B.C. ratifies treaty with First Nation
VICTORIA - Provincial politicians in B.C. have ratified a treaty that will give a Sunshine Coast First Nation thousands of hectares of land and millions of dollars.
The Tla'amin (Sly-ah-mon) Nation Final Agreement still has to be ratified by the federal government before it becomes law.
But the deal will give the Powell River nation $29.7 million, economic development funding of $6.9 million, a fishing vessel fund of $250,000 and more than 8,000 hectares of land.
Aboriginal Relations Minister Ida Chong says the Tla'amin have become the ninth First Nation in B.C. to have their treaty passed in the last 13 years.
The province has already ratified final agreements with Nisga'a, Tsawwassen, the five Maa-nulth nations, and most recently the Yale First Nation
Band members ratified the deal in July 2012 but not without controversy, as protesters blocked the polling station and accused leaders of bribery and registering ineligible voters.
