By Edward HILL The Chronicle
May 16 2006
Cowichan Valley area First Nations are going to be granted co-management rights over the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, the Chronicle has learned.
The six bands within the Ladysmith-based Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group (HTG), and the HTG itself, are expected to sign an agreement Saturday in Duncan with MP Mark Warawa, a parliamentary secretary acting on behalf of the Parks Canada Agency.
The formal agreement provides a framework for consultation, planning and management between the Gulf Islands National Park staff and representatives from the Chemainus, Cowichan, Halalt, Lake Cowichan, Lyackson and Penelakut First Nations.
The Gulf Islands National Park, established in 2003, is 35 square kilometres of land and 26 square kilometres of ocean scattered among 15 islands, including Saturna, Pender and Sidney.
The park falls within the territory under treaty negotiation by the HTG and the federal and provincial governments.
Brian Thom, senior negotiations support to the HTG and architect of the agreement, said shared management of a federal park will provide a glimpse into the post-treaty world.
“It’s a significant step. This extends Hul’qumi’num authority to the greater world, into territory other than the reserves,” Thom said. “This is implementing the spirit of what we hope to get in a final treaty.”
For the six participating First Nations, Thom said the agreement will be an exercise in devising management strategies and delegating authority, all necessary structures for future self-governance.
Thom said the agreement is a direct result of a 2004 Supreme Court of Canada ruling that said the federal and provincial governments have a legal obligation to consult and accommodate First Nations.
When the agreement is signed, representatives from the Hul’qumi’num First Nations and the park superintendent will be required work collaboratively on common park issues.
The wording of the agreement hasn’t been released, but Thom said new campgrounds, burial and midden sites, and aboriginal cultural centres would be within the mandate of a joint committee.
“This is a powerful mechanism to have a voice in the park,” Thom said. “I expect a lot of people will be watching how this works.”
Steve Langdon, Parks Canada superintendent for coastal B.C., said the park has been working with local First Nations for the past year, but this agreement creates a formal relationship.
“It is a forum for dialogue. It is partly structured around building relationships with First Nations,” Langdon said. “It’s also about looking at common issues and approaches that reflect both our interests.”