Another North Coast First Nation has added its voice to calls for a pause in the advancement of provincial legislation introduced last week to ratify a neighbouring nation’s treaty.
Specifically, Gitxaala is urging the B.C. government to suspend second reading of Bill 21 “until its free, prior and informed consent can be given after protocol and accommodation agreements are reached with British Columbia and Kitselas First Nation.”
In a press release April 22, Gitxaala said the hereditary chiefs and elected council have concerns the directly impact Laxyuubm Gitxaała, the north coast territory that it says has been their homeland for more than 10,000 years.
“British Columbia has not upheld the honour of the Crown and accommodated Gitxaała for those adverse impacts; another example of colonial processes impeding on Gitxaała rights and title to our lands, our waters, and our way of life,” the release states.
It says a treaty the treaty process must respect Gitxaała Adaawx (histories), Ayaawx (laws), and Gugwilx’ya’ansk (practices and inherited responsibilities).
“Respecting these laws means negotiating agreements with our Nation to address concerns on how this and other treaties will give away lands, harvesting rights and governance rights to others in Laxyuubm Gitxaała in contravention of Gitxaała laws,” it states.
“While Gitxaała respects that its First Nation neighbours have the choice to pursue modern treaties, there has been no agreement on how to reconcile the treaty rights in the Kitselas Treaty with Gitxaała Adaawx, Ayaawx and Gugwilx’ya’ansk. That conversation remains unfinished.”
Lax Kw’alaams was first out of the gate opposing the legislation’s advancement with a delegation and press conference on outside the Legislature in Victoria on April 15 as MLAs and Kitselas delegates were receiving a technical briefing inside on Bill 21 prior to first reading. First reading passed later in the day.
Lax Kw’alaams also cited inadequate consultation and impacts on overlapping rights and title claims.
Last week, the Province also hit a roadblock with its plans to amend its Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act with Premier David Eby saying the government would not introduce the legislation in the spring session.
DRIPA, an Act committing B.C. to aligning its laws with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, became law in 2019 and has since become the foundation for more than 20 lawsuits challenging existing B.C. laws.
The premier’s efforts to amend DRIPA, have faced staunch opposition from provincial Indigenous leadership, the two Green Party MLAs, and one member of his own caucus, Joan Phillip, MLA for Vancouver Strathcona.