As Canada prepares to observe National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on
September 30, true reconciliation in action is happening in northern BC with the Kitselas First
Nation’s Treaty.
Right now, Kitselas is preparing to vote on the final draft of the Treaty in April 2025. If approved by
Kitselas Members, the Treaty will remove Kitselas First Nation from under the Indian Act –
arguably one of the most oppressive laws in Canada’s history. This is the first modern Treaty to be
signed in over a decade and has taken over 30 years of negotiation to reach this critical point.
“Our aim through treaty ratification is to end the legacy of colonialism and have Kitselas’
Aboriginal Rights and Title fully recognized,” said Chief Glenn Bennett, Kitselas First Nation.
“Treaty will help revitalize our culture, unlock economic opportunities, and close socio-economic
gaps faced by generations of our people. By fostering the co-existence of Crown and First
Nations governments, the Treaty will ensure shared prosperity and build constitutionally
entrenched, nation-to-nation, government-to-government relationships,” Bennett added.
If successfully ratified by all parties, the Kitselas Treaty will constitutionally recognize Kitselas First
Nation’s Treaty rights to governance, harvesting, land ownership, resource management, and
other rights and benefits.
“Modern treaties are fundamentally reshaping Canada for the better because modern treaties and
self-government agreements are actually working,” explained Dr. David Try, PhD, Senior Treaty
Negotiator / Director Treaty.
“A Kitselas Treaty sets the groundwork to rebuild our communities based on our values and terms,
rather than living under the Indian Act – a broken, unequal, and oppressive law from a long-dead
past. Becoming a self-governing Nation based on our traditions, culture, and values, and with
transparency and accountability to Kitselas Citizens is our ultimate goal.”
The Kitselas Treaty Team is currently touring northeast BC and Alberta, meeting with Members as
well as non-Members who may also be eligible to enrol. Other BC tours are planned for this Fall.
These meetings focus on informing Members on the Treaty’s positive impact(s) and encouraging
enrolment leading up to the planned April 2025 vote.
This vote is crucial and marks a significant milestone as, alongside Kitsumkalum First Nation and
K’omoks First Nation, these are the first Treaties to reach this final stage in the Treaty process in
over a decade.
