Welcome to the Province of British Columbia’s website for B.C. Treaties.

The government of British Columbia is currently in negotiations with 47 First Nations groups under the B.C. Treaty Commission process. This process brings together First Nations, British Columbia and Canada to establish certainty over rights to Crown land and resources through the negotiation of treaties.

In addition to improving the quality of life for Aboriginal people, treaties will stimulate investment, create jobs and expand economic opportunities throughout the province. Every treaty signed opens new doors to greater prosperity for all British Columbians.

Find out more about current treaties, the treaty process and what treaties will accomplish in British Columbia.

Landmark Maa-nulth Treaty Implemented

Members of the five First Nations of the Maa-nulth Treaty approached the Legislature to witness the historic ratification of their treaty by the B.C. government in 2007. On April 1, 2011 their treaty becomes a reality.

The first treaty on Vancouver Island and the first multi-nation treaty negotiated under the British Columbia Treaty Commission process with the First Nations of the Maa-nulth Treaty, took effect at 12:01 am on April 1, 2011.

The First Nations of the Maa-nulth Treaty, the Huu-ay-aht, Uchucklesaht, Toquaht, Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’/Che:k’tles7et’h and Yuʔłuʔiłʔatḥ First Nation (formerly Ucluelet First Nation) are located on the west coast of Vancouver Island.

Under the treaty, the five First Nations will be self-governing for the first time and it will provide them with payments, settlements and other funds to help build their communities future. These include a capital transfer of $73.1 million, annual resource revenue payments projected to be $1.2 million for 25 years and a land package totalling approximately 24,550 hectares to the five First Nations. Huu-ay-aht First Nations will receive an additional revenue payment of $900,000 over a period of five years.

The First Nations will have land and capacity to develop businesses in a variety of economic and resource sectors.

The treaty provides capital to build community and residential infrastructure for the future, as well as land for cultural tourism opportunities, and other economic development plans. The Maa-nulth First Nations have developed exciting plans for economic development that will create jobs and opportunities for their community and neighbours.

The treaty will provide significant self-government powers to allow the First Nations to tailor programs to better support their families and communities. The treaty will remove the First Nations from the constraint of the federal Indian act and provide significant self government authorities regarding family service, education, health and other programs that will directly benefit MNA families;

Self-government funding agreements from B.C. and Canada will provide $88.8 million over the first eight years.

Like all treaties, the Maa-nulth treaty helps address economic and social injustices by providing First Nations with the authority to manage their own affairs and become less dependent on government support. Uncertainty over ownership of land impedes the development of Aboriginal communities and economies, affects the provincial economy and discourages investment. By bringing certainty to land and resource rights, treaties maximize opportunities for economic development and job creation for all British Columbians.

The First Nations of the Maa-nulth Treaty entered treaty negotiations in 1993 and initialled a Final Agreement with B.C. and Canada in December 2006.

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