HOW MUCH LAND IN BC IS UP FOR NEGOTIATION?
When a First Nation enters the BC treaty process they submit a statement of intent outlining their traditional territory-land occupied historically. This traditional territory establishes the parameters for land to be included in a final treaty. For most First Nations, treaty settlement lands – area of land that will be owned and managed by First Nations pursuant to a treaty – will likely comprise only a percentage of their traditional territory. For example, land included within the Nisga’a Treaty comprises approximately eight per cent of the nation’s traditional territory. Because First Nations culture and spiritually is intrinsically tied to their traditional territory, treaties will likely also include co-management rights on traditional territory outside of treaty settlement land. Many First Nations are already participating in collaborative land-use planning processes like the Central Coast Land Resource Management Plan. For a visual overview of First Nations’ traditional territo
