Kwikwetlem memebers gathered outside the band office to denounce Chief Giesbrecht .
The main objective of any treaty signed by both the Aboriginals and the government is to reconcile the two parties’ respective claims and interests. The management of relationships has taken place in the shadow of a long, turbulent history.
An article from the National Post emphasizes on a reoccurring issue- where the government attempts to cross the line while trading with the Aboriginals. The Kwikwetlem First Nations of Vancouver have discovered that their chief collected an $800,000 surplus for agreeing with the government to give away 236 hectares of land.
According to the Indian and Northern Affair Canada guidebook , a claim needs be agreed upon by the chief as well as the people in order to proceed to in-depth framework agreements.
In this case, the government had not only disappointed its people, but it had also demonstrated a case of unethical business practice. The act of paying the chief a bonus amount in order to achieve its objective destroys the purpose of treaties, agreements and the legal system/process. I think this is a serious issue that should be dealt with in order to prevent similar cases that occur in the future.
Indian and Northern Affair Canada:http://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/DAM/DAM-INTER-HQ/STAGING/texte-text/rul_1100100014175_eng.pdf