21 March 2010
Posted in Self Determination - Alternative Governance Principles

The Gitxsan are not interested in the “parallel society” concept at the heart of the standard treaty model.

 Instead, our preference is that the full range of governmental services be delivered to us by the provincial government (some federal) as is the case in most other places in Canada. The funds currently sent by Ottawa to various Band offices (Indian Act) have been proven to be inadequate to fund a “parallel society” and all the services that entails. We believe those funds would be better sent instead to the provincial government to help fund services to our communities and to help guarantee an adequate delivery standard.

We believe the laws and services currently provided by Indian Act Councils can be better and more efficiently provided by provincial and federal entities, as they are for all other British Columbians. We expect a voice in the mode of delivery to the Gitxsan, but we accept the management and infrastructure in place.

Any agreement must, of course, end the application of the Indian Act, including the Band governance structure imposed under law. “The Gitxsan are yet to accept band councils and reserves…” (April Response for Clarification)

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