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1. 1 Tsawwassen First Nation: Opening for Business Presentation to Delta Chamber of Commerce
November 21, 2007
2. 2 Outline TFN at a Glance
Notable events in TFN’s History
TFN Treaty: Basics
TFN Treaty: Governance Context
Current Planning Activities
Strategic Plan
Community & Land Use Plan
Infrastructure Plan
Development opportunities for TFN
TFN Needs Partners!
TFN People
Moving Forward
3. 3 Population: 675 people on TFN lands
Membership: 360 members
Size: 662 hectares (post-treaty)
Major land components: TFN communal land; CP land; Stahaken subdivision; Tsatsu Shores condominium complex; Beach lots
Location: Most of TFN land between Hwy. 17 (Tsawwassen ferry highway) and Deltaport way (to Roberts Bank terminal)? TFN at a Glance
Membership: Not all of these members live on Tsawwassen lands. Approximately 55% on current reserve lands, 45% live off Tsawwassen Lands. There are sizeable membership groups in Bellingham and the Okanagan Valley
The 662 hectares of land is the land that Tsawwassen will own in a fee simple capacity. TFN will also have first right of refusal for 80 years on 278 hectares of Brunswick Point lands.
In addition, there are smaller pieces of lands, totalling 62 hectares, called the Boundary Bay and Fraser River parcels. These will be owned by TFN but Delta will continue to control and manage these lands.
Membership: Not all of these members live on Tsawwassen lands. Approximately 55% on current reserve lands, 45% live off Tsawwassen Lands. There are sizeable membership groups in Bellingham and the Okanagan Valley
The 662 hectares of land is the land that Tsawwassen will own in a fee simple capacity. TFN will also have first right of refusal for 80 years on 278 hectares of Brunswick Point lands.
In addition, there are smaller pieces of lands, totalling 62 hectares, called the Boundary Bay and Fraser River parcels. These will be owned by TFN but Delta will continue to control and manage these lands.
4. 4 Notable events in TFN’s history Southwest Coast of B.C. occupied for 9,000 years.
Evidence of activity at Tsawwassen for 4000 years
Traditional lifestyle based on hunting, fishing, farming,
Trade and barter system in place in intricately woven society along SW Coast
1871: Tsawwassen reserve established
Creating ‘postage stamp reserve’ in traditional territory
1914: Chief Harry Joe petitions for larger reserve; request denied
1958: Massey Tunnel, Hwy 17, and BC Ferries terminal built
No consultation; Causeway and highway cut TFN reserve in half
1914: This is how long ago our ‘treaty process’ – attempts to reconcile past grievances – started. We have been at this ever since – this treaty is the culmination of 100 years of patience, persistence, and self-determination in overcoming the many challenges along the way.
1958: TFN began ‘getting in the way’. The Hwy 17 construction tore down our longhouse and runs through our traditional village site.
1968: Two causeway wrecked what used to be a rich intertidal flat that provided bounties of shellfish; it is now a swampy marsh with no tidal flow.
1990: It took B.C. about 100 years longer than any other Canadian province to agree to begin recognizing aboriginal rights and title.
2004: A good agreement for TFN in that it provides the basis for participation in many development opportunities that will flow from projected port expansion. The opportunities are so large that they will need to be shared and supported by the entire South Delta community.
2007: This is the hope for a fresh start, fresh relations with all our partners.
1914: This is how long ago our ‘treaty process’ – attempts to reconcile past grievances – started. We have been at this ever since – this treaty is the culmination of 100 years of patience, persistence, and self-determination in overcoming the many challenges along the way.
1958: TFN began ‘getting in the way’. The Hwy 17 construction tore down our longhouse and runs through our traditional village site.
1968: Two causeway wrecked what used to be a rich intertidal flat that provided bounties of shellfish; it is now a swampy marsh with no tidal flow.
1990: It took B.C. about 100 years longer than any other Canadian province to agree to begin recognizing aboriginal rights and title.
2004: A good agreement for TFN in that it provides the basis for participation in many development opportunities that will flow from projected port expansion. The opportunities are so large that they will need to be shared and supported by the entire South Delta community.
2007: This is the hope for a fresh start, fresh relations with all our partners.
5. 5 Notable events in TFN’s history 1968: Roberts Bank Superport built
No consultation; ferry and port causeways destroy nourishing tidal flat.
1990: B.C. agrees to enter treaty negotiations with First Nations
1993: TFN enters into B.C. Treaty Process
2003: TFN enters agreement-in-principle with BC and Canada
2004: TFN enters agreement with VPA
Mitigation for past wrongs, and accomodation for further development.
2007: TFN agrees to treaty with British Columbia and Canada
Addresses and reconciles past grievances
New life for Tsawwassen people
1914: This is how long ago our ‘treaty process’ – attempts to reconcile past grievances – started. We have been at this ever since – this treaty is the culmination of 100 years of patience, persistence, and self-determination in overcoming the many challenges along the way.
1958: TFN began ‘getting in the way’. The Hwy 17 construction tore down our longhouse and runs through our traditional village site.
1968: Two causeway wrecked what used to be a rich intertidal flat that provided bounties of shellfish; it is now a swampy marsh with no tidal flow.
1990: It took B.C. about 100 years longer than any other Canadian province to agree to begin recognizing aboriginal rights and title.
2004: A good agreement for TFN in that it provides the basis for participation in many development opportunities that will flow from projected port expansion. The opportunities are so large that they will need to be shared and supported by the entire South Delta community.
2007: This is the hope for a fresh start, fresh relations with all our partners.
1914: This is how long ago our ‘treaty process’ – attempts to reconcile past grievances – started. We have been at this ever since – this treaty is the culmination of 100 years of patience, persistence, and self-determination in overcoming the many challenges along the way.
1958: TFN began ‘getting in the way’. The Hwy 17 construction tore down our longhouse and runs through our traditional village site.
1968: Two causeway wrecked what used to be a rich intertidal flat that provided bounties of shellfish; it is now a swampy marsh with no tidal flow.
1990: It took B.C. about 100 years longer than any other Canadian province to agree to begin recognizing aboriginal rights and title.
2004: A good agreement for TFN in that it provides the basis for participation in many development opportunities that will flow from projected port expansion. The opportunities are so large that they will need to be shared and supported by the entire South Delta community.
2007: This is the hope for a fresh start, fresh relations with all our partners.
6. 6 TFN Treaty: Basics TFN’s treaty will the first in the history of the B.C. Treaty Process
TFN spent 15 years in this process.
Ratified by TFN community July 25th; by B.C. Legislature November 7th
Awaiting ratification by federal government, and signing.
Effective Day will make treaty a reality; following a planning and transition process by TFN.
One of key treaty goals was economic sustainability
To ensure health and prosperity of the community
Ability to engage productively with the regional economy
Treaty provides land, resources, and authorities to achieve these goals.
7. 7 TFN Treaty: A unique governance context As of Effective Date, TFN will be under a new form of governance:
Not a municipality or a provincial creation; has Constitutional status under section 35 of Charter.
No longer wards of the Crown; will be self-governing.
No longer on a reserve; will own land fee simple.
Has ability to draw down many traditionally federal, provincial and municipal powers:
Ex: Child Protection, Education, Social Assistance
Municipal structure (land and tax authorities) are a priority at effective date – must be in place to provide services to members
Transition to treaty will be gradual:
Phase-in of powers, taxation, federal funding clawbacks
Treaty allows TFN to be a full partner at several levels of government. New form of governance is a unique, partnership relationship between Canada and British Columbia. This relationship (treaty) is the first urban treaty in Canadian history, and the first treaty to be settled in the BC Treaty Process.
This transition requires a tremendous amount of work and will take some time. Tsawwassen will not immediately operate under an entirely new structure after treaty Effective Date: many institutions will be new, but TFN will phase in other changes gradually over the next few years.
New form of governance is a unique, partnership relationship between Canada and British Columbia. This relationship (treaty) is the first urban treaty in Canadian history, and the first treaty to be settled in the BC Treaty Process.
This transition requires a tremendous amount of work and will take some time. Tsawwassen will not immediately operate under an entirely new structure after treaty Effective Date: many institutions will be new, but TFN will phase in other changes gradually over the next few years.
8. 8 Current Planning Activities Tsawwassen Self-Government Implementation Plan
Suite of projects to establish strategic, legal, policy and regulatory framework.
Allow TFN to exercise rights and responsibilities of self-governing First Nation.
Strategic Plan, Community and Land Use Plan, and Economic Development planning are critical components.
Strategic Planning
Determine vision, mission, principles and priorities for Tsawwassen Government.
Will be complete by December 2007.
9. 9 Current Planning Activities Community and Land Use Planning
Three components: Community plan, Development Plan, and Infrastructure Plan.
UMA Consultants: will be complete by March 2008.
Community Plan will be adopted as an OCP under Local Government Act, and deemed compatible with the Liveable Regions Strategy.
Economic Development Planning
Will determine appropriate structure and processes for TFN’s participation in economic opportunities.
Will assist TFN members in actively engaging in regional economy.
Will ensure that TFN is development ready.
10. 10 TFN Treaty Opportunities Location
Ocean frontage, beautiful views
First stop for Vancouver Island travellers
Highway 17 runs through TFN land
First stop for industrial traffic
TFN lands surround port causeway
Port expansion will bring business interests
Fishing allocation
TFN will have a commercial fishing operation through treaty Harvest agreement, which provides a guaranteed fishing allocation
Will be looking for commercial buyers, processors, and other partners to maximize revenue from allocation
Self-government
Make planning and development decisions based on the best interests of the TFN community, with no interference from federal government
Membership with Metro Vancouver
Will be able to contribute to and benefit from strong regional government
11. 11 TFN Development Opportunities Focus of development is on social, economic, and environmental sustainability.
Agriculture and port related opportunities
Obvious areas of interest.
Entrepreneurial and small business activity
Also an important focus for TFN.
Increased land base and ALR exclusion.
226 hectares in TFN lands addition removed from ALR.
Deltaport expansion: Berth 3 and potential Terminal 2 project.
On reserve development: new TFN lands and CP lands
Removal of previous development constraints Tsawwassen is interested in ensuring it receives a return that maximizes the value of the available land, working within a framework developed by the community that sets out its principles for sustainability.
226 hectares of land will be excluded from the ALR. This is a controversial topic, but it was a principle that was critical for Tsawwassen to get to a treaty. Tsawwassen is interested in ensuring it receives a return that maximizes the value of the available land, working within a framework developed by the community that sets out its principles for sustainability.
226 hectares of land will be excluded from the ALR. This is a controversial topic, but it was a principle that was critical for Tsawwassen to get to a treaty.
12. 12 TFN Needs Partners! Future is bright for both TFN and Delta
TFN will integrate and become increasingly engaged in regional economy
As TFN grows, its members will become active consumers and entrepreneurs
TFN needs access to:
Skills and experience
Capital resources
Better transportation
linkages
TFN offers access to:
A growing market for Delta business community
New business and entrepreneurial opportunities in partnership with TFN members To take advantage of the opportunities described in previous slides, TFN must work with its partners; it simply doesn’t have the capacity immediately. To take advantage of the opportunities described in previous slides, TFN must work with its partners; it simply doesn’t have the capacity immediately.
13. 13 TFN People TFN People are:
Bright and determined
Open-minded
Excited about the future
Funny, easy-going, and polite
Child and youth-centred
TFN People want:
To integrate with local community
To be serviced by stores and businesses
To take advantage of entrepreneurial opportunities
14. 14 Moving Forward TFN faces an enormous opportunity and an equally significant challenge.
The next months and years will put TFN on a footing that ensures success.
To do this, TFN needs to build strong partnerships with local communities.
Keep TFN in mind for future business expansions
Look for business opportunities with us as we proceed with planning
Let’s make the treaty benefit all Delta residents