Wuikinuxv First Nation
(formerly Oweekeno Nation)
Background
Negotiating status
: Negotiating a comprehensive treaty settlement within the British Columbia Treaty Commission six-stage treaty process.
Negotiating affiliation
: Negotiating independently with Canada and British Columbia. Affiliated with the Oweekeno-Kitasoo-Nuxalk Tribal Council.
The Kitasoo/Xai’xais Nation is also negotiating a comprehensive treaty as part of the Tsimshian First Nations treaty group. The Nuxalk Nation is not involved in the treaty process.
Location
: On the Wannock (also Wanook, Wanuk) River, between Rivers Inlet and Owikeno Lake, approximately 80 km from Bella Bella, on B.C.'s Central Coast. Main community is on Katit Indian Reserve #1. (Three reserves on 712.8 hectares.)
Total band members
: 274 (Source: Registered Indian Population by Sex and Residence April 2007, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada)
Negotiations
The Wulkinuxv First Nation entered the treaty process in December 1993 and is currently in Stage 4 of the treaty process, negotiating an agreement in principle (AIP).
In April 2005, the Wuikinuxv Nation received $47,500 in funding for a Treaty Related Measure (TRM) to identify land parcels for consideration in treaty negotiations. The Wuikinuxv recently completed a two year Fisheries Study with TRM funding of $150,000. New TRM funding of $50,000 has been provided to Wuikinuxv to study the effects of ocean dumping on shellfish and Wuikinuxv’s traditional harvest in the area of Penrose Island.
Other Activities
In February 2004, the Wuikinuxv First Nation joined three other mid and north-coast First Nations - Haisla, Heiltsuk and Kitasoo/Xai’xais - in signing a forest and range agreement. The agreement provides revenue sharing tenure opportunities over five years. The Wuikinuxv’s share of the agreement includes $625,000 in forest revenues and access to 60,000 cubic metres of timber in the Mid-Coast Timber Supply Area.
In January 2007, the province signed government-to-government agreements with the Wuikinuxv and Kitasoo/Xai’xais First Nations for the collaborative management of new and existing conservancies and protected areas on the central coast of British Columbia. The Wuikinuxv and Kitasoo territories lie in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest on the central coast of British Columbia. Wuikinuxv territory encompasses two existing and 11 new conservancies. There are five existing protected areas in Kitasoo/Xai'xais territory, and 10 new conservancies, including the Kitasoo Spirit Bear Conservancy on Princess Royal Island. New and existing protected areas will total about 20 per cent of the Wuikinuxv Nation territory and over 50 per cent of the Kitasoo/Xai’xais Nation territory.
Both Collaborative Management Agreements for conservancies and protected areas focus on park planning, identifying and developing economic activities, building capacity, and creating a forum for both parties to discuss issues of common interest. Through agreements like this, B.C. works together with First Nations to ensure the long-term ecological and cultural integrity of the lands and resources in First Nations’ traditional territories.
Planned Meetings
As dates are established for open public meetings, they will be publicized through the localmedia and posted on the B.C. Treaty Commission Website Negotiations Calendar.
|
Final Agreements
Principle
