Service agreements and stumbling block, TWN workshop hears

Negotiations between First Nations and municipal governments on service agreements are being bogged down throughout BC.

That is why Chief Justin George and his council hosted Aboriginal leaders from across the province on October 5-6 to discuss the challenges and possible solutions.

“We have been in negotiations with the District of North Vancouver for months and are now only beginning to progress,” Chief Justin George said of how service agreement negotiations are affecting TWN. He added that similar challenges are faced across BC.

At the close of the session, there was consensus that progressive service agreements are crucial for First Nations to successfully evolve their economies and manage their communities. But leaders said that sharing services and infrastructure with neighbouring municipalities could often impede economic development.

Regional Chief Jody Wilson-Raybould of the BC Assembly of First Nations talked about how “First Nations operated sophisticated and highly functional infrastructure as well as economic and governance systems” prior to contact. “Today every First Nation is immersed in rebuilding these structures.

“The process is mired in many issues from the emotional to the jurisdictional and financial,” she said. “None of these issues were created by First Nations. However, the work to find solutions lies largely with the Aboriginal leadership.”

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs said: “At the end of the day, the relationship between First Nations and municipal governments is like any other. It requires respect, understanding and acceptance.

“Success is based on the desire to make decisions in each other’s best interest and the willingness to resolve disputes and reach solutions,” he said. “If one of these ingredients is missing, the relationship will be hell for both parties.”

Chief George added that successful negotiations are a win-win for all concerned. “If First Nations’ economies are strong, they become powerful contributors to regional economies and benefit all of BC and ultimately Canada.”