Office of the Premier
Kitsumkalum First Nation and the governments of B.C. and Canada have reached a major milestone in the B.C. treaty process with the signing of an Agreement-in-Principle.
John Rustad, British Columbia’s Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, and Don Roberts, Chief of Kitsumkalum First Nation signed the Agreement-in-Principle during a ceremony today in the First Nation community.
Modern treaties are an important tool to advance reconciliation and economic development for First Nations and all British Columbians.
The Kitsumkalum Agreement-in-Principle provides for approximately 45,406 hectares of land, north and west of Terrace, and a transfer of $44.2 million (to be adjusted for inflation), once a Final Agreement is reached.
The Agreement-in-Principle covers a variety of topics including governance, taxation and resources (forestry, wildlife, water, subsurface resources). Processes for the First Nation transition from an Indian Act band to self-governing treaty First Nation are also set out in the Agreement-in-Principle.
Now that the Agreement-in-Principle has been signed, Final Agreement negotiations will formally begin.
Quotes:
John Rustad, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation –
“Long-term reconciliation with First Nations is one of the most important imperatives of our time, and the Kitsumkalum Agreement-in-Principle is a critical step on that journey. The Agreement-in-Principle sets the stage for greater prosperity and new opportunities for Kitsumkalum members, and a strong economy and secure tomorrow for all residents of northwest B.C.”
Don Roberts, Chief of Kitsumkalum First Nation –
“This is a happy occasion and we are pleased to recognize and celebrate this important milestone. It has been a long process which was initiated by our elders many years ago. Kitsumkalum First Nation has chosen the path for change and this couldn't have been possible without community support and the many years of hard work of our elders and negotiation team. I am proud of these efforts which lay the foundation of self-government and economic independence. This will help bring control to our future within our territory lands of the four crest clans; and with that will follow the economic certainty.”
Quick Facts:
- Kitsumkalum First Nation has co-ordinated efforts and shared resources at a single negotiating table with Kitselas (both are North Coast Tsimshian First Nations) to complete two separate Agreements-in-Principle.
- Kitsumkalum has 745 members; approximately 32% of which live on reserve.
- In April 2013, Kitsumkalum community members voted to approve their Agreement-in-Principle.
- A 2009 report by PricewaterhouseCoopers concluded that completing treaties with First Nations could deliver more than $10 billion in benefits to British Columbia's economy over the next 15 years.
- Progress in the B.C. treaty process includes:
- Tsawwassen First Nation and the five Maa-nulth First Nations implementing their Final Agreements. Yale First Nation and Tla'amin Nation are working towards implementing their respective Final Agreements.
- Nine First Nations in Final Agreement negotiations: In-SHUCK-ch, K'omoks, Wuikinuxv, Yekooche and the Te'mexw Treaty Association First Nations of Songhees, Beecher Bay, T’Sou-ke, Malahat, Snaw-Naw-As. Thirteen First Nations in advanced Agreement-in-Principle negotiations.
Learn More:
For more information about the Kitsumkalum First Nation: kitsumkalum.bc.ca
For more information about the Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation: gov.bc.ca/arr
For more about information about Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada: www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca
For more about the B.C. Treaty Commission: bctreaty.net
A backgrounder follows.
