TOQUAHT FIRST NATION

 

Today we are tabling an offer to the Federal and Provincial Governments for the settlement of the land question.

 

We do not believe that it is productive to table an offer that is not close to being where settlement may lie and therefore we have tabled something that we can live with.

 

The Nisga'a process for offers should not be followed. We believe our offer is not unreasonable when compared to the lands acquired under the Pre-Emption Act (by everybody except Indians and Chinese) because of the discriminatory nature of that legislation. We believe this offer will help right the wrong that was done at the time that pre-emption was taking place.

 

Land was calculated according to population and our population was greater at the time of the pre-emption legislation than it is now. The following is our land offer:

 

114 square kilometres

 

In addition, a 50/50 share of stumpage royalties/rent is required from the various logging companies operating in Toquaht traditional territory.

 

Toquaht First Nation would also seek an agreement which would:

 

á        Provide Toquaht the opportunity to co-manage fisheries/shellfish/aquaculture activities in Toquaht traditional territories

á        Provide Toquaht the opportunity to manage the MoF campground at Toquaht Bay.

 

In recognition that much work has already been done in our negotiation, we believe that we can quickly achieve an Agreement in Principle if we can find satisfactory answers to the issues of management off treaty lands, extinguishment, fisheries, and taxation.