The Treaty will ensure we retain our Aboriginal rights to harvest fish and other fresh and saltwater species, including salmon (hoon), bivalves, marine mammals, aquatic plants, and others.
In the Treaty, Kitselas Citizens will have the right to hunt or trap 12 months a year for our own use anywhere within the Harvest Area. Our right to hunt can only be limited by the need for conservation, public health, and safety.
We will continue to be able to hunt without a licence outside of our Harvest Area, because we will always be recognized as Status Indians under clause 11 of the BC Wildlife Act. Laws related to hunting in BC will still apply after Treaty. We may also be able to hunt in other Treaty First Nations’ Harvest Areas, if the Kitselas Government negotiates an agreement with them.
After Treaty, Kitselas Members will have the right to harvest plants for domestic purposes year-round on provincial Crown lands within the Kitselas Harvest Area. Similar to hunting, our right to gather would only be limited by the need for conservation, public health, and safety.
With Treaty, we will have more control, input, and responsibility for our fisheries and fishing areas, with a permanent role for the Kitselas people in managing these resources.
FAQs About Harvesting
Q: Can we still fish and hunt in our Traditional Territory?
A: Yes. Treaty will protect our rights to fish, hunt, gather, and harvest within our Traditional Territory (Kitselas Harvest Area) forever. These rights would only be limited by the need for conservation, public health, and safety.
Q: Will the Treaty allow Kitselas Members to harvest resources in other First Nations’ Harvest Areas?
A: Possibly. Kitselas Members may be able to hunt or harvest in other Treaty First Nations’ Harvest Areas if the Kitselas Government negotiates agreements with those Nations.
Q: Can Kitselas Members hunt without a license outside of the Kitselas Harvest Area after the Treaty?
A: Yes, Kitselas Members can continue to hunt without a license outside the Kitselas Harvest Area because they will always be recognized as Status Indians under clause 11 of the BC Wildlife Act. However, BC hunting laws will still apply.