Clayoquot Sound Homepage

June 27, 1994

British Columbia and First Nations Announce
Membership of Clayoquot Board

PORT ALBERNI, B.C. — The Province of British Columbia and the Central Region First Nations of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council today announced the names of the members of the joint management board which will oversee land and resource use decisions in Clayoquot Sound. The announcement was made by Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Cashore and Chief Francis Frank of Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations and spokesperson for the Central Region.

The Central Region Board is made up of two co-chairs, five First Nations representatives, and live provincial appointees. It is a key component of the Interim Measures Agreement signed between the province and the First Nations on March 19, 1994, and a concrete expression of the government-to-government relationship being established between the province and First Nations.

The province and First Nations jointly appointed the Central Region Board co-chairs. Nelson Keitlah is Co-chair of the Central Region of the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations. Ross McMillan is currently a senior administrator with the provincial Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs.

The First Nations representatives are: Sennan Charleson, consultant, Hesquiaht First Nation; Earl Maquinna George, Hereditary Chief, Ahousaht First Nation; Bert Mack, Hereditary Chief, Toquaht First Nation; Moses Martin, Councillor, Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations; and Robert Mundy, spokesperson for the Head Hereditary Chief, Ucluelet First Nation.

The provincial appointees are: Maureen Fraser, President of the Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce; Jack Gillie, Councillor for the District of Tofino; Hans Irg, Director of the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District; Bill Irving, Mayor of Ucluelet; and Grant Scott, Sofor Consultants.

“This joint management board is the first step towards self-sufficiency for First Nations, who will have an unprecedented say in the decision-making process over all land use and resource planning in Clayoquot Sound,” said Chief Frank. “The challenge that faces these board members, on this historic day and in the days ahead, will be to change the status quo, to change the future, so there is true reconcilation instead of such polarized communities entrenched in their own positions.”

“The joint management process established in Clayoquot Sound is a historic step in acknowledging the traditional rights of First Nations. Through the Interim Measures Agreement we recognize the interest of First Nations in the lands, waters, and resources within their traditional territories,” said Cashore. “Through the Central Region Board we are sharing with First Nations the responsibility and authority to manage those resources.”

The board is a decision-making body which will oversee land use planning and resource management decisions in Clayoquot Sound during the next two years. It will provide First Nations in Clayoquot Sound with a direct voice in the management of resources within their traditional territories.

“Four of the provincial appointees are from the Alberni-Clayoquot region,” said Cashore. “The board therefore provides local communities as well as First Nations with a voice in decisions which affect their long term stability. We are confident that by working together with First Nations through the board we will bring economic, environmental, and social benefits to the entire Clayoquot region.”

Among its tasks, the board will look at economic development and diversification, sustainable resource use, and ways to reconcile the different interests of those living and working in the sound.

“Our First Nations will finally get a chance to contribute back to the economy through the Interim Measures Agreement and the establishment of the Central Region Board,” added Chief Frank. “We are hopeful that our distressing 70 per cent unemployment rate will be reduced significantly. As well, this board and this process will conserve resources and bring economic benefits to future generations.”

The Interim Measures Agreement and the Central Region Board are currently in place for two years. Provisions exist to extend the terms of the agreement in recognition that it serves as a bridge to treaty completion.

“The Central Region First Nations would like to extend our congratulations to all board members and wish you well in your endeavours to finally begin reconcilation of historic injustices against aboriginal peoples,” Chief Frank said.

“We are looking forward to working together as partners with First Nations in Clayoquot Sound,” added Cashore. “On behalf of the province I would like to wish board members every success in their pioneering and challenging task ahead.”

For more information contact:

Christine Lattey Director, Special Projects Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs tel: (604) 953-3203

Chief Francis Frank Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council, Central Region tel: (604) 725-3233

A backgrounder on the Central Region Board, biographies of board members, and information on the Interim Measures Agreement are also available. .