There are a number of types of funding that are not included in the treaty which have been negotiated together with the treaty. These funds will start to flow before the Effective Date. This includes such funding as capital infrastructure, commercial fishing licenses, economic development and implementation. Access to these funds is scheduled to commence with the April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009 fiscal year.

Q: Preparing for Effective Date sounds like an expensive process; where will this money come from?
A: We have two sources of funding available to finance the costs of preparation for the Effective Date. The BC Treaty Commission has confirmed that they will continue to fund Maa-nulth as we prepare for treaty. BCTC can not provide any further negotiation loans however they will carry on with the same level of grant funding as in past years of approximately $400,000 per year.

In addition we have negotiated with Canada for $1.6 million of implementation funding. Canada has confirmed that this funding should start to flow commencing with the April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009 fiscal year.

Maa-nulth will be seeking additional implementation funding to finance the costs of preparation for the Effective Date.

Q: How is it that we can still be involved with NTC fisheries litigation if we have already negotiated fisheries allocations in our treaty?
A: Ultimately, those Maa-nulth First Nations involved in the fisheries litigation will need to withdraw from the litigation before the Treaty comes into effect.

Q: Will there be a collective effort made by all Maa-nulth First Nations to increase our post-secondary graduation rates in preparation for Effective Date and the future responsibilities we will have? How closely will Maa-nulth First Nations work together from this point on?
A: It has always been our understanding that post secondary is a priority for each of the Maa-nulth First Nations. The leadership and community members will ultimately make these decisions as self government begins. For example: the People's Assembly can facilitate discussions with membership on;

1. Is this a political goal
2. If it is a political goal, how are we going to pay for it?
3. How are we going to implement it?
4. Is there a benefit to working with other Maa-nulth First Nations towards this goal?

Q: Will the Maa-nulth First Nations be creating a Spiritual & Healing Centre in the future?
A: During the treaty process, first as NTC and then subsequently as Maa-nulth, funding was negotiated for a healing centre. The total funding negotiated for the NTC Nations was $3 million. Maa-nulth's share of this funding, which amounts to $1.25 million, is included in the treaty as capital transfer funding and will be paid to the Maa-nulth Nations over 10 years commencing on the Effective Date.

It will be up to each Maa-nulth Nation to decide if it wishes to work together with the other Maa-nulth Nations to create and operate a healing centre. If the Nations wish to work together they would pool the $1.25 million and create the centre. If the Nations wish to work independently then it would be up to each Nation to determine how it would utilize the funding for healing.

Q: Are we going to continue to have access to programs and services up to and after the Effective Date?
A: The Treaty assures continued access to equivalent programs and services available other First Nations in BC up to and after the Effective Date.

Q: Will implementation see an increase in involvement from BC and Canada as they help us to prepare, or will it be the opposite?
A: Both governments have a vested interest in assisting the Maa-nulth First Nations to get to a healthy post treaty stage and have stated that they will play an active role in achieving this.

Q: Who, if anyone, will monitor the progress & quality of governance during initial years following the Effective Date?
A: There are three levels of accountability to monitor progress and quality of governance post Effective Date, they are;

1. The respective First Nations governments
2. The communities through the People's Assembly as contemplated in the First Nations' Constitutions and through elections
3. The treaty through the 15 year review

Q: Will the legal team be prepared to provide community consultation on draft laws in urban areas as well as in the main communities?
A: Yes, the legal team will make themselves available to work with the citizens of each First Nation as requested on draft laws.