’suwet’en
• Signed Framework Agreements with Gitxsan and Wet’suwet’en (negotiations with the Gitxsan and Wet’suwet’sen First Nations were formally suspended later due to the ongoing Delgamuukw litigation)
• Signed a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding with the Wet’suwet’en
• Signed over-arching Memorandum of Understanding with the Tsimshian

• Four tables (In-SHUCK-ch/N’Quatqua, Ts’kw’aylaxw, Westbank and Xaxli’p) declared ready to negotiate
• Initialled Framework Agreement with Westbank

• Six tables (Homalco, Musqueam, Sliammon, Tsleil-Waututh, Tsawwassen and Yale) declared ready to negotiate
• Initialled Framework Agreement with Homalco
• Signed Framework Agreement with Sechelt
• Signed Openness Protocols with Squamish Nation and Tsleil-Waututh

• Two tables (Nanaimo and Te’Mexw) declared ready to negotiate
• Initialled and signed Framework Agreements with Ditidaht and Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council

• Six tables (Carrier Sekani, Kaska Dena, Lheit’Lit’en, Tahltan, Taku River Tlingit, Tsay Keh Dene and Yekooche) declared ready to negotiate
• Initialled and signed Framework Agreement with Kaska Dena Council

Objectives

Focus on non-treaty policies and cross-ministry initiatives affecting government’s relationship with aboriginal people

Achievements

• Concluded negotiations with the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs leading to opening of Institute for Indigenous Government in Vancouver
• Organized meeting of provincial/territorial deputy ministers of aboriginal affairs in Victoria
• Implemented the first year of a tripartite research project on education governance models with Canada and the First Nations Summit
• Assisted with the development of a policy framework on aboriginal post-secondary education
• Co-ordinated provincial government response to the Clayoquot Scientific Panel Report on First Nations perspective
• Assisted with the development of a provincial government position on Canada’s proposal for a First Nations framework agreement on land management
• Provided assistance and advice on policy direction relating to First Nations participation in land use planning processes
• Assisted ministries in developing specific guidelines for implementing the Crown Lands Activities and Aboriginal Rights Policy Framework

Objectives

Prepare public policy statements relating to treaty negotiations

Achievements

• Posted the following documents on the ministry’s Internet site:
-British Columbia's Approach to Treaty Settlements
-British Columbia's Approach to Treaty Settlements - Lands and Resources
-British Columbia's Approach to Treaty Settlements - Fiscal Arrangements
-British Columbia's Approach to Treaty Settlements - Self-Government

• Completed province-wide mandates for treaty negotiators, in the areas of lands and resources, self-government, fiscal arrangements and general treaty policy

• Developed negotiating mandates, as required, for several negotiating tables

• Provided expertise on governance, fiscal, and land and resources issues, at negotiation sessions as required
• Reviewed policy documents, speaking and other materials used by treaty negotiators

• Reviewed draft treaty policies and mandates with the Treaty Negotiations Advisory Committee (TNAC)

Objectives

Participated in a number of issue specific negotiations between the Province and First Nations

Achievements

• Facilitated the resolution of various acts of civil disobedience
• Settled the Songhees Specific Claim to Chatham Island, including the transfer of Chatham Island to the First Nation
• Administered the First Nations Environment Fund
• Settled the Scheidam Flats Specific Claim with the Kamloops First Nation

Objectives

Negotiate and deliver a variety of programs and services designed to strengthen the economic and social capacity of aboriginal people in the province

Achievements

• Negotiated with the Wet’suwet’en, Sechelt First Nations, Ditidaht Indian Band Elders and off-reserve and Metis groups on a series of health, governance, education and business issues

• Created training, employment and economic opportunities to enhance aboriginal participation in major provincial initiatives including: Vancouver Island Highway Project, Duke Point Ferry Terminal and Forest Renewal BC
• Concluded a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding with the Presidents’ Council, a coalition of urban aboriginal groups
• Facilitated discussions related to the RCMP investigation of residential schools in B.C.
• Assisted with the development of an elections process for Metis

• Implemented the remaining recommendations of the Select Standing Committee of Aboriginal Affairs regarding the First Citizens’ Fund Business Loan Program
• Provided a total of $110,000 to fund program directors in all 21 friendship centres and assist the B.C. Association of Indian Friendship Centres. The Business Advisory Officer pilot program continued with the branch funding an officer in friendship centres in Vancouver, Prince George and Fort Nelson-Liard
• Facilitated 103 loans to aboriginal businesses totalling $3.4 million through the Business Loan Program
• Provided 112 student bursaries totalling $130,000 to aboriginal students attending post-secondary institutions
• Provided 22 elders’ organizations with assistance to attend cultural or educational gatherings

Objectives

Raise British Columbia’s awareness and understanding of treaty negotiations and aboriginal issues through communications planning, public information and education materials, public education activities, public information meetings, an Internet information site, a toll-free information line, design services and issues management, media monitoring and media relations

Achievements

Nisga’a Agreement-in-Principle (AIP):

• Produced and distributed 28,300 copies of the full AIP
• Wrote, published and distributed 31,000 copies of the AIP summary
• Distributed information to a total of 79 briefings, public information meetings and stakeholder meetings
• Established an Internet information site and posted full AIP materials
• Responded to 2,616 calls on the toll-free information line
• Facilitated eight public meetings
• Conducted province-wide advertising campaign and regional television advertising campaign

Other:

• Published Quick Facts About Treaties booklet
• Produced Treaty Impacts --A Global View video and treaty table videos
• Co-sponsored information sessions for universities, colleges and community leaders with Simon Fraser University
• Launched a Treaty Outreach project in Prince George
• Produced Key Legal Decisions binder and distributed to depository libraries
• Strengthened regional communications by providing communications coverage for every table in the province
• Produced a series of fact sheets on various treaty-related topics
• Released Benefits and Costs of Treaty Settlements in British Columbia report
• Released Social and Economic Impacts of Aboriginal Land Claim Settlements report
• Enhanced awareness of approximately 2,300 provincial government employees in Victoria and the Lower Mainland through Aboriginal Issues Information Sessions
• Produced 35 news releases
• Responded to 3,600 inquiries on the toll-free information line
• Designed and facilitated one-day cross-cultural workshops
• Published five regional newspaper inserts

• Advertised main table sessions in local newspapers and through media notices, pamphlets and householders· Analyzed local and regional information needs through community interaction and informal surveys· Informed local media of progress in negotiations and facilitated media relations with negotiators· Worked with community organizations to conduct public meetings· Prepared and distributed news releases in conjunction with First Nations and federal representatives

• Prepared speaking notes and arranged briefings, media interviews and speaking engagements for the minister and deputy minister as part of tour arrangements.

• Held public forums and media workshops throughout the province
• Undertook and co-ordinated a series of cross-cultural forums
• Set up and co-ordinated a speakers bureau on aboriginal issues

Objectives

Provide provincial and regional third party and local government consultation in support of treaty negotiations to ensure stakeholder groups that may be directly affected by treaty negotiations have an opportunity to be involved

Achievements

• Established 13 Regional Advisory Committees (RACs) and four Local Advisory Committees (LACs) in cooperation with the federal government. RACs: West Vancouver Island, South Vancouver Island, Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley, Bulkley-Skeena, Kitimat-Skeena, Central Coast, Northern, Northern-Interior, Lillooet-Fraser, Cariboo, Desolation Sound and Okanagan. LACs: Central Coast, Babine, Atlin and Pemberton
• Consulted regularly with local government Treaty Advisory Committees (TACs) in 14 regions and representatives of those committees participated on provincial caucuses and negotiating teams
• Negotiated provincial contribution agreements to provide financial support to TACs totalling $250,000 and start-up support was provided to a pilot storefront office in Smithers
• Assisted the minister in his meetings with stakeholder groups during a fall tour of the province

• Coordinated regular meetings of the Treaty Negotiation Advisory Committee (TNAC) and its four sectoral committees during the spring, fall and winter months to work on policy issues such as environmental assessment, land and resources, fisheries and self government as well as interim measures and the ongoing operation of the British Columbia Treaty Commission
• Coordinated a self evaluation of TNAC, involving members and officials of both governments. The evaluation found TNAC to be “somewhat effective in carrying out its mandate” and provided recommendations ranging from “develop tighter focus on pending work” to “provide more feedback on where TNAC advice is and is not being taken”. Overall, the evaluation indicated that TNAC members felt their work with the committee had been useful and that every effort should be made to help it deal with the pending load of additional work.
• Coordinated six special TNAC meetings from July through February, including a pre-announcement briefing, to discuss the Nisga’a Agreement-in-Principle, initialled in February

Objectives

Provide financial planning and policy support to the ministry through financial operations, and corporate services for space and facilities, telecommunications, office supplies, postal and furniture costs, asset management and administrative policies and procedures

Achievements

• Managed ministry finances and administration in an effective and efficient manner, providing ongoing accounts processing, financial planning and financial advice to the ministry
• Co-ordinated moves to locate Human Resources Branch, Finance Branch and part of Information Management to 908 Pandora Avenue
• Completed ministry specific policies and procedures for Finance and Administration
• Co-ordinated conversion to the Corporate Human Resource Information and Payroll system (CHIPS)

Objectives

Provide a full range of personnel support services in a number of areas including staffing, classification, organization development, employment equity and occupational health and safety

Achievements

• Implemented ministry staffing plan, completing the ministry’s permanent staffing recruitment· Developed performance planning process
• Developed training and development planning process
• Completed Employment Equity Plan and Employment Systems Review
• Completed conversion to Corporate Human Resource Information and Payroll System (CHIPS) including the integration of human resource, payroll and leave support functions
• Completed an employee orientation program and provided orientation materials to all employees

Objectives

Information Systems Section: Provide information systems in support of the ministry

Achievements

• Established a formal Help Desk service
• Established an implementation plan for projects identified in the ministry’s Information Resource Management Plan
• Implemented a dial-up service to the ministry’s network to enable staff to connect to shared files
• Converted the ministry’s word processor to an integrated office suite
• Implemented a systems lifecycle replacement program and allocation criteria to ensure that staff have adequate systems technology to satisfy their requirements
• Managed the move of information systems during space reallocations within the ministry

• Provided base maps, line agency overlays and satellite images to five tables

• Negotiated an information cost-sharing protocol with Canada which calls for Canada and BC to cost share 60/40 for information supplied to tripartite treaty tables

• Provided information to three tripartite information workshops

• Acquired digital mapping hardware and software for data integration and map production

• Received and responded to 66 requests for information under the act
• Answered 90 requests for advice from other ministries responding to requests under the act involving First Nations
• Provided advice and assistance to ministry branches and divisions in the implementation of the government-wide standard records classification systems of ARCS and ORCS
• Provided training to ministry staff on their responsibilities under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Document Disposal Act
• Established a ministry resource centre for the management of library resources within the ministry

Grants and Contributions

Operating Costs

Asset Acquisitions

36%

24%

2%