Introduction to the BC Treaty Process

The treaty process now under way in BC dates back to 1990. That's when First Nations leaders and the governments of Canada and British Columbia jointly established a task force to find ways to fairly resolve Aboriginal land claims.

In 1991, the BC Claims Task Force filed its report    . Its 19 recommendations were subsequently accepted by all parties and formed the blueprint for a made-in-BC treaty process. In December 1993, the British Columbia Treaty Commission   – an independent, neutral body that oversees the treaty process – opened its doors. First Nations were then invited to submit statements of intent to negotiate treaties.