Hopeful signs for Sliammon treaty

The on-again, off-again treaty negotiations look headed for a hopeful time this spring, according to Chief Clint Williams.

“We’re very close to initialing off on Stage 5,” he said. “But the lack of federal participation in the fish negotiations, as is common for so many of the tables (throughout BC) is holding up the process.

“But we are close to a final agreement.”

That means Williams hopeful New Year’s message to his community could come true after all.

“Treaty negotiations are nearing an end and could possibly see the Sliammon people voting on our Constitution and the treaty final agreement within a year’s time,” Williams said at the start of the year.

Sliammon has invested 13 years, and approximately $9 million into negotiating a Sliammon final agreement. The final agreement contains some very significant gains to Sliammon, chief negotiator Roy Francis told Klahowya earlier this year.

Meanwhile, an enrolment process continues in preparation for the community votes on a constitution and treaty.