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Historic step for bands

The Northern Shuswap Tribal Council says it is encouraged with Friday’s signing of an incremental treaty deal with the province.

Four Northern Shuswap First Nation bands, represented by a council treaty group, are currently negotiating a treaty with the federal and provincial governments.

Members from all four communities will vote in a referendum Feb. 11 on an agreement in principle.

The interim deals provide for the transfer of up to 3,760 hectares of Crown land to the Canim Lake Band, the Canoe Creek/Dog Creek band, the Soda Creek band and the Williams Lake band.

The council believes the deal will offer increased economic opportunities in forestry, tourism, commercial and industrial sectors.

The agreements also include funding for the construction of fencing to address the interests of area cattle ranchers affected by the deals.

If the agreement is endorsed by the bands' members, the treaty group will move on to final agreement negotiations.



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