TERRACE,
BC, June 25, 2024 /CNW/ - Today, Chief
Councillor Don Roberts of the Kitsumkalum First Nation; the
Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Crown-Indigenous
Relations; and the Honourable Murray Rankin, British Columbia Minister of Indigenous
Relations and Reconciliation, marked a significant milestone toward
renewing their Nation-to-Nation relationship. The Chief Negotiators
of all three parties, witnessed by Chief Councillor Roberts,
Minister Anandasangaree and Minister Rankin, have initialled the
draft Kitsumkalum Treaty, demonstrating progress towards
Kitsumkalum implementing their right to self-determination and
realizing their vision of a better future for their
communities.
The initialling of this Kitsumkalum Treaty marks a pivotal step
forward in advancing the Kitsumkalum Treaty negotiation process.
Initialling marks an important milestone in the Treaty journey, as
it signals the conclusion of substantive negotiations and readiness
for the ratification process. Once finalized, the Kitsumkalum
Treaty will undergo a ratification process through a Kitsumkalum
membership vote, and then through federal and provincial
legislation. If successfully ratified by all parties, the Treaty
will constitutionally recognize Kitsumkalum First Nation's Treaty
rights to governance, harvesting, land ownership, resource
management, and other rights and benefits.
In recent years, there have been significant and foundational
shifts in policy and approach that have re-energized the Treaty
negotiations process in B.C., including the finalization of the
Recognition and Reconciliation of Rights Policy for Treaty
Negotiations in 2019. These positive shifts reflect new approaches
to negotiation in line with the United Nations Declaration on the
Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Canada's United Nations Declaration on
the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, and the B.C.
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.
To get to this milestone, engagement activities have taken place
throughout the many years of negotiations. Engaging and informing
First Nation members, local governments, residents, business
organizations, interest holders and other stakeholders, and the
public is an important aspect of Treaty and reconciliation
negotiations and the ratification process.
The close of negotiations signifies the renewal of the
Nation-to-Nation relationship between the Government of
Canada, the Government of
British Columbia and Kitsumkalum
First Nation. If ratified, the Treaty would facilitate the
implementation of Kitsumkalum's right to self-determination,
socio-economic development, and their vision for a better future
for their community members. The parties look forward to finalizing
this important work and to seeing the positive change this historic
agreement will bring to the members of Kitsumkalum First
Nation.
Quotes
"Today marks a historic moment for Kitsumkalum as we take a
significant step towards self-determination and a brighter future
for our community. This Treaty will enable us to manage our lands,
resources, and governance, in alignment with our cultural values
and aspirations."
Chief Councillor Don Roberts
Kitsumkalum First Nation
"When the Agreement-in-Principle was signed, Chief Councillor
Roberts remarked that the Nation has chosen a path for change. The
initialling of this Treaty is a significant positive step forward
on that path together. It is a testament to 30 years of hard work
of the negotiating teams, and engagement from Kitsumkalum members,
people throughout the region, other First Nations, local
governments and industry partners. If ratified, the proposed Treaty
would be a path to self-governance, recognition of rights, vital
resources, and new economic opportunity."
The Honourable Murray Rankin
British Columbia Minister of
Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
"The Kitsumkalum Treaty will be a significant step for the
Kitsumkalum people. This opens the doors to transformative pathways
for self-determination, to advance their rights and governance.
Today marks a positive shift in Nation-to-Nation relationships
based on respect, partnership, and recognition of rights. By
working collaboratively through negotiations, we are actively
advancing reconciliation."
The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations
Quick facts
- Kitsumkalum First Nation is one of more than 200 First Nations
in British Columbia.
- Kitsumkalum and Kitselas are members of the Tsimshian First
Nations Treaty Society, which represents multiple Tsimshian Nations
whose combined territory spans the northwest coast and the lower
Skeena River, including the Prince
Rupert and Terrace
areas.
- Since the early 1990s, Kitsumkalum and Kitselas have been
involved in Treaty negotiations with the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia. These negotiations are now
in the final stage of the BC Treaty Commission Treaty Process.
- For over 30 years, Kitsumkalum First Nation and Kitselas First
Nation have been negotiating their two Treaties together, which
will result in two distinct, separate Treaties. The unique ability
to work together for 30 years demonstrates the close family ties
and collaborative spirit between the two Nations.
- Once fully ratified, Kitsumkalum and Kitselas will join eight
other Nations as the only Modern Treaty holders in British Columbia:
- Maa-nulth First Nations Final Agreement
(Huu-ay-aht,
Ka:'yu:'k't'h'/Che:k'tles7et'h',
Toquaht, Uchucklesaht and Yuułuʔiłʔath
First Nations)
- Nisga'a Final Agreement
- Tla'amin Final Agreement
- Tsawwassen First Nation
Final Agreement
Associated links
- Kitsumkalum Band
- Kitselas Treaty and Kitsumkalum Treaty Negotiations
- The BC Treaty Commission
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SOURCE Indigenous Services Canada