A seat at the table: Exploring treaty First Nation representation in a regional district

• Main Author: Garnett, Alison
• Other Authors: Hemphill, Jessie
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Electronic version published by Vancouver Island University 2022
• Subjects: Local government > British Columbia > Vancouver Island; Indigenous peoples > Government relations; Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District; Maa-nulth First Nations; Toquaht Nation; Huu-ay-aht First Nations; Uchucklesaht Tribe; Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government; First Nations
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.25316/IR-17505; https://viurrspace.ca/handle/10613/25732

In 2011, the Maa-nulth First Nations Final Agreement became the first modern treaty on Vancouver Island, British Columbia (BC). As part of the treaty agreement, the Maa-nulth First Nations—which include Toquaht Nation, Huu-ay-aht First Nations, Uchucklesaht Tribe and Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government—agreed to join the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD), thus creating a co-governance relationship unparalleled in BC. This research explores the potential for regional districts as a form of co-governance between local governments and First Nations with modern treaty. Guided by Indigenous Research Methodologies (IRM), three of the Maa-nulth First Nations representatives were interviewed in this research project to understand the transition to ACRD membership and dis/advantages of regional district participation. The research found that the co-governance relationship on the ACRD Board since the Maa-nulth First Nations joined has positively impacted regional governance and found overall that regional districts are a viable form of co-governance for Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Community Planning in the Department of Community Planning, Faculty of Social Sciences, Vancouver Island University. https://viurrspace.ca/bitstream/handle/10613/25732/GarnettThesis.pdf?sequence=3