(. >) September 25, 1996 Dear Friends: with hope and good will thatthe Shuswap Nation Tribal Council extends a warm welcome to all participants 19 The Secwepcine Land Claims Forum, Your stendance at ths event shows that you care about the issues that wil affect the future ofall people in Secwepeme territory, for generations to come. For the Secwepemc it has been along and painful road since our lands were alienated by the British Crown, same 15) Jears ago, We have survived massive epidemics that decimated our population, We have endured the ouiont fant ara sepiluren being forced into residential schools, and the many personal, family and social problems created by that gad experience, We have struggled with the poverty resulting from being confined to small reserves and belts aa ee ca ecs to our taditional natural resource base. Along the way, we have tried to be good neighbours with the sxtny non Secwepeme people who have come into our teritory, and we have made many good friends among them. 11996, we want to resolve once and forall the Secwepeme land claims issue, so that our children and grandchildren wea liven peace, dignity and security wid ther neighbours. Since 1910, when our Chiefs sent their Memorial yo Prine Saintes Se Wilfred Laurie, we have been secking to establish a treaty with the goveruments of Canada and British Columbia. The purpose of this treaty would be threefold: ¢ fair compensation for the loss of certain Secwepeme lands; 4 equitable sharing of revenues and economic opportunities in Seewepeme territory: ¢ recognition and support for Seewepeme self-government. fore beginning the treaty-making prooess, we want to establish first an interim agreement with British Columbia on ihe working relationship of the Province with our communities. This will establish the principles on which our ‘negotiations will be based. “The Shuswap Nation's population is small compared to that of the non-aboriginal people in our territory. These wars can be resolved in a way that is constructive, mutually beneficial and affordable, We want to be full and equal partners in the economic development of our tetitory, and t have a fair share of opportunities to create jobs an pesome for our people. Cur communities want tobe self reliant ata standard of living comparable to other British Columbians. We also want to maintain a high quality natural environment and responsible management of forestry, wildlife and Taberiee within Shuswap Nation traditional territory. The cost of not meeting these challenges is high, and includes sanincertain investment climate, the high cost of social and medical services for Secwepemec people, and untold sulfferng of Seewepeme families that live in poverty. Neither the taxpaying public nor the Shuswap Nation can afford the financial and human costs of leaving things as they are. {invite you to join with the Secwepeme people in a fair and just settlement of Shuswap land claims. Together We can build a better future for our children. We want future generations to live in peace and harmony with each other, as tuuals. On behalf of the Shuswap Nation, I extend the band of friendship and cooperation. By working together on these issues, we will achieve success. Chief Arthur Manuel, ‘Tribal Chairperson rcs) {SE YELLOWHEAD HIGHWAY, KAMLOOPS, BC. Vn Phone) 28579 Fa 03746 Ema: sina tse. a, NiShuswap Nation Territory Line and Symbol Legend Primary Roads Wd Shuswap Exterior Boundary @ Rivers WW Lakes CiCities {] Band Locations7 GLOSSARY OF TERMS RELATED TO THE TREATY PROCESS Aboriginal people - a term defined in the Constitution Act of 1982 that refers to all indigenous people in Canada, including Indians (status & non-status), Metis and Inuit people. Aboriginal rights - the freedom to use and occupy traditional lands and resources to maintain a traditional lifestyle. Aboriginal rights are protected in the Constitution Act of 1982. Aboriginal title - a unique interest in land and resources based on ancestral occupation and use. ‘Access - when used in connection with Treaty lands, the term refers to the rights non-beneficiaries have to cross or be on Treaty lands, Act - a law passed by a federal or provincial parliament. ‘Agreement-in-principle - an agreement that outlines in general terms what has been agreed upon. Allocation - usually refers to the giving out of something such as permits to trap or hunt. ‘Amending Formula - the process whereby the three parties to the Treaty can change it without going through the normal route to change the Constitution of Canada. This is required because the Treaty will be protected by or enshrined in the Canadian Constitution Act of 1982 Arbitration - a process where two parties in dispute take it to a Treaty, Beneficiary - a person who is eligible to gain benefits from a Treaty. C-31 - an act that amends the membership section of the Indian Act; allowed for the reinstatement of some persons who had lost their Indian status. Certainty - this is a term government uses to describe what is wanted in terms of ownership and control of lands and resources; in other words, they don’t want aboriginal title to continue to fog, these issues. Citizenship code - a document that outlines how membership is determined, Compensation - when used in connection with the Treaty process refers to the money that is paid as part of the settlement. Comprehensive claim - same as a modern treaty, a claim based on traditional use and occupance of a land area, Constitution - is the document that governs how an organization operates. 155 ELLOWNEAD HGHWY KAMLOOPS BC YH Phe 6255785 Fx: 68 S768 Ema stmaLnetshp ne