On June 30th, 2015, the Penticton Indian Band was officially welcomed as one of the newest signatories to the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management (Framework Agreement).
Under the Framework Agreement, the Penticton Indian Band now has the opportunity, (through its land code) to opt out of 32 land-related sections of the Indian Act and resume jurisdiction and decision-making authority over its reserve lands and resources.
On behalf of the Lands Advisory Board, Chief Robert Louie addressed the crowd gathered to celebrate the adhesion ceremony in Penticton:
“Over the last 15 years of land governance experience through the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management (Framework Agreement), cumulative investments on operational First Nation reserves are now estimated at approximately $270 million, with thousands of on-reserve jobs having been created for both members and non-members. There is absolutely no doubt that the Framework Agreement is working for our First Nations and for Canada as a whole! Framework Agreement signatory First Nations are forging new partnerships with their neighbors, businesses, investors, bankers as well as with all levels of government. The Lands Advisory Board and the First Nations Land Management Resource Centre have worked diligently towards providing support to the Framework Agreement signatories and towards creating opportunity for all First Nations in Canada to pursue this initiative, if they so desire. My great appreciation goes out to Minister Valcourt and his staff for working with us to see the addition of Penticton Indian Band to the Framework Agreement. On behalf of the Lands Advisory Board, and the Framework Agreement signatory First Nations, we welcome Penticton Indian Band and look forward to the prosperous future ahead of them.”
For the full press release, please click here:
[http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?nid=994149&tp=1]
For a full copy of Chief Louie’s address, please click here: [attached]