“A wrench has been thrown into the Tsawwassen treaty. A native organization representing up to 40 per cent of bands in the province is urging the prime minister to hold off on ratification until another local band with overlapping claims is consulted. The Tsawwassen First Nation is expected to hold a ratification vote in July on the agreement initialed with senior governments last December. The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs’ president, Chief Stewart Phillip, as well as vice-president, Chief Robert Shintah, and secretary-treasurer, Chief Mike Retasket, signed the letter. The intervention is on behalf of the Hwlitsum First Nation and involves a number of issues, including land claims at Canoe Pass and fishing rights.” (03/17/07)