VICTORIA - The provincial government is encouraged by the federal government's announcement of an independent body to resolve specific land claims with First Nations across Canada, said Premier Gordon Campbell today.

"Prime Minister Harper's announcement demonstrates that the federal government is prepared to take progressive steps to reconcile specific claims that have remained unresolved in British Columbia for decades," said Campbell. "We look forward to working with both the federal government and First Nations in B.C. to bring closure to these long standing issues."

"We're building a New Relationship with First Nations and have made a commitment to close the social and economic gaps that exist between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people over the next decade. The federal government's announcement will help pave the way to reconciliation of issues that have frustrated government relations with First Nations for
generations," said Michael De Jong, Minster of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation.

Specific claims arise from the federal government's breach or non-fulfillment of lawful obligations found in treaties, agreements or statutes (including the Indian Act). There are over 800 specific claims currently working their way through the current specific claims process - almost half of these are situated in British Columbia.