Editor:

Re: Treaties have to be fair for all, MP says, MP's Report, May 23

While John Cummins is correct to point out that Tsawwassen members need to think about how their quality of life will be impacted when they vote in our upcoming treaty referendum, he unfortunately displays a serious lack of understanding concerning the experience of the Tsawwassen community in particular, and aboriginal people in general.

In my view, his concerns relate more to the Indian Act, that crushing piece of federal legislation, than to our treaty. For it is the Indian Act that has robbed aboriginal people of control over their own lives and it is the Indian Act that has imposed ineffective systems of governance that we struggle to overcome every day.

The Tsawwassen First Nation is on the road to effective self-governance by escaping the destructive influences of the Indian Act. First we took control of our reserve lands with our land code and now, through our treaty and our constitution, we will establish a Tsawwassen government that represents and protects the values of our community and our members.

A Tsawwassen government will also be accountable to its members, in much the same way that Cummins is accountable to his constituents and his government is accountable to Canadians.

On July 25, the Tsawwassen community can take control of its own destiny by voting in favour of the treaty and its constitution. This is a critically important decision because a yes vote will bring home a treaty to the Tsawwassen people - ushering in a new era of reconciliation and economic opportunity.

Chief Kim Baird
Tsawwassen First Nation
published on 05/30/2007

Return to Media section