The principles found here have guided the Northern Secwepemc te Qelmucw NStQ lands and resources treaty negotiations to date. They have been developed as a result of our community visioning exercises, treaty working group meetings, natural resources department, band meetings, annual meetings, negotiations and review of other treaties and legal decisions from around the world. They are subject to revision and are without prejudice.

Forestry

• NStQ will steward all forest resources on NStQ Lands
• NStQ may make laws relating to Forest Resources and Forest Activities applicable to NStQ Lands
• Management standards will meet or exceed provincial standards, safety and conservation, for example.
• NStQ will be responsible for Forest Health and Fire Management on NStQ Lands, although they may enter into agreements with the Province in these areas.
• The NStQ will establish a research forest on NStQ Land that will incorporate NStQ traditional knowledge in forest management. A research trust fund will be established.
• NStQ licensees will need to hire 75% NStQ contractors to complete the necessary prescriptions within 5 years of the Final Agreement.
• In the interim, NStQ will be involved in forest management across the territory as per the Memorandum of Understanding signed with MoF in September of 2000. It sets out a consistent, more appropriate level of consultation, including an increase in proactive planning.

• NStQ may make laws in relation to the Environmental Assessment of projects on NStQ Lands.
• No Federal or Provincial project on NStQ Lands will proceed without the consent of the NStQ.
• If a proposed project outside of NStQ Lands is expected to have adverse effects on NStQ Lands, or NStQ rights, Canada or BC will ensure that the NStQ is consulted and receives an opportunity to participate in any environmental assessment related to those effects.
• NStQ may make laws applicable on NStQ Lands for the protection and conservation of the environment, including enforcement.
• NStQ laws will need to meet or exceed Federal and Provincial laws, for example with regard to conservation.
• NStQ may enter into agreements with Canada or BC in relation to environmental protection.
• In the interim, the NStQ have signed a consultation agreement with Ministry of Environment to ensure our interests our addressed (signed in September 2000).

• The territory has always been and remains Secwepemcul’ecw.
• NStQ will negotiate to meet our current and future needs through a combination of land ownership and jurisdiction, guaranteed access and shared decision-making and management.
• NStQ Lands will meet needs for community expansion and infrastructure, ranching, economic development, water rights and watershed protection, protection of important cultural and natural sites, forest resources, fishing and fish habitat protection, hunting and wildlife habitat protection, plant resources, agriculture, community recreation and healing.
• NStQ will be involved in the management of the territory as a whole; the depth of our jurisdiction footprint will vary, but it will cover all of our lands.
• NStQ will negotiate for quality lands that will provide sustainable use for generations to come.
• NStQ will negotiate for resource revenue sharing, for example a tax for pipeline access or other non-NStQ land use on NStQ Lands.

• The conservation of NStQ culture and their relationship to the land, and the natural environment itself, are key components of our Parks and Protected Areas ("Parks") negotiations.
• New Parks will be established on NStQ Lands, subject to NStQ laws and policies.
• NStQ Parks will be managed to reflect NStQ interests, recognizing the importance of public safety, conservation, and other values NStQ share with Canada and British Columbia.
• NStQ Lands may include existing Parks or portions thereof. (Parks designations, boundaries and planning have been and are subject to treaty negotiations.)
• NStQ will be involved in the establishment of any new National or Provincial Parks to be located within the NStQ Territory.
• New Parks may be established as a result of our negotiations. These Parks may be co-managed between the NStQ, other First Nations and/or BC Parks and Parks Canada.
• NStQ will participate in, and have decision-making authority over, the development and implementation of any planning, of any historical, archaeological or scientific research, or the management of heritage resources within Parks.
• NStQ will continue to have rights to harvest fish, wildlife and plant resources and to hold ceremonies or other cultural activities within National and Provincial Parks located within NStQ Territory, subject to public safety and conservation.

• NStQ wildlife negotiations will reflect the NStQ principle that respect is necessary for the balance between animals, lands and plants to be maintained.
• NStQ wildlife negotiations will address the NStQ right to manage habitat and conserve resources, as well as to harvest the resource for food, ceremonial and economic benefit.
• NStQ harvesting rights will be subject to conservation and public safety, but will otherwise be of primary consideration in all allocations and be in affect across the territory.
• NStQ may follow the Nisga’a example and negotiate for equal decision-making powers with the provincial wildlife branch, as part of a regional Wildlife Committee.
• Economic development and other negotiations will consider the need to maintain and restore habitats and conserve species.
• We are currently gathering data on wildlife species, issues and habitat to inform our negotiations. An extensive report will be prepared for 2002.

• NStQ fish negotiations will reflect the NStQ principle that respect is necessary for the balance between animals, lands and plants to be maintained.
• NStQ fish negotiations will address the NStQ right to manage habitat and conserve resources, as well as to harvest the resource for food, ceremonial and economic benefit.
• Fisheries management will be included as part of the overall management of watersheds.
• NStQ fishing rights will be subject to conservation and public safety, but will otherwise be of primary consideration in all allocations and be in affect across the territory.
• NStQ will have jurisdiction and ownership over fishing sites and fish resources within NStQ Lands, as well as guaranteed access throughout the territory.
• We are currently gathering data on fish species, issues and habitat to inform our negotiations. An extensive report will be made available in February of 2002.
• Economic opportunities in the fishery are being considered, including commercial harvesting, where sustainability allows.

• NStQ Water negotiations will address community water needs for economic, social and spiritual needs.
• Watersheds will be managed to reflect all users and their needs, including wildlife and fish.
• Overburden on water systems and water quality concerns will be addressed through our negotiations.
• NStQ will manage water resources on NStQ Lands.
• Water allocations will consider the needs of future generations.

• All NStQ heritage sites will remain under NStQ jurisdiction.
• NStQ will control the interpretation of their culture across Canada.