And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Fri, 11 Jun 1999 12:15:44 EDT For Immediate Release May 26, 1999 Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs B.C., CANADA AND MCLEOD LAKE BAND SETTLE LAND CLAIM VICTORIA - The governments of B.C. and Canada and the McLeod Lake Indian Band have reached a negotiated agreement that will settle the litigation and long-standing dispute over the band's claim for land and other benefits of Treaty No. 8. In a statement in the legislature today, Aboriginal Affairs Minister Gordon Wilson said the agreement will result in McLeod Lake Indian band members signing Treaty No. 8, an historic treaty signed in 1899. "The agreement further demonstrates our commitment to resolve outstanding land claims in B.C.," said Wilson. "Negotiated agreements are clearly the most effective means of reconciling aboriginal and non-aboriginal interests. I look forward to the conclusion of the McLeod Lake settlement process in the months ahead." The agreement settles a lawsuit, initiated by the band in 1983, which resulted in an injunction in 1988 against logging in the area claimed by the band. "The agreement will benefit the regional economy and create land-use certainty and economic stability for the McLeod Lake Indian band, the forestry sector and local communities," said Prince George North MLA Paul Ramsey. The agreement was negotiated as settlement to litigation and was not negotiated as part of the British Columbia Treaty Commission comprehensive claims process. All three parties will initial the agreement within the next three months. After it is initialled, the agreement will be ratified by the band within 45 days, by the B.C. government within 30 days after the band ratifies the agreement and by Canada within three months. The three parties will formally sign the agreement following ratification. -30- Note: The minister's statement is available on the ministry Web site at http://www.aaf.gov.bc.ca/aaf/news/Mcleodminst.htm. The Draft Final Agreement is available at http://www.aaf.gov.bc.ca/aaf/treaty/mlfinaldraft.htm Contact: Peter Smith Communications Br. (250) 356-8750 Reprinted under the fair use http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html doctrine of international copyright law. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit) Unenh onhwa' Awayaton http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
