Vancouver Island University (VIU) and Snuneymuxw First Nation are pleased to announce they will co-host a conference on the pre-Confederation treaties of Vancouver Island (also known as the Douglas treaties). The conference will be held at VIU on May 10 and 11, 2012, and is expected to attract a wide cross-section of participants from across Canada including representatives of First Nations.

The conference grows out of a recognized need for further scholarly research, as well as public education, about these distinct Treaties in the history of Canada.  This the first conference of this nature focused on these historic treaties.

The title of the conference is The Pre-Confederation Treaties of Vancouver Island- Fulfilling Treaty Promises and Living in Treaty Relationships. The conference will feature four main themes. These themes will be explored through presentations by panels of scholars and experts, followed by discussions with conference participants.   The four themes for the conference are:

Honouring the Spirit and Intent of the Vancouver Island Treaties 1850-1854- the Challenges of Treaty Interpretation

The Vancouver Island Treaties 1850-1854 - Charting a New Course for Treaty Implementation

The Vancouver Island Treaties 1850-1854 and Decision Making

The Vancouver Island Treaties 1850-1854 – Unleashing the Promise of Economic Development

For more information and to register please visit our website www.vancouverislandtreaties.org