Governance

Intergovernmental Relations

The role of the Intergovernmental Coordinator is to protect the integrity of our aboriginal title and rights, promote opportunities for positive change with our local governments and neighboring first nations, and build sound community-to-community relations that respects and accommodates the Tla’amin First Nation.

Relationship building with local governments is key for Tla’amin and our surrounding communities as we advance from Stage 5 of treaty negotiations to a Final Agreement.  The Community Accord with the Corporation of the District of Powell River has been instrumental to opening the door for communications and consultation to ensure Tla’amin title and rights are not infringed upon at the local government level. 

A prime example is the recent Protocol Agreement on Culture, Heritage Protection, and Economic Development.  The agreement between Tla’amin and the Municipality will ensure that Tla’amin has a voice in for the approval of all development applications that would normally be granted by the Municipality.  This new arrangement now considers and respects the sensitivity of our culture and heritage sites and provides opportunities for stewardship in parts of our traditional territory.

Tla’amin continues to work with our neighboring First Nations Homalco and Klahoose with respect to opposing fish farms and provincial planning processes.  Collectively we recognize the value of sharing our traditional knowledge to further protect our valuable resources.  Shared territory agreements are being negotiated to harmonize our land use planning for a nation that was once one.

Fostering the development of our intergovernmental relationships provides a whole new dynamic for Tla’amin to protect the interests of our membership, defend our lands and resources, and assert our aboriginal right to self-government without compromise.