APTN National News
About 2,000 members of five Vancouver Island First Nations are now out from under the Indian Act.
After 18 years of negotiations, the alliance known collectively as the Maa-nulth, are now self-governing.
It was deal, however, that was reached despite controversy.
The Maa-nulth gathered on Saturday to mark the historic occasion and APTN National News reporter Rob Smith was there.
