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VICTORIA - The provincial government expressed disappointment today in the Sechelt Indian band's decision to reject a proposed treaty settlement and return to litigation.

B.C., Canada and the Sechelt Indian Band signed an agreement-in-principle in April 1999 and have since been negotiating towards a final agreement. This major breakthrough followed an earlier halt in negotiations when the band filed a lawsuit against the two governments in 1998. The parties agreed to return to negotiations, leading to the formal signing of the agreement-in-principle by all parties in April 1999. Negotiations have continued and a number of improvements have been made to the agreement-in-principle.

"We are disappointed in the band's decision, as only a few items remain to be resolved in final agreement negotiations," said Aboriginal Affairs Minister Dale Lovick.

"We cannot understand why the 1,000 members of the band would want to walk away from the proposed treaty, which is based on their request and desire that we negotiate an economic development treaty that will provide cash, benefits and the ability to buy more land.

"If the Sechelt wants a different type of treaty, the best way of resolving that issue is through negotiation, not litigation."

The proposed treaty now includes:

a.. $52 million in cash.
b.. Almost 1,000 hectares of additional urban and rural land, including a profitable gravel pit, one of the largest in North America.
c.. Ownership of surface and subsurface resources.
d.. Provisions for future additions to treaty settlement lands.
e.. 14 existing commercial fishing licences.
f.. The continuation of Sechelt self-government, as sought by the band. "The courts, including the Supreme Court of Canada, have told us repeatedly to negotiate these issues. The band members stand to benefit in the near future from a proposed treaty that was negotiated in good faith and is close to being finalized. A decision from the courts will involve years of litigation, millions of dollars in legal fees and uncertain results for all involved - especially the band," said Lovick.

The province is prepared to continue working with the band on resolving the few remaining items towards a final agreement. However, any negotiated final agreement must be based on the provisions of the Sechelt Agreement-in-Principle and the proposed treaty.

For more information contact, Peter Smith, Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs, phone:(250) 356-8750 or (250) 480-9653.