News Release

LILLOOET, B.C. – The St’át’imc have voted yes to a Settlement Agreement with the Province of British Columbia and BC Hydro that provides mitigation, compensation and an ongoing long term relationship to address their grievances related to the construction and operation of existing BC Hydro facilities.

“On April 9 the people of the St’át’imc gave the settlement a yes vote, which will allow the Chiefs to sign the agreements on May 10, 2011. Today is a good day for our people and marks the beginning of a more prosperous future for our Nation. This agreement is a small measure of justice that our ancestors were seeking when they signed the declaration of 1911. We have a lot of work ahead, but today is a good day,” said Kūkwpi7 Mike Leach, St’át’imc Chiefs Council Chair.

In all 11 St’át’imc Communities a majority of St’át’imc who cast ballots on Saturday, April 9, voted in favour of a settlement which provides mitigation of impacts, immediate and long-term financial benefits and economic opportunities. The agreement will provide BC Hydro and the Province of B.C. with operational certainty for BC Hydro’s existing facilities into the future.

“Members of the St’át’imc communities have voted to take an important step toward a brighter future by endorsing an agreement that will help create economic and social opportunities for St’át’imc families, and the opportunity to build a better relationship with BC Hydro,” said Mary Polak, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation. “This takes great courage, vision and leadership. Congratulations to all St’át’imc members.”

“I applaud the St’at’imc communities for supporting their leadership on this agreement, and for providing BC Hydro with legal certainty for this significant generation and transmission infrastructure,” said Rich Coleman, Minister of Energy and Mines. “This agreement lays the foundation for a prosperous future based on mutual understanding, respect and trust.”

BC Hydro and the St’át’imc have been negotiating an agreement since 1993. Between January and early April 2011, more than 40 information meetings were held within the St’at’imc Communities - and in places such as Vancouver, Abbotsford, Mission, Vancouver Island, Kamloops, Prince George and Seattle - to inform as many St’át’imc as possible about the contents of the agreement.

“We are committed to building trusted relationships with First Nations and the communities we serve in B.C.,” said Dave Cobb, President and CEO, BC Hydro. “It has taken many years and tremendous determination and effort on all sides to reach this important milestone and I look forward to building and strengthening our relationship with the St’át’imc and working with them to strengthen their communities in the future.” 

In addition to financial benefits, the agreement provides for:

• Long term environmental mitigation plans to help restore land, water, fish, wildlife and vegetation;
• A heritage and culture plan to preserve, protect and promote St’át’imc culture;
• A relations agreement to assist in developing a long-term sustainable relationship between the St’at’imc and BC Hydro; and
• An education and training component to build capacity within the Communities.

There are 11 St’át’imc Communities who have been impacted by BC Hydro’s facilities.  These assets include: three dams, two reservoirs, four generating stations, 15 transmission circuits totalling approximately 850 kilometres of transmission lines, 160 kilometres of access roads and four recreation facilities.

Plans are underway to celebrate the signing of the Final Agreement on May 10, 2011 in Tsalalh (Seton), the 100th anniversary of the Declaration of the Lillooet Tribe.

For more information, please contact:

Karen Williams
Senior Public Affairs Officer
Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
250 387 1460

Kūkwpi7 Mike Leach
St’át’imc Chiefs Council
778 209 0417 (c) 250 256 0425 ext. 237

Rodney Louie
St’at’imc Nation Hydro
778 209 0571 (c) 250 256 0425, ext. 237
Web: www.statimchydro.ca

BC Hydro Media Relations
Direct: 604 928 6468
Web: www.bchydro.com/media