TERRACE,
BC, June 24, 2024 /CNW/ - Today, Chief
Glenn Bennett of the Kitselas 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 towards renewing their nation-to-nation
relationships.
The Chief Negotiators of all three parties, witnessed by these
dignitaries, have initialled the draft Kitselas Treaty,
demonstrating progress towards Kitselas implementing their right to
self-determination and realizing their vision of a better future
for their communities.
This Treaty has been years in the making, building on decades of
dialogue and negotiation to address the historical grievances and
aspirations of the Kitselas people. The initialing of the Kitselas
Treaty marks a pivotal step forward in advancing the Kitselas
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. Some changes may still be made prior to the membership
ratification process, as Crown consultations with neighbouring
First Nations remain ongoing. Once finalized, the Treaty will
undergo a ratification process through a Kitselas membership vote
and through provincial and federal legislation. If successfully
ratified by all parties, the Kitselas Treaty will constitutionally
recognize Kitselas 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 reenergized 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 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 Kitselas
First Nation. If ratified, the Treaty would facilitate the
implementation of Kitselas' right to self-determination,
social-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 Kitselas First Nation.
Quotes
"The Kitselas Treaty will grant us greater control over our
future, including ownership of our lands, self-governance, and
enhanced programs and services. With the financial settlement and
freedom from the constraints of the Indian Act, together the
Citizens of Kitselas will create a better tomorrow. We are pleased
to reach a positive conclusion to the negotiation process."
— Chief Glenn Bennett,
Kitselas First Nation
""The federal government is in the process of undoing the legacy
of colonial policies and moving towards true Nation-to-Nation
relationships based on good faith. Supporting the Kitselas Nation's
priorities for governance and community is a foundational step to
renewing and strengthening our partnership as we move forward. This
Treaty unlocks the transformational road ahead for Kitselas to
self-determine their future – this is lasting, generational change.
Today is cause for celebration."
— The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of
Crown-Indigenous Relations
"The negotiating teams from Kitselas First Nation, Canada and B.C. have worked for decades to get
to this stage. The initialling is particularly moving in light of
the passing of Sm'oogyet Satsan (Mel
Bevan) who worked so hard with so many others to bring a
proposed treaty to the people. If ratified, the Kitselas Treaty
will provide the basis for a revitalized relationship between
Kitselas, their neighbours and all levels of government by
fostering shared understanding, providing certainty and supporting
further work together in the region."
— The Honourable Murray Rankin, British Columbia Minister of Indigenous
Relations and Reconciliation
Quick facts:
- Kitselas and Kitsumkalum 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, Kitselas and Kitsumkalum 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, Kitselas First Nation and Kitsumkalum
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, the Kitselas and Kitsumkalum 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
- Kitselas First Nation
- Kitselas Treaty and Kitsumkalum Treaty Negotiations
- The BC Treaty Commission
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SOURCE Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs
Canada