OTTAWA, ONTARIO (May 31, 2013) – Today, the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development introduced legislation to ratify the Yale First Nation Final Agreement. This marks a significant step forward as both the Yale First Nation and the Province of British Columbia have ratified the Yale First Nation Final Agreement.
The introduction of this legislation demonstrates what can happen when parties work together toward a common objective and, more important, it brings the Yale First Nation one step closer to establishing a new future for its community,
said Minister Valcourt. This agreement brings economic benefits for all Canadians, and will give the Yale First Nation the tools and authority to take control of its future, to build a healthy, prosperous and strong community, and to contribute to a stronger Canada.
The Yale people have been in the Fraser Canyon for more than nine thousand years,
said Yale First Nation Chief Robert Hope. This agreement gives us our life, our freedom and confirms our land and provides a solid economic foundation upon which to build for future generations of Yale members.
The Yale First Nation Final Agreement is the third final agreement to be reached under the BC treaty process. The Final Agreement brings certainty to the ownership and use of lands and resources in the area, creates opportunities for Yale First Nation and provides predictability for continued development and growth in the province.
The Yale Final Agreement represents the completion of a twenty year journey for the Yale First Nation. I would like to congratulate Chief Robert Hope and the Yale First Nation on this significant achievement,
said Mark Strahl, Member of Parliament for Chilliwack‑Fraser Canyon.
The Yale First Nation Final Agreement provides that the Yale First Nation will privately own roughly 1,966 hectares of Treaty Settlement Lands, made up of 217 hectares of Yale's former Indian reserves and 1,749 hectares of Crown lands. In addition, Yale First Nation will receive a capital transfer of $10.7 million, less any outstanding negotiation loans, and economic development funding of $2.2 million.
The treaty provides for Yale First Nation's ownership of subsurface and forest resources, as well as fishing, gathering and harvesting rights for domestic purposes, in accordance with terms set out in the treaty. Yale First Nation's access to commercial fishing opportunities for Fraser River sockeye and pink salmon are outside of treaty in a separate Harvest Agreement.
Andrea Richer
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Bernard Valcourt
819-997-0002
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
819-953-1160
Beatrice Bonneau
Yale First Nation
604-863-2443
