The Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group includes six First Nations -- Chemainus, Cowichan , Halalt, Lake Cowichan, Lyackson and Penelakut. These First Nations are part of the Coast Salish cultural group and share the same dialect. The total population numbers over 5,000 people of whom approximately 3,000 live on reserve. The Hul’qumi’num submitted its statement of intent to negotiate on December 16, 1993. The BCTC declared the three parties ready to begin negotiations on June 18, 1996.

Treaty Negotiations with the Hul’qumi’num Speaking People

Negotiations leading to the framework agreement among the Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group, Canada and B.C. began in August 1996 and were completed when negotiators initialed the agreement on July 29, 1997. For the past three months, the Hul’qumi’num have held a series of community consultations to present the document to their people.

In addition to a framework agreement, the parties have successfully negotiated a procedures agreement which covers the frequency and location of meetings, record keeping and dispute resolution, principles to guide information sharing among the parties during negotiations, and an openness protocol which includes guidelines for media access to negotiations, media appearances by negotiators and dissemination of records of decisions from negotiation sessions to the media.

Terms of reference for a public information working group have also been developed. This working group will plan and arrange all local and regional public information activities including speaking engagements, media interviews and the distribution of printed material.

In accepting the BC Claims Task Force Report of 1991, Canada and B.C. are committed to consult with third party interests that will be directly affected by treaty negotiations. The South Island Regional Advisory Committee was established in 1995 to provide input and advice to federal and provincial negotiators on negotiations with the Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group, and the Nanaimo and Te’Mexw First Nations.

Highlights of the Hul’qumi’num Framework Agreement

The framework agreement sets the agenda for substantive negotiations and outlines the process, timing and main topics for the negotiations.

Process: The parties are committed to negotiating a treaty under the BCTC process.