A collection of five local First Nation bands continue to engage in final treaty negotiations with the government, over a year and a half after reaching an agreement in principle.
The Te'Mexw Treaty Association is made up of the Beecher Bay; Malahat; Nanoose; Songhees; and T'Sou-ke First Nation bands.
It was announced in April of last year they'd reached a treaty agreement in principle with the provincial and federal governments that includes an exchange of $142-million dollars and over 15-hundred hectares of land.
Songhees chief Ron Sam said at the time that, after twenty years of negotiations, he was hopeful the deal would be finalized within a year.
There are still some elements to be worked out, though, according to an annual report from the BC Treaty Commission that has now been released. The report reveals negotiations continue over fisheries rights, as set out in the Douglas treaty, and over lands currently held by the Department of National Defence.