The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs is stepping into the growing fray over two new First Nations treaties currently before the provincial legislature, calling for a pause until outstanding land claims by other tribes are resolved.
“Reconciliation cannot be achieved through incomplete or unilateral processes,” Grand Chief Stewart Phillip said in a Wednesday news release. “Moving forward without resolving shared territory and overlap issues risks undermining relationships between nations and creating long-term uncertainty.”
The two treaties under consideration include one with the K’ómoks First Nation on Vancouver Island and another with the Kitselas First Nation, based near Terrace.
The Wei Wai Kum First Nation takes issue with the K’omoks treaty, arguing that it impacts 80 per cent of the band’s territory, while the Nine Allied Tribes and Lax Kw’alaams Band say the Kitselas treaty affects 90 per cent of their overall territory.
A delegation from these nations appeared outside the legislature earlier in the week, threatening to erect roadblocks on Highway 16 or shut down major projects in response.
Phillip said this situation stems from “longstanding issues with Crown negotiation practices.”
B.C. Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Minister Spencer Chandra Herbert says the disagreement shows the need for more relationship-building between nations.
“Because we’ve already had many consultations and are working around accommodation issues with those nations,” he told reporters at the legislature on Thursday.
He said the decision to bring the treaties forward in the legislature follows “years and years and years” of consultation with affected nations.