Clayoquot Sound Homepage

March 19, 1994

Interim Measures Agreement on Clayoquot Sound Signed by the Central Region Chiefs of the
Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council and the Province

AHOUSAHT, B.C. — A significant and historic step was taken today with the signing of the final agreement on Interim Measures providing for joint management of resource and land use in Clayoquot Sound until the completion of treaty negotiations.

The Interim Measures Agreement begins to build a government-to-government relationship between the B.C. government and the Central Region First Nations of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council.

The agreement was signed by the Central Regional Chiefs and Premier Mike Harcourt, in a formal ceremony which included traditional songs and dances. The festivities were held at this village on Flores Island, about 25 kilometres northwest of Tofino, on the west coast of Vancouver Island.

Chief Francis Frank of Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations and spokesperson for the Central Region First Nations said, “Today is an important day in the lives of our people, who finally have a say, an unprecedented say, in how the resources in our traditional territories in the Clayoquot Sound shall be managed.

“This process provides a chance to begin reconciliation of historic injustices against aboriginal peoples,” Chief Frank added. “First Nations aspirations are to conserve resources for future generations. The only way resources can be conserved in Clayoquot Sound is if everyone works together and begins the process of reconciling our differences. We think this agreement provides that opportunity.”

Premier Harcourt said, “Over the last two and a half years our government has moved forward to build a new, more honorable relationship with the First Nations of this province. The interim agreement that we signed today with the Hawiih of the Central Region of the Nuu-chah-nulth is an example of that commitment.

“This agreement establishes a government-to-government partnership between the Province of British Columbia and First Nations in the planning of the future of Clayoquot Sound. It is a model of what government and First Nations can accomplish when we sit down together, in a spirit of cooperation, to plan a new and better future for the aboriginal people of B.C.,” said Harcourt.

“I would like to thank the Chiefs of the Central Region for their patience, their courage and their vision.”

“Our guiding force during the intense negotiations was our previous leaders and ancestors, who had to fight before us and live with the previous governments trying to take away our rights. We feel their spirits with us today, and we will not forget them,” said Chief Frank.

Clifford Atleo, Central Region coordinator of Clayoquot issues, said, “This historic agreement is between the B.C. government and our Hawiih, our Hereditary Chiefs, who are the highest authority within our traditional system of government. We are pleased that the agreement recognizes our Hawiih, who have the right to manage and preserve our traditional territories.

“We believe we’ve created a powerful joint management board which has the ability to accept, propose modifications to, or recommend rejection to any plans, decisions, recommendations or reports. This agreement shows that the status quo is no longer acceptable,” said Atleo.

Chief Frank added, “The only time cabinet would be involved is if the joint management board decides to refer a matter to cabinet. It’s up to the board to make that decision.”

Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Cashore said, “This government pledged that land use decisions would not prejudice upcoming comprehensive treaty negotiations. To ensure that pledge was honored we began interim measures negotiations with the First Nations of the Central Region of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council.

“An agreement on those interim measures was reached on December 10 and over the last few months a team of both government and First Nations negotiators have met to finalize some of the technical and legal details of that agreement. The agreement signed today is a testament to their hard work and effort. It is a concrete expression of the government-to-government relationship that has been established between the province and the Central Region,” said Cashore.

“I look forward to working with the Chiefs of the Central Region to implement the terms of this important agreement.”

In the weeks prior to today’s ceremony, the agreement was ratified by the Central Region Nations — Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations, Ahousaht, Hesquiaht, Toquaht and Ucluelet — and the B.C. cabinet. The final agreement contains some changes and additions to the agreement-in-principle which was reached last December after more than 40 days of intense negotiations.

Provisions exist to extend the agreement beyond two years, in recognition that it serves as a bridge to treaty completion.

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