It has been more than two years since B.C. and Canada were welcomed to the Tsawwassen First Nation to celebrate the implementation of the province's first treaty concluded under the B.C. Treaty Commission process. Since that day in April, 2009, a second treaty with five First Nations on Vancouver Island has been implemented, and the Yale First Nation has witnessed the introduction of treaty legislation in the provincial legislature that brings them one step closer to their treaty taking effect.

The Tsawwassen First Nation recently released their first implementation report, outlining progress in areas of governance, land management, law making and more. In its first pages the report shows clearly that through treaty, the Tsawwassen First Nation is building opportunity.

Since 2005, when the provincial government began the New Relationship with aboriginal peoples in British Columbia, treaty-making has been one of the top priorities of this ministry, and for good reason. Treaty is a complete package, providing tools for economic and social development, taking First Nations out of the Indian Act and providing governance authority.

The B.C. Treaty Commission, which is a neutral third party in treaty negotiations, published an independent report in 2009, estimating that completing two treaties each year over the next 15 years could boost the provincial economy by $3.2 billion through investment, job creation and economic development. The alternative is costly and lengthy court challenges.

Uncertainty over ownership of land impedes the development of economies within aboriginal traditional territories. Investing in treaties enables First Nations to increase their participation in the economy and reduce reliance on government transfers. Final agreements also encourage investment, stimulate business activity and generate economic benefits for the First Nation, as well as the surrounding region.

Since the Tsawwassen First Nation treaty was implemented over two years ago, we are seeing success as Tsawwassen moves forward on a number of development projects and social programs.

For example, last June, the Tsawwassen First Nation community celebrated the groundbreaking of its new industrial park—Tsawwassen Gateway Logistics Centre—marking its first major economic initiative following the treaty. More recently, in April this year, the Tsawwassen Economic Development Corporation announced an agreement with private sector partners to develop what could potentially become one of British Columbia's signature shopping locations.

Though still in the early planning stages, some 1.8 million square feet of retail, office, entertainment and other uses could be developed. This one project alone could generate over 1,200 person years of employment throughout the construction phase and employ over 4,500 workers once the projects are in operation.

It is not just in economic terms that the Tsawwassen First Nation is beginning to experience success. They have also held their first election as a self-governing First Nation and under the new government structure, their legislature is operating regularly, debating issues and passing laws to improve the lives of their constituents. Other activities of the new government include: a significant re-structuring of the social housing framework; participating in regional government; resolving servicing issues that could delay investment and development; reviewing the local education agreement; working with financial institutions to establish a new home loan program; and negotiating a protocol agreement with the Ministry of Children and Family Development.

These are just a few of Tsawwassen's activities to date. The Tsawwassen First Nation leadership—in particular Chief Kim Baird—deserve congratulations for the tremendous energy and commitment they have shown toward improving the economic and social circumstances of their constituents I encourage all British Columbians to go to the Tsawwassen First Nation website where they can find out for themselves all that the Tsawwassen First Nation government is doing.

I have summarized what Tsawwassen has achieved in two years since their treaty came into effect. It is early days for the Maa-nulth treaty, but I know it will produce great results for the community and the rest of the province. The same will be true for Yale and First Nations that achieve their own treaties in the future.

Historic injustices cannot, and should not, be brought down merely to dollars and cents. British Columbia has a moral and legal obligation to resolve aboriginal rights and title issues.

The social requirement is obvious and pressing; aboriginal people must enjoy the same quality of life as other British Columbians. Yet, at this point in time, they do not. There is no doubt that B.C. is now moving in the right direction. However reconciliation occurs, it is one of the foundations of the New Relationship along with respect and recognition, and we will continue to build that relationship incrementally, one community at a time, recognizing that each First Nations community is unique.

I encourage everyone to learn about the benefits of negotiating treaties for themselves. As 21st century British Columbians and Canadians, perhaps we don't bear the brunt of responsibility for what happened to First Nations and other aboriginal peoples over a hundred years ago, but we do bear the responsibility for trying to resolve the injustices created by them today.

I think the late Chief Lawrence Hope of Yale First Nation put it very eloquently when he said: "We...accept you as a people. You have taken up the land and used it for your own good and that's fine. Now give us a chance to use some of that land for our own good and improve our economy and dignity—and not only my dignity, but your dignity also."

Mary Polak is the B.C. minister of aboriginal relations and reconciliation.