Hey Everyone, we're starting a little segment of regular updates to address some of the rumours that are making their way back to our office. We're calling this segment "Word on the Street." I hope it helps clarify the agreement and what is happening here in the offices of St'át'imc Nation Hydro and the St'át'imc Chiefs.
Rumour: "The chiefs will all get a bonus on a 'Yes' vote"
No, the chiefs won't be getting a bonus on a "yes" vote for the community. There may be some confusion here with the community "signing bonus" of $1 million that each community will get on a yes vote. That $1 million is not tied to the trust purposes, and each community can spend it as they want. Many communities are having their own internal meetings to discuss how to spend their bonus and the money coming from the trust (or the up front payment in the case of Lil'wat).
Each chief supports the agreement because they, and their predecessors, fought hard for it over 18 years and they feel that it is fair. It includes a number of concessions above and beyond money: changes to Hydro's operations to improve salmon, connection of the southern communities to the grid, and a relationship agreement that involves the St'át'imc in future Hydro planning and provides many opportunities. On top of that each community has their own agreement with Hydro that addresses their main grievances with Hydro.
Bottom Line: The chiefs aren't getting a bonus for a Yes vote. They support the agreement because they feel that it is fair, and it includes a number of benefits above and beyond financial compensation. Here are some quotes from some of the chiefs:
“This agreement will benefit our communities and I hope that our meetings will help people understand what we’re doing,” said Chief Pat Williams of Skátin. “I hope we succeed in what it is that we need to do.”
“It’s a pretty good agreement. It takes into consideration opportunities for community members, and nation members. The opportunities are meant for all St’át’imc members, whether you live on-reserve or off-reserve. We have the opportunity now to see a brighter future for community members. We’ve felt the impacts, but now we have an opportunity where we can receive benefits.” - Chief Garry John Tsal’álh
“This is going to be the first vote we have as a nation. In that respect, it’s going to bring us together and create unity. This is one agreement, I hope there will continue to be more that we can vote on as a nation to keep us moving forward. Unity is my biggest driving force in my position, it’s what keeps me here. We want unity as a nation, and I think these are the small stepping stones that will get us there.” - Chief Ralph Thevarge N’Quátqua
“I think the agreement identifies how we’re going to address all our grievances and the impacts that Hydro had on our territory and our community. I believe in the long term, because of our young population, we’re giving our youth a choice to function within the St’át’imc territory. This gives us an opportunity to put our people to work, so I believe the agreement is a good one.”- Chief Perry Redan Sek’wel’wás
“It’s very important that our members be involved in the decision to move forward on this agreement now that we as leaders have negotiated on behalf of our communities. My great-grandkids will be able to benefit from this agreement, and I’m in support of that. Their livelihood is going to really be enhanced by this agreement. There is a lot of benefit to it now and for our future generations.” - Chief Bradley Jack Xwísten
“We need to ensure that our members now are looked after, but especially our community members in the future, that they would have a legacy fund they would be able to utilize to ensure they have what is needed. The benefit I see for our community now is that we’re going to be taking a transmission line right off the land so we can have prime agricultural land we can utilize in Xaxl’íp.” - Chief Art Adolph Xaxl’íp
To see pictures of the chiefs and all the communities, click this link: http://www.statimchydro.ca/about-us
Be sure to check out the other "Word on the Street" posts:
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Will the chief get a bonus on a ‘Yes’ vote?
http://tinyurl.com/word-on-street1 -
Will the communities have a say in the Trust?
http://tinyurl.com/word-on-street2 -
Will members off-reserve benefit from this agreement?
http://tinyurl.com/word-on-street3 -
Are we surrendering title and rights to our land?
http://tinyurl.com/word-on-street4 -
Can we reach a better deal in the courts?
http://tinyurl.com/word-on-street5