Kitselas Treaty Settlement Lands
With Treaty, Kitselas will receive approximately 95,000 acres (around 380 square kilometres) as our Kitselas Treaty Settlement Lands (TSL or Kitselas Lands). The Kitselas Lands include our current Indian Reserves. Our Kitselas Lands are 35 times bigger than our current Kitselas Indian Reserves (10.65 square kilometres) and three times larger than the city of Vancouver.
The Kitselas People will be the registered owners of all Kitselas Lands. After the Effective Date of the Treaty, the Kitselas Government will make the laws regarding Kitselas Lands, the ownership of parcels of lands within our TSL, and how the land is used:
- for recreation;
- commercial projects; and
- for private use (land ownership by homeowners).
Kitselas Harvest Area
The Treaty establishes an approximately two million-acre Kitselas Harvest Area, which we currently call our Traditional Territory.
The Treaty confirms and defines our rights within the Kitselas Harvest Area and ensures our Aboriginal Rights and Title are protected under the Constitution of Canada.
We will have these protected rights within the Kitselas Area:
the right to be consulted and accommodated;
- the right to fish, gather, and harvest; and
- the right to participate in and initiate planning.
FAQs about Kitselas Lands
Q: How much land does Kitselas own now compared to after the Treaty?
A: Kitselas currently owns around 6,500 acres. Post-Treaty, they will own approximately 95,000 acres.
Q: What is the estimated value of Kitselas land post-Treaty?
A: The estimated value is between $100 and $200 million, with LiDAR surveys helping assess its potential.
Q: What happens if we don’t vote ‘yes’ for the Treaty?
A: If the Treaty isn’t approved, Kitselas will retain joint ownership of certain lands like Port Essington Indian Reserve, but other lands will remain Crown land.
Q: What is the Kitselas Harvest Area?
A: The Kitselas Harvest Area is what we currently call our Traditional Territory. The Treaty confirms and defines our rights within the Kitselas Harvest Area and ensures our Aboriginal Rights and Title are protected under the Constitution of Canada.