Canada, British Columbia and Wei Wai Kum and Kwiakah First Nations Advance to Final Stage of Treaty Negotiations
News release
August 16, 2019 — Campbell River, BC — Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada — British Columbia Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation — Wei Wai Kum First Nation — Kwiakah First Nation
The governments of Canada and British Columbia and the Wei Wai Kum and Kwiakah First Nations have signed a new agreement that will advance reconciliation and treaty negotiations.
Chief Christopher Roberts of the Wei Wai Kum First Nation, Chief Steven Dick of the Kwiakah First Nation, the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, federal Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, and the Honourable Scott Fraser, British Columbia's Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, signed the Wei Wai Kum First Nation/Kwiakah First Nation Transition to Stage 5 and Treaty Revitalization Agreement. The Agreement will advance treaty negotiations to the final stage and guide the parties in the development of a treaty approach that recognizes the rights of Wei Wai Kum and Kwiakah First Nations.
This new strategy explicitly recognizes that Aboriginal rights are inherent and will not be extinguished or surrendered. It seeks to build a collaborative government-to-government relationship that is flexible and able to adapt to changing circumstances over time.
Under this approach to treaty making, key elements such as self-government, land ownership and stewardship, and law-making authorities will be written into a constitutionally protected core treaty. Administrative and policy matters may be addressed through supplementary agreements that can be more easily amended, allowing for the government-to-government relationship to evolve as laws, policies and interests change. This approach makes room for a treaty relationship that is flexible and able to adapt over time.
Working as partners and developing new innovative approaches to government-to-government agreements is key to achieving reconciliation and supporting healthy and prosperous Indigenous communities in Canada.
Quotes
"It has been a long journey to reach the milestone of Stage 5 of the BC Treaty process, and is the result of hard work by all involved. We appreciate the commitment the Governments of Canada and B.C. have made to recognize Wei Wai Kum Nation's rights as defined under the United Nations Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples as we continue on this path to achieving true reconciliation and management over our traditional territory."
Chief Christopher Roberts
Wei Wai Kum First Nation
"Kwiakah First Nation is pleased to be able to take this important step in the treaty process. In the spirit of reconciliation we look forward to working with both the Federal and Provincial Government's to achieve a treaty that will respect the rights and title of Kwiakah Citizens."
Chief Steven Dick
Kwiakah First Nation
"Working collaboratively with the Wei Wai Kum and Kwiakah First Nations to develop new approaches to advance their treaty negotiations is key to reconciliation and supporting their vision of self-determination. This Agreement demonstrates that the Government of Canada is committed to reconciliation with First Nations through the affirmation of rights, respect, cooperation and partnership."
The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, M.D., P.C., M.P.
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations
"Today marks an important milestone on the path of reconciliation with the Wei Wai Kum and Kwiakah. Our Government is committed to advancing reconciliation with Indigenous partners through treaties, and other agreements, which are based on lasting government-to-government relationships and recognition of the inherent rights of Indigenous peoples. This new approach to treaty making will create agreements that can evolve over time and respect the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples."
The Honourable Scott Fraser
British Columbia Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
Associated links
Contacts
For more information, media may contact:
Matthew Dillon-Leitch
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Carolyn Bennett
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations
819-997-0002
Media Relations
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
819-934-2302
RCAANC.media.CIRNAC@canada.ca
Sarah Plank
Media Relations
Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
250-208-9621
Linda Campbell
Treaty Administrator
Wei Wai Kum and Kwiakah First Nations
250-286-6949
lindacampbell@weiwaikum.ca
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