Kitselas First Nation Treaty – Rush to Ratification

Dear Messrs. Osendarp and Lofthouse:

Gitxaała is disappointed that Kitselas First Nation has set April 10th as the date for its members’ ratification vote for the proposed Kitselas Treaty without having reached a protocol agreement with Gitxaała.

A protocol agreement is required because the proposed Kitselas Treaty will adversely affect Gitxaała Aboriginal title and rights held by the Smgyigyet (Hereditary chiefs) to Nɫuut’iksgm Laxyuubm Gitxaała (traditional territory).

• The proposed Kitselas Treaty will grant coastal sites in fee simple and treaty settlement lands in fee simple to Kitselas within Nɫuut’iksgm Laxyuubm Gitxaała.
• The proposed Kitselas Treaty will confer various treaty rights to Kitselas that can be exercised within Nɫuut’iksgm Laxyuubm Gitxaała (harvesting fish, wildlife, and forest resources; co-management rights over natural resources, etc.).

Gitxaała has tried over the past 18 months to engage in substantive discussions with Kitselas about these issues and to reach a protocol agreement that to reconcile the exercise of Kitselas’ treaty rights in Nɫuut’iksgm Laxyuubm Gitxaała with Gitxaała Aboriginal title and rights.

• The first substantive discussion between Gitxaała and Kitselas only occurred on February 6th 2025, a mere two months before the scheduled ratification vote on April 10th
• Kitselas had been negotiating the proposed treaty for 30 years
• Now, there are only 8 weeks left to attempt to reconcile the exercise of Kitselas’ treaty rights in Nɫuut’iksgm Laxyuubm Gitxaała with Gitxaała Aboriginal title and rights

Gitxaała cannot understand the rush to ratify before an enduring protocol is reached between the two nations.

We look forward to continuing to meet with the Crown governments on this important process.

Sincerely,
GITXAAŁA

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